Internet Providers in Santa Cruz, California

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Top Internet Providers in Santa Cruz, California

1

Spectrum

96% Available in Santa Cruz

Connection:
Cable

Download speeds up to

1000 Mbps

2

Xfinity from Comcast

48.7% Available in Santa Cruz

Connection:
Cable

Download speeds up to

1000 Mbps

3

Earthlink

99% Available in Santa Cruz

Connection:
LTE Home

Download speeds up to

100Mbps

4

AT&T

100% Available in Santa Cruz

Connection:
Fiber

Download speeds up to

5 Gbps

5

HughesNet

99% Available in Santa Cruz

Connection:
Satellite

Download speeds up to

25 Mbps

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.

Santa Cruz, California, on the northern side of Monterey Bay, is a little coastal community well-known for its vivid cultural scene, redwood trees, and lovely beaches. Staying connected, working, and enjoying depend on a consistent and fast internet connection given the rising number of people living and enterprises present. Santa Cruz, California offers a distinct scene for internet access in addition to its famous beaches, energetic culture, and redwood woods. Selecting the appropriate internet provider may be difficult as your location within the county can affect the availability, price, and speed depending on it. All set to reveal the secrets of the top Santa Cruz, CA internet providers? Let's work together to discover that ideal connection for you!
First of all, fiber internet is your golden ticket if speed and dependability rule you. AT&T Fiber has your back here in Santa Cruz with blazing-fast speeds of up to 5 Gbps. Starting at only $55 a month, this is not just the quickest choice available but also really reasonably cost-effective. Like having a rocket ship anchored just at your house!
Now, cable internet swoops in as a hero if your area's coverage of fiber falls short or you just want another great choice. With speeds up to 2 Gbps, Xfinity offers thorough coverage across Santa Cruz—hello, 98% availability! Their plans also start at an easily available $30 a month, allowing you lightning-fast speeds without draining your pocketbook.
For those of you weighing wireless choices, 5G home internet is worth looking at. Beginning at a reasonable $39.95 a month, EarthLink 5G Home Internet covers 14.2% of Santa Cruz with speeds up to 100 Mbps. Especially if you like the concept of severing the cord, this is an interesting alternative.
At last, AT&T Internet provides a consistent DSL connection in locations where wire connections are few. Coverage ranging from 84.6% of the city allows you to enjoy speeds up to 100 Mbps for $60 a month, thereby ensuring you remain connected wherever you live.
Santa Cruz thus offers a hidden treasure of an online service designed for you regardless of your streaming, gaming, or simply browsing activity.

Fastest Internet Providers in Santa Cruz CA

  • AT&T offers the fastest internet speeds in Santa Cruz, with fiber connections reaching up to 5 Gbps, making it ideal for heavy users and households with multiple devices.
  • Xfinity, with a coverage of approximately 98%, provides cable internet with speeds up to 2 Gbps, starting at an affordable price of $30/month.
  • For those looking for alternatives, T-Mobile Home Internet provides speeds up to 245 Mbps, while satellite options like Viasat and Starlink ensure connectivity across the city.

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.

Compare Internet Providers in Santa Cruz CA

#1

Best Provider Overall

Spectrum

Best Provider for Gaming

AT&T

Best Provider for Streaming

Windstream

Best Provider for Availability

Xfinity


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FAQ

What are the major internet providers in Santa Cruz?

The primary internet service providers (ISPs) available in Santa Cruz are AT&T, Xfinity (Comcast), Cruzio Internet, and various satellite providers like HughesNet and Viasat. AT&T and Xfinity are the largest wired providers.

What types of internet connections are offered?

In Santa Cruz, residents can get DSL and fiber internet from AT&T, cable and fiber internet from Xfinity, and fiber optic service from local provider Cruzio. Satellite broadband is also available from HughesNet and Viasat.

What are typical internet speeds and pricing?

Internet download speeds range from 5-100 Mbps for basic DSL/cable plans up to 1 Gbps for fiber optic gigabit plans. Pricing is usually $30-$60/month for slower speeds, $60-$100/month for faster cable/fiber plans up to 400 Mbps, and $100+/month for gigabit.

Are there any low-income internet options?

Yes, AT&T, Xfinity, and Cruzio all offer discounted internet plans for qualifying low-income households through programs like Access from AT&T, Internet Essentials from Xfinity, and affordable pricing from Cruzio.

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