California is the 13th most well-connected state of the country with several internet options available to its residents. Nearly 96% of Californians have direct access to at least 100 Mbps of broadband internet. Charter Spectrum, Comcast Xfinity, AT&T, Cox, and EarthLink are some of the top-performing providers in the state. However, the best one for you depends on where you live and how you use the internet. This is exactly what we are going to discuss in this article today, how to find the best internet provider in California. So, without wasting more time, let us dive right into it:

What Type of Connections Are Available in California?

Being a popular state of the country, California has access to different types of internet services including DSL, Cable, Satellite, and Fiber-Optic Internet.

DSL: DSL internet uses your phone line to transmit high-speed internet, but unlike dial-up, in this type of connection, you can simultaneously use phone and internet services. Although DSL is an old technology, it is still a viable option in most areas of California due to the unavailability of wired services. AT&T is a reputable DSL service provider in the US serving millions of customers with its outstanding facilities. DSL internet plans by AT&T start from $35 per month. 

Cable: In this network, internet data is transmitted over copper cable wires that deliver faster service than a DSL connection. Maximum download speeds in cable internet range from 100 Mbps to 400 Mbps in select areas. The only downside of cable internet is that the network is shared among local residents of an area. This means that during peak times when everybody is surfing the web, you might experience slower speeds. Nevertheless, cable internet is a good choice in terms of reliability and consistency. Charter Spectrum is one of the largest cable service providers in the country serving millions of customers in 44 states. The best part about Spectrum Internet is that no matter which plan you choose, you always get unlimited data at affordable rates. 

Fiber-Optic: Fiber internet is the fastest internet connection in the country with speeds going up to 940 Mbps in some areas. This technology is expanding rapidly in California, and in the upcoming years, almost every resident in the state will be able to enjoy super-fast speeds. However, for now, most Californians would have to resort to a cable internet because fiber internet is only available in around 35% of the state. The main reason for the limited availability of fiber internet is its extensive infrastructure that needs to be installed in the given area for super-fast speeds. Providers in the country are reluctant to make such huge investments because they might not get the desired returns. Verizon and Frontier are some of the best fiber internet providers in California. 

Satellite: Satellite internet is virtually available throughout the country. You just need a clear view of the southern sky to receive satellite signals on your dish, which is installed on your rooftop by a satellite internet provider. Due to technical constraints, satellite internet can be slower and more expensive than the rest of the connection in California. However, it is the only option in some rural areas of the state, which is why users have to install it to get online. HughesNet is one of the leading providers of satellite internet in the country.  

Top Internet Providers in My Area

Now that you are aware of the types of services available in your area, it is time to discuss the best service providers that offer decent speeds at economical rates.

  1. Charter Spectrum – Best for No-Contract Agreements
  2. Comcast Xfinity – Best for Fastest Internet Speeds
  3. AT&T – Best for Customer Support
  4. HughesNet – Best for Rural Satellite Internet
  5. Verizon – Best for Fiber-Optic Internet
  6. CenturyLink – Best for Business Organizations
  7. Frontier Communications – Best for Economical Prices

Here is a quick overview of the top-performing internet providers and their plans:

Internet Provider AT&T FiOS by Verizon HughesNet Frontier Spectrum CenturyLink Xfinity
Best for Customer service Fiber internet Satellite internet Cheap internet Bundling Business internet Fastest Top Speed
Connection type DSL, Fiber-Optic Fiber-Optic Satellite DSL, Fiber-Optic Cable, Fiber-Optic DSL, Fiber-Optic Fiber-Optic
Prices starting at $35/mo. $40/mo. $60/mo. $45/mo. $50/mo. $50/mo. $30/mo.
Download speeds (Mbps) DSL: 0.2-100 Fiber: 100–1,000 DSL: 0.5-15 Fiber: 200–940 25 DSL: 1-115 Fiber: 50–940 Cable: 100–940 DSL: 1.5-100 Fiber: 40– 1,000 Fiber: 15–2,000
Wi-Fi hotspot access × ×
Month-to-month option × ×
Data cap 1 TB Unlimited Up to 50 GB Unlimited Unlimited 1 TB 1 TB


These are the top internet service provider in the Californian state. Make sure to check the provider’s availability in your particular area before comparing their plans. Simply enter your zip code and street address on Local Cable Deals and the website will display all the viable options in your region. 

 

Author

Sumit is a Tech and Gadget freak and loves writing about Android and iOS, his favourite past time is playing video games.

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