INTERNET GUIDE
Internet Providers in California
California’s dense coastal job centers often have multiple competitive internet choices, while mountain, desert, and far-northern communities can face limited availability because distance and terrain make network expansion costly. When comparing plans, check the exact address—not just the provider’s statewide footprint—especially if you work in technology, entertainment, agriculture, or logistics.
Speed Availability in California
Maximum download speeds available by census block
gigabit speeds available
Source: FCC Broadband Data Collection · 406,650 census blocks analyzed
California Broadband at a Glance
- California’s BEAD allocation is $1,864,136,553, funding broadband deployment to unserved and underserved locations statewide. [Source]
- California’s BEAD plan identifies more than 1 million unserved or underserved locations, including many in remote rural communities. [Source]
- California’s middle-mile initiative received $3.25 billion to construct roughly 10,000 fiber miles, including difficult rural routes. [Source]
- Santa Monica’s municipal City Net launched in 2015 and provides businesses symmetrical connectivity up to 10 Gbps. [Source]
California’s Internet Landscape
California’s internet history began with research networking: UCLA hosted the first ARPANET node in October 1969, while the Stanford Research Institute in Menlo Park became the second. The University of California, Stanford, and other institutions later connected through regional research networks, including BARRNET in the Bay Area and CERFnet in San Diego during the 1980s. The nonprofit Corporation for Education Network Initiatives in California (CENIC), founded in 1997, eventually linked the state’s universities, colleges, libraries, and research institutions through the California Research and Education Network. Commercial access expanded in the late 1980s and 1990s through California-founded providers such as Netcom, established in San Jose in 1988, followed by cable modem and DSL deployment by companies including Pacific Bell and major cable operators. Broadband policy also became more active after the 1996 Telecommunications Act; California created the California Advanced Services Fund in 2007 to support unserved and underserved communities.
Find Your City
Internet by City in California
Internet availability varies significantly by address. Select your city to see which providers serve your area and compare options.
Major Cities
Los Angeles
Pop. 3,820,914Los Angeles, home to 3,820,914 residents, has 17 internet providers offering fiber, cable, and fixed-wireless connections. AT&T and Spectrum are among the providers with broad coverage, while available speeds reach up to 8.0 Gbps, including fiber options. Check your specific address to confirm available providers, technologies, and speeds.
San Diego
Pop. 1,388,320San Diego has 16 internet providers offering fiber, cable, and fixed wireless service, with speeds reaching up to 8.0 Gbps. AT&T and Cox Communications serve many areas, while Verizon also provides coverage. Check your specific address to compare available providers, technologies, and speeds.
San Jose
Pop. 969,655San Jose, California, with a population of 969,655, has 19 internet providers offering fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections. AT&T and Xfinity are among the providers with broad coverage, while available speeds reach up to 10.0 Gbps. Check your specific address to confirm availability, technology, and speeds.
San Francisco
Pop. 808,988San Francisco has 15 internet providers, including Sonic.net, AT&T, and Xfinity. Available technologies include fiber, cable, and fixed wireless, with maximum speeds reaching 10.0 Gbps; check your specific address to confirm which providers, connection types, and speeds are available at your location.
Fresno
Pop. 545,716Fresno, California, has internet service for its population of 545,716 through 14 providers, including AT&T and Xfinity. Residents can choose among fiber, cable, and fixed wireless connections, with advertised speeds reaching 5.0 Gbps; fiber service is available in the city. Check your specific address to confirm providers, technologies, and speeds available.
Sacramento
Pop. 526,384Sacramento, home to 526,384 residents, has 16 internet providers, including AT&T and Xfinity. Service options include fiber, cable, and fixed wireless, with maximum advertised speeds reaching 7.0 Gbps; fiber is available in the city. Check your specific Sacramento address to confirm available providers, technologies, and speeds.
Long Beach
Pop. 449,468Long Beach, California, has 14 internet providers serving its 449,468 residents, including Frontier and AT&T among the providers with broad coverage. Options include fiber, cable, and fixed wireless service, with maximum available speeds reaching 7.0 Gbps; check your specific address to see which plans and technologies are available.
Oakland
Pop. 436,504Oakland, California, has 14 internet providers serving its population of 436,504, with Sonic.net, AT&T, and Xfinity among the providers with broad coverage. Residents can choose fiber, cable, or fixed wireless connections, with maximum available speeds reaching 10.0 Gbps. Check your specific address to confirm available plans and technologies.
More Cities in California
Bakersfield • Anaheim • Stockton • Riverside • Irvine • Santa Ana • Chula Vista • Fremont • Santa Clarita • San Bernardino • Modesto • Fontana • Moreno Valley • Oxnard • Huntington Beach • Glendale • Ontario • Elk Grove • Santa Rosa • Rancho Cucamonga • Oceanside • Garden Grove • Lancaster • Palmdale • Corona • Salinas • Roseville • Hayward • Sunnyvale • Escondido • Pomona • Visalia
Provider Guide
California Internet Providers
Statewide Players
T-Mobile
1144 citiesT-Mobile internet service is available in approximately 1,144 California cities and uses licensed fixed wireless technology with speeds up to 100 Mbps, making it a practical option for households seeking home internet where wired service may be limited. Availability and performance can vary by address, so check whether fiber, cable, or DSL is also available at your location before choosing a plan.
View T-Mobile detailsAT&T
1122 citiesAT&T internet is available in approximately 1,122 California cities, with copper, fiber, and licensed fixed wireless options and speeds up to 5,000 Mbps where fiber is available. It can work well for both everyday users and high-bandwidth households, but service varies by address, so check whether fiber, copper/DSL, or fixed wireless is offered at your location before subscribing.
View AT&T detailsVerizon
1118 citiesVerizon internet is available in approximately 1,118 California cities and uses licensed fixed wireless technology, with maximum speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps. It may work well for households needing fast connectivity where fixed wireless coverage is available, so check your address for service availability, exact speeds, and whether fiber or DSL alternatives are offered.
View Verizon detailsViasat Carrier Services Inc
625 citiesViasat Carrier Services Inc offers gso satellite internet service across 625 locations with speeds up to 25 Mbps. Check availability at your address to see specific plans and pricing.
Viasat Carrier Services IncFrontier
586 citiesFrontier offers copper, fiber internet service across 586 locations with speeds up to 7.0 Gbps. Check availability at your address to see specific plans and pricing.
View Frontier detailsSpectrum
531 citiesSpectrum offers cable, fiber internet service across 531 locations with speeds up to 1.0 Gbps. Check availability at your address to see specific plans and pricing.
View Spectrum detailsRegional Providers
Optimum
68 citiesOptimum internet service is available in approximately 68 California cities, covering about 46% of the state, and uses cable technology with speeds up to 940 Mbps. It may work well for households that stream, game, or connect multiple devices, though availability and actual performance can vary by address. Check your location for service options and confirm the available plan before signing up.
View Optimum details101Netlink
61 cities101Netlink offers licensed fixed wireless internet service in approximately 61 California cities, covering about 41% of the state, with maximum speeds up to 100 Mbps. It may work well for homes and small businesses in areas without reliable wired broadband, though performance can depend on line of sight and local conditions; check whether fiber, cable, or DSL is available at your address. Enter your address on the provider’s website to confirm service availability and expected speeds.
101NetlinkAyera Technologies Inc
54 citiesAyera Technologies Inc provides licensed fixed wireless internet service in approximately 54 California cities, covering about 36% of the state, with maximum speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It may work well for homes and businesses seeking high-speed connectivity where wired options are limited; check whether fixed wireless coverage and the advertised speed are available at your address before choosing a plan.
Ayera Technologies IncStarry Inc
54 citiesStarry Inc provides internet service in approximately 54 California cities, covering about 36% of the state, through fiber and licensed fixed wireless technologies with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It may suit households seeking fast connectivity, but availability and performance can vary depending on whether fiber or fixed wireless is offered at your address, so check your address and compare plan details before signing up.
View Starry Inc detailsSonic.net
47 citiesSonic.net offers fiber internet service in approximately 47 California cities, covering about 32% of the state, with speeds up to 10,000 Mbps. It may suit households that stream, work from home, or connect multiple devices, but availability and speeds can vary by address, so check whether fiber service is offered at your location before signing up.
Sonic.netZito Media
40 citiesZito Media provides cable and fiber internet service in approximately 40 California cities, covering about 27% of the state, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It can work well for households that need reliable connectivity for streaming, gaming, remote work, or multiple devices, but available technology and speeds vary by address. Check your address to confirm whether cable or fiber service is available and compare the plan options.
Zito MediaEtheric Networks
40 citiesEtheric Networks provides internet service in approximately 40 California cities, covering about 27% of the state, through LBR fixed wireless and licensed fixed wireless technologies with speeds up to 250 Mbps. It may work well for homes and businesses in areas without wired broadband, though performance and availability can vary by location. Check your address for service availability, technology type, and expected speeds before signing up.
Etheric NetworksSurfnet Communications
36 citiesSurfnet Communications provides licensed fixed wireless internet service in approximately 36 California cities, covering about 24% of the state, with speeds up to 100 Mbps. It may work well for homes and small businesses in its coverage area, especially where fiber or DSL is unavailable; check your address for availability, technology options, and expected speeds.
Surfnet CommunicationsLocal Options
Wi-Fiber Inc
14 citiesWi-Fiber Inc provides fixed wireless internet service in approximately 14 California cities, covering about 9% of the state, with maximum speeds up to 100 Mbps. Its service may work well for households that need internet for browsing, video calls, and streaming, but availability and performance can vary by location; check your address for coverage and service options before signing up.
Wi-Fiber IncCALTEL Connections
14 citiesCALTEL Connections provides internet service in approximately 14 California cities, covering about 9% of the state, with speeds up to 1000 Mbps through copper and fiber connections. It may work well for households and businesses needing reliable connectivity, but performance can vary—check whether fiber or copper service is available at your address. Availability and maximum speeds should be confirmed directly with the provider before signing up.
CALTEL ConnectionsEsparto Broadband Inc
14 citiesEsparto Broadband Inc. provides internet service in approximately 14 California cities, covering about 9% of the state, with cable, fiber, and Lbr fixed wireless technologies offering speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. It may work well for households, remote workers, and users who stream or connect multiple devices, though performance and availability can vary by technology and address. Check your location to confirm whether fiber, cable, or fixed wireless service is available and which plan fits your needs.
Esparto Broadband IncHorizon Cable TV Inc
12 citiesHorizon Cable TV Inc offers internet service in approximately 12 California cities, covering about 8% of the state, with cable and fiber technologies and speeds up to 300 Mbps. It may work well for households seeking standard broadband for browsing, streaming, and everyday connectivity, but availability and performance can vary by address, so check whether cable or fiber service is offered at your location before signing up.
Horizon Cable TV IncAnza Electric Cooperative Inc
12 citiesAnza Electric Cooperative Inc. provides fiber internet service in approximately 12 California cities, covering about 8% of the state, with speeds up to 1000 Mbps. It may work well for households that stream, work from home, or connect multiple devices, but availability is location-specific, so check your address for fiber service and current plans.
Anza Electric Cooperative IncKern Valley Wireless Inc
12 citiesKern Valley Wireless Inc. offers fixed wireless internet in approximately 12 California cities, covering about 8% of the state, with speeds up to 10 Mbps. It may work well for light browsing, email, and basic online activities, but it differs from fiber or DSL, so check availability and expected performance at your address before signing up.
Kern Valley Wireless IncPacific Wyyerd
12 citiesPacific Wyyerd offers fiber internet in approximately 12 California cities, covering about 8% of the state, with speeds up to 8,000 Mbps. Its service may work well for households with multiple users, remote workers, gamers, and heavy streamers; check your address for fiber availability and current plan options before signing up.
Pacific WyyerdAccel Wireless
11 citiesAccel Wireless provides fixed wireless internet in approximately 11 California cities, covering about 7% of the state, with speeds up to 100 Mbps. It may work well for households in its coverage area that need a wireless alternative to wired service, though availability and performance can vary by address. Check your address for service availability and compare whether fiber, cable, or DSL options are also offered.
Accel WirelessSatellite Options
Available statewide but typically slower and more expensive than wired alternatives. Best for rural areas without other options.
HughesNet
Satellite internet is available nearly anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Consider as a backup option or for locations without terrestrial service.
Viasat Inc
Satellite internet is available nearly anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Consider as a backup option or for locations without terrestrial service.
Starlink
Satellite internet is available nearly anywhere with a clear view of the sky. Consider as a backup option or for locations without terrestrial service.
Popular provider searches
Where to compare internet next in California
These links are ranked from local provider and speed data, so they point to the city and provider pages most likely to help with real availability questions.
Top city comparisons
- AT&T is generally best in San Jose, CA
- Sonic.net is generally best in San Francisco, CA
- Sonic.net is generally best in Oakland, CA
- AT&T is generally best in Santa Rosa, CA
- Race Communications is generally best in Lancaster, CA
- AT&T is generally best in Palmdale, CA
- AT&T is generally best in Hayward, CA
- AT&T is generally best in Visalia, CA
- AT&T is generally best in Los Angeles, CA
- AT&T is generally best in San Diego, CA
Provider availability hubs
Common Questions
California Internet FAQs
How do California’s broadband programs affect availability and affordability?
California uses the California Advanced Services Fund (CASF), administered by the California Public Utilities Commission, to support broadband infrastructure and adoption in underserved areas. The state’s BEAD program also directs federal funding toward unserved and underserved locations. Eligibility, construction timing, and participating providers vary by census block, so address-level checking remains necessary.
What internet options serve rural California communities when cable or fiber is absent?
Rural Californians may compare fixed wireless, satellite, mobile broadband, and limited fiber or DSL, depending on terrain and line of sight. Electric cooperatives and local utilities can also support rural projects; Plumas-Sierra Rural Electric Cooperative is an example to investigate. Check installation requirements, latency, weather effects, data allowances, and total equipment costs.
Which fiber internet providers can California residents check at their address?
Fiber availability differs sharply between California neighborhoods. Providers to check include AT&T, Frontier, Spectrum, Xfinity, and unWired Broadband, although a company’s presence in California does not mean its fiber network reaches every address. In Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, and Fresno, use address searches to confirm technology, upload speeds, installation fees, and promotional terms.
Where is 10 Gbps internet available in California, and who offers it?
Race Communications lists service reaching 10 Gbps in parts of California. That speed is not statewide; availability depends on Race’s network footprint and the specific address. Before ordering, confirm whether 10 Gbps is delivered via fiber, the monthly rate after promotions, equipment requirements, installation charges, upload speed, and whether your devices support multi-gigabit connections.
How can I compare California internet providers for one specific address?
Enter the complete address, including apartment or unit number, into provider sites and the FCC National Broadband Map, then compare results with the California Public Utilities Commission’s broadband resources. California has 108 providers serving 149 cities, but availability is location-specific. Verify advertised and upload speeds, data caps, contracts, taxes, equipment fees, installation dates, and outage or cancellation policies before choosing.