Internet Providers in Santa Cruz, California

Best Internet Providers in Santa Cruz CA

Fiber Frenzy: EarthLink and AT&T Fiber take the crown with blazing speeds up to 5 Gigabits per second (Gbps), ideal for data-hungry homes.

Cable Contender: Xfinity offers widespread coverage with cable internet plans reaching 1 Gbps, making it a strong choice for many.

Fixed Wireless Option: Astound Broadband provides a good alternative with decent availability.

Satellite Fallback: Viasat and HughesNet offer near-complete coverage but have lower speeds and higher latency.

Top Internet Providers in Santa Cruz, CA

1. Xfinity

• Type: Cable
• Max Speed: Up to 2 Gbps
• Pricing: Starting at $30/month.
• Coverage: Approximately 98% availability in Santa Cruz.
  Features:
• High-speed cable internet is suitable for heavy streaming and gaming.
• No data caps on most plans.

2. AT&T Fiber

• Type: Fiber
• Max Speed: Up to 5 Gbps
• Pricing: Starting at $55/month.
• Coverage: Approximately 84.6% availability in Santa Cruz.
  Features:
• Symmetrical upload and download speeds.
• No data caps on fiber plans.

3. EarthLink

• Type: Fiber and DSL
• Max Speed: Up to 5 Gbps
• Pricing: Starting at $39.95/month.
• Coverage: Approximately 14.2% availability in Santa Cruz.
  Features:
• Known for reliable service with no data caps on most plans.

4. Astound Broadband

• Type: Cable
• Max Speed: Up to 1 Gbps
• Pricing: Varies based on plan.
• Coverage: Available to over half of Santa Cruz.
  Features:
• Offers competitive pricing and good customer service.

5. Viasat

• Type: Satellite
• Max Speed: Up to 150 Mbps
• Pricing: Starting at approximately $119.99/month.
• Coverage: Full coverage in Santa Cruz (100%).
  Features:
• Good option for areas where cable or fiber may not be available.

Home Internet Providers in Santa Cruz CA

Fiber for Speed Demons: EarthLink and AT&T Fiber offer the blazing-fast speeds data warriors crave, reaching up to 5 Gigabits per second (Gbps) for downloads and uploads.

Cable for Convenience: Xfinity provides widespread cable internet coverage throughout Santa Cruz, with plans reaching 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps), making it a strong choice for most users.

Fixed Wireless Option: Astound Broadband offers an alternative with decent availability, good for those who can't get cable or fiber.

Satellite Last Resort: Viasat and HughesNet provide near-complete coverage, but speeds are slower (up to 150 Mbps) and latency is higher.

Satellite Internet Providers in Santa Cruz CA

In Santa Cruz, CA, if cable or fiber optic internet isn't an option, satellite internet providers like Viasat and HughesNet can provide a connection.

Low-Cost Internet Providers in Santa Cruz CA

Check for entry-level plans from cable providers like Xfinity. These may offer lower speeds sufficient for basic browsing and email.

Look for promotional rates. Many ISPs offer introductory discounts for new customers.

Explore government assistance programs like the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) that can help subsidize internet costs.

Consider mobile hot-spotting with your phone plan if data caps allow, but be mindful of usage limits.

Internet TV Providers in Santa Cruz CA

ISPs provide the internet pipes: These companies (Xfinity, EarthLink, etc.) deliver the internet connection to your home.

You choose streaming services: Subscribe to separate services like YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Sling TV for your TV channels.

Pick an ISP with enough speed: Aim for at least 25 Mbps for smooth streaming, with higher speeds recommended for multiple streamers (4K quality).

5 Internet TV Providers in Santa Cruz, CA

1. Xfinity

• Type: Cable
• Channel Count: Up to 330+ channels
• Pricing: Starting at $30/month for internet; TV bundles vary.
  Features:
• Offers high-speed cable internet with speeds up to 2 Gbps.
• Extensive coverage in Santa Cruz (approximately 98%).
• No data caps on most plans.

2. AT&T

• Type: Fiber and DSL
• Channel Count: Varies with the package (up to 330+ channels with DIRECTV)
• Pricing: Starting at $55/month for internet; bundles available with DIRECTV.
  Features:
• High-speed fiber options are available with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps.
• Bundling options with DIRECTV provide access to a wide range of channels and on-demand content.

3. DIRECTV

• Type: Satellite
• Channel Count: Up to 330+ channels
• Pricing: Starting at approximately $64.99/month.
  Features:
• Extensive channel lineups and features like Genie HD DVR for recording shows.
• Available throughout Santa Cruz (100% coverage).

4. DISH Network

• Type: Satellite
• Channel Count: Up to 290+ channels
• Pricing: Starting at approximately $79.99/month.
  Features:
• Known for its Hopper DVR, which allows the recording of multiple shows simultaneously.
• Offers a three-year price guarantee.

5. Viasat

• Type: Satellite
• Max Speed: Up to 150 Mbps
• Pricing: Starting at approximately $119.99/month.
• Coverage: Full coverage in Santa Cruz (100%).

Fiber Internet Providers in Santa Cruz CA

EarthLink Fiber: They reign supreme with speeds reaching a blazing 5 Gigabits per second (Gbps) - download massive files in seconds and game without lag.

AT&T Fiber: Another top pick, AT&T offers similar fiber plans with speeds up to 5 Gbps, making them ideal for data-intensive tasks.

1. EarthLink Fiber

• Type: Fiber
• Max Speed: Up to 5 Gbps
• Pricing: Starting at $39.95/month.
• Coverage: Approximately 14.2% availability in Santa Cruz.
  Features:
• Offers high-speed fiber internet with no data caps.
• Known for reliable service and customer support.

2. AT&T Fiber

• Type: Fiber
• Max Speed: Up to 5 Gbps
• Pricing: Starting at $55/month.
• Coverage: Approximately 84.6% availability in Santa Cruz.
  Features:
• Provides symmetrical upload and download speeds.
• No data caps on fiber plans, making it ideal for heavy users.

3. Sonic

• Type: Fiber
• Max Speed: Up to 80 Mbps
• Pricing: Starting at approximately $40/month.
• Coverage: Limited availability in Santa Cruz.
  Features:
• Offers fiber internet along with DSL and copper options.
• Known for competitive pricing and good customer service.

4. Astound Broadband

• Type: Cable (with some fiber offerings)
• Max Speed: Up to 1 Gbps
• Pricing: Varies based on plan.
• Coverage: Available to over half of Santa Cruz.
  Features:
• Competitive pricing and reliable service.