In terms of internet options, Phoenix provides services that are comparable to other areas in the United States, although they are still somewhat restricted. We believe that for the majority of households in Phoenix, CenturyLink Fiber or Quantum Fiber (if accessible) is the most optimal choice. Nevertheless, it is not possible to acquire CenturyLink’s fiber service in all areas of the city, in such cases Cox should be considered the most suitable provider of high-speed internet in Phoenix.
For residents in Phoenix, the majority of options other than Cox and CenturyLink would consist of wireless internet providers, which include Verizon’s 5G home internet and T-Mobile, as well as fixed wireless services provided by local provider Triad Wireless.
Top internet service providers in Phoenix
Below are my recommendations for the leading ISPs in Phoenix, including service particulars and their unique selling points. Scroll down the page for a list of additional ISPs that may be less accessible or appealing, as well as an overview of the most affordable and speedy internet packages available in Phoenix.
CenturyLink Fiber
The Best ISP in Phoenix Overall
See if it’s available Or call to order: (833) 404-0893
Product Details
Price Range $30 – $70 per month Speed Range 200 – 940Mbps Connection Fiber Highlights Gigabit tier includes equipment, unlimited data, and no contracts.
You may be more familiar with the name CenturyLink, however, the company recently rebranded as Lumen Technologies and their fiber-optic business has been renamed as Quantum Fiber. While it appears that the Phoenix region has not yet undergone this name change, it is advisable to anticipate it in the future.
Limitations exist in terms of availability of CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber in Phoenix. Recent FCC data indicates that fiber service is accessible to less than 40% of households in Phoenix. Encanto Village, Central City, and Camelback East have the highest availability of fiber service, while it is also available in certain neighborhoods across Phoenix.
Plan options remain unchanged despite the new branding, with prices starting at $50 per month for 100Mbps (or 200Mbps in select areas) and $70 per month for gig service (with speeds of up to 940Mbps). These plans offer good value for money, with the faster option being one of the most attractive internet deals available from any major provider in Phoenix or other locations.
Fees and Service Details: Quantum Fiber’s terms of service are quite appealing due to the lack of contracts, data caps (which is a new feature from CenturyLink), and absence of any price hikes after the first year of service. While the equipment fee may seem steep at $15 per month, it is waived for those subscribing to gigabit speeds.
Take a look at our evaluation of CenturyLink internet.
Check if CenturyLink is available in your area. Alternatively, call to place your order: (833) 404-0893.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Cox Communications
Top-notch internet coverage in Phoenix
Verify availability Or contact to purchase: (888) 553-2180
Details of the service
Price range $40 – $100 per month Speed range 25 – 940Mbps Connection Primarily based on cable, with some fiber Key features Monthly data allowance of 1.25TB, numerous plan choices, and an exclusive gaming add-on available.
Plan options and pricing: The majority of households can choose from four to five internet plans with speeds ranging from 100 to 940Mbps, with prices starting at $50 to $100 per month. Additionally, if you wish to include TV services, Cox provides internet and TV bundling options.
Due to Cox’s reliance on a coaxial cable network, upload speeds may experience noteworthy decrease, ranging from 3 to 35Mbps. In Phoenix, Cox holds a minor presence in fiber-optic connectivity, which may provide equal upload and download speeds, but the service is obtainable to less than 10% of homes in the region. If you decide to go with Cox, keep in mind that slower upload speeds are a possibility.
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Details on fees and services: If you choose to rent a Cox Panoramic Wi-Fi router, an additional $14 per month will be added to your bill. To obtain the lowest introductory rate on Cox internet plans, you may need to commit to a one-year contract. If you intend to maintain your service for an extended period, there is no issue with this requirement. However, if you terminate your contract prematurely, you may face significant charges, potentially amounting to $240 or more.
It’s important to keep in mind that there is a 1.25TB data limit. However, the majority of households do not use that much data within a month, so there’s not much cause for concern. In the event that you do exceed the limit, anticipate an additional fee of potentially up to $100 on your subsequent bill.
Please review our Cox internet review and confirm availability of Cox Communications services by either checking online or calling (888) 553-2180 to place an order.
Sarah Tew/CNET
Verizon 5G Home Internet
Top wireless home internet provider in Phoenix
See if you can get it Or call to place your order: (833) 330-0476
Details of the service
Cost range $50 – $70 per month (eligible 5G mobile customers receive 50% off) Speed range 85 – 1,000Mbps Connection Fixed wireless Key features Unlimited data, no contracts, free equipment, and 50% discount for eligible Verizon mobile customers
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Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband coverage map indicates that Verizon 5G home internet is widely available in most areas of Phoenix. For plan options, you may choose between two subscriptions. The Verizon 5G Home option commences at $50 monthly, offering speeds ranging from 85 to 300Mbps. Meanwhile, the Verizon 5G Home Plus option starts at $70 per month, providing speeds from 300 to 940Mbps. It is essential to note that the actual speeds depend on your location and proximity to a nearby 5G tower.
Moreover, Verizon is presently offering a 50% discount deal to eligible Verizon mobile users. This implies that you can obtain a home internet plan with speeds of up to 300Mbps at a starting price of only $25 per month.
Fees and service particulars: The service comprises your equipment and limitless data without additional charges. Verizon doesn’t bind you to any agreement, enabling you to explore its speed and reliability before opting out and switching to Cox or CenturyLink if you aren’t satisfied with the service.
Please take a look at our Verizon 5G home internet review.
To see if Verizon 5G Home Internet is available in your area, you can check here, or you can place an order by calling (833) 330-0476.
Comparison of all internet service providers in Phoenix.
The three internet service providers mentioned above are not the only ones in the Phoenix area. They are simply the ones that I would consider first if I were looking for internet service in Montezuma Heights, for example. Nevertheless, Phoenix residents have few other viable options. Here are some other ISPs that may be available at your address for a quick comparison.
Top Phoenix internet providers available in the area
Provider Starting priceDownload speed range (Mbps)Equipment costApproximate availabilityCNET review scoreCox $50-$10010-940$14 (optional)98%6.2Verizon 5G $50-$7085-940None92%N/AT-Mobile 5G $50 35-115None60%N/ACenturyLink $50 5-140$15 (optional)58%6.7CenturyLink Fiber $50-$65100-940$15 (optional)39%6.7 See more (1 item) Browse Providers
These mentioned providers below may also be considered, though they might not offer the same value or speed potential.
CenturyLink
Although CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber has been mentioned earlier, this particular reference is to their DSL service. CenturyLink’s DSL service is accessible to almost every household in the Phoenix area that is not eligible for Quantum Fiber. The speeds provided by the DSL service in many neighborhoods are largely impressive, ranging from 60, 80, or 100Mbps. This makes CenturyLink a dependable choice for a basic, easy-to-use connection, though if one desires faster speeds, Cox or Verizon 5G must be considered.
Phoenix T-Mobile coverage is reported by FCC/Mapbox. T-Mobile offers 5G Home Internet service that primarily targets suburban and rural areas, in contrast to Verizon’s network that focuses on large cities like Phoenix. With speeds ranging from 33 to 182Mbps, T-Mobile charges $50 per month, making it the best option for those residing outside of the city where satellite or DSL is the only available connection. But, if you live in Phoenix, other providers offer comparable high-speed internet packages for the same price.
Triad Wireless
Triad Wireless is a local provider of fixed wireless internet services that covers the Phoenix area, catering to businesses, educational institutions, and residential customers. Their residential internet plans boast impressive speeds of up to 300Mbps, which is noteworthy for a fixed wireless network. However, as fixed wireless technology depends on a clear line of sight to a nearby transmitter, a serviceability check is necessary before signing up for the services. To inquire about Triad Wireless’ serviceability and pricing at your address, please call 602-426-0542 or visit their residential internet page.
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Satellite Internet
HughesNet and Viasat remain viable options for home Internet, provided that you have an unobstructed view of the southern sky. However, satellite Internet is typically considered a last resort due to its high pricing, high latency, and low data allowances. In Phoenix, there are alternatives such as Cox, CenturyLink, 5G Internet, and others, making it easier to overlook the shortcomings of satellite Internet.
Overview of Phoenix Residential Internet Options
A vast majority of Phoenix citizens have access to two primary broadband options: Cox and CenturyLink or Quantum Fiber. The advent of 5G home internet services from T-Mobile and Verizon offers the potential for additional high-speed options in your region.
Availability of Broadband:
According to the FCC, there is no data available on the number of people who have access to any type of broadband internet. However, the FCC reports that the most commonly available internet technology is [insert technology name].
Affordable Internet in Phoenix:
No information provided.
If you’re looking for an affordable and simple internet connection in Phoenix, you might consider Cox’s Starter 25. The plan offers broadband-qualifying maximum speeds of 25Mbps down and 3Mbps up, and starts at $30 per month with a one-year contract. If you’re a Verizon mobile user, you may also qualify for a 50% discount on 5G home internet service with speeds as fast as 300Mbps or more, starting at $25 per month. Otherwise, be prepared to pay at least $50 per month for internet services in Phoenix.
The most affordable internet options in Phoenix
Plan Starting monthly priceEquipment feeMax download speeds (Mbps)
Verizon 5G $25 (with 50% discount)None85-300
Cox Internet Essential $50 $13 (optional)100
CenturyLink Fiber $50 $15 (optional)100
CenturyLink Simply Unlimited $50 $15 (optional)100
T-Mobile 5G $50 None33-182
Show more (1 item)
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Low-income households in Phoenix can access the internet through the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a monthly grant of $30 for qualifying households. For those living on tribal lands, like the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Community northeast of Phoenix, the grant can be extended up to $75 per month. To apply for the ACP, follow the steps provided.
In addition, Cox provides an inexpensive internet package called Connect2Compete for eligible households that have a student enrolled in K-12. Subscribers can access download speeds of up to 100Mbps at a cost of $10 per month, without any contracts or equipment charges. There is no need for a credit check or social security number to apply. For households without children, Cox also offers ConnectAssist, which allows subscribers to access 100Mbps download speeds at a monthly charge of $30.
Changed Download and Upload Speeds information sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by actual Phoenix users:
Download speeds
Phoenix – 96 Mbps
AZ – 123 Mbps
US – 133 Mbps
Upload speeds
Phoenix – 30 Mbps
AZ – 32 Mbps
US – 46 Mbps
Although multigig internet plans have become increasingly common in the US, they have yet to be introduced in Phoenix. However, Quantum Fiber, Cox, and potentially Verizon 5G offer single gig plans that boast download speeds of up to 940Mbps – the fastest available in the Phoenix region. While not as impressive as multigig service, this speed is still more than sufficient for an essentially limitless number of connected devices.
Top Speed Internet Packages in Phoenix
Plan Monthly Starting Price Max Download Speeds (Mbps) Data Cap CenturyLink Fiber Gig $70 940 None Cox Gigablast $100 940 1.25TB Verizon 5G Home Internet $70 940 None CenturyLink Simply Unlimited $50 100 None T-Mobile 5G Home Internet $50 115 None Show more (1 item) Shop Providers
With the availability of high speeds and multiple streaming and gaming devices, it is effortless to consume a considerable amount of data every month. While most internet providers in Phoenix do not impose data usage restrictions, Cox subscribers may need to monitor their data usage closely.
Cox’s monthly data limit of 1.25TB is quite generous, but exceeding it could result in additional charges of up to $100. However, for most households with moderate internet usage, it is unlikely that they will surpass the data cap. To put it in perspective, during the peak of the pandemic, the average household consumed approximately 435MB of data per month.
Recap of Home Internet Options in Phoenix
If you are looking for high speed and overall value, your best options for internet in Phoenix are likely Quantum Fiber, Cox, and Verizon 5G. Quantum Fiber should be your top choice with its reliable fiber connection and equally fast upload and download speeds, along with CenturyLink’s favorable service terms.
Regarding Verizon 5G home internet, its worthiness is dependent on the speed available at your specific address. However, it’s definitely worth considering if you’re searching for an alternative to providers like CenturyLink or Cox.
In the Phoenix area, there are other providers available, such as T-Mobile, Triad Wireless, HughesNet, and Viasat. Nevertheless, considering the range of options available throughout the city, these would be considered secondary choices for home internet service.
Frequently Asked Questions about Internet in Phoenix
Is fiber internet available in Phoenix?
Yes, it is. Around 39% of households in Phoenix can get fiber service. The major fiber provider in the Phoenix region is now Quantum Fiber, which used to be known as CenturyLink Fiber. Cox also has a limited fiber coverage in Phoenix.
Which is superior: CenturyLink or Cox?
In Phoenix, Cox provides a wider range of plan choices than CenturyLink and broader high-speed coverage with gig service being offered all over the city. Nevertheless, Quantum Fiber’s plans–previously recognized as CenturyLink Fiber–are likely to arrive with substantially quicker upload speeds and a lower cost per Mbps than comparable Cox plans. For a detailed comparison of the two service providers, refer to our analysis of CenturyLink versus Cox.
Can I get Xfinity internet in Phoenix?
No, Cox Communications is the main cable internet provider in the Phoenix region. Xfinity and other significant cable internet providers do not offer services in Phoenix.
