Top Internet Service Providers in Los Angeles
Los Angeles is an excellent metropolis for individuals with an interest in show business. Irrespective of one’s personality type, a robust internet connection is indispensable for either professional or recreational purposes. LA boasts a greater number of internet service providers compared to numerous other cities, hence, one has an array of alternatives to choose from.
By comparing different options, you can discover broadband opportunities including quick fiber service from providers such as AT&T and Frontier, dependable cable connections offered by Cox and Spectrum, the increased accessibility of 5G home internet from Verizon and T-Mobile, among others.
However, the internet speeds in Los Angeles are hindered to some extent by DSL networks that are still used by major providers such as AT&T and Frontier. According to Ookla’s Q1 2023 report, Los Angeles ranked only as the 65th fastest city out of the top 100 metro areas in the US.
Its median download speed was slightly above 193 megabits per second and its median upload speed was close to 19Mbps. If we compare these figures to some of the other cities that CNET has examined, San Antonio and Austin were among the top 15 cities with median download speeds of over 235Mbps, while New York – the most populous metropolitan area in the country – ranked within the top 35. On the other hand, it didn’t fall within the bottom 10 cities, such as Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis, and Seattle.
Apart from fiber, cable, and DSL options, Los Angeles has various third-party providers such as EarthLink, EIN, and Ultra Home Internet, which utilize the networks of providers such as AT&T and Spectrum. We will not discuss them or the readily available HughesNet, Starlink, and Viasat since all addresses in Los Angeles should have faster and more flexible options than satellite internet.
Top Internet Service Providers in Los Angeles
Wondering which companies offer the best internet service in Los Angeles? Our top pick is AT&T Fiber for its exceptional performance. Interested to know how we arrived at this conclusion? Read on. We have gathered information on various ISPs in the region, including internet speed and monthly cost, so you can make an informed choice.
AT&T Fiber is the top internet service provider in Los Angeles. Check for its availability on the website or call (844) 653-0377 to place an order.
Product Details:
– Price range: $55 – $180 per month
– Speed range: 300 – 5,000Mbps
– Connection type: Fiber
– Highlights: Unlimited data, no contracts, and equipment included.
AT&T Fiber represents an excellent value proposition, and if it’s available in your area, don’t hesitate to sign up. However, it’s worth noting that not all AT&T service areas in Los Angeles are currently eligible for Fiber. In certain cases, you may have to settle for AT&T’s copper DSL service, AT&T Internet, which is much less impressive and may only offer a top speed of 10Mbps in some locations. In fact, DSL is starting to become outdated, so much so that in March 2022, during an AT&T investor day event, the company publicly committed to reducing its copper footprint by 50% by 2025.
AT&T Fiber offers three main plans in Los Angeles for eligible households, which include 300Mbps, 500Mbps or 1,000Mbps, while an increasing number of households can access its fastest options. These options comprise a 2 gigabits per second plan and a 5Gbps tier, which happen to be the fastest residential plans available in the city.
Rewritten:
The fees and service particulars for all AT&T Fiber plans include even upload and download speeds, absence of data limits, no long-term contracts, and no charges for renting equipment. Please refer to our review of AT&T home internet and check the availability of AT&T Fiber either by calling (844) 653-0377 or through our website.
Spectrum
Los Angeles internet providers with the most extensive coverage
Verify availability Or place an order at: (833) 418-0375
Details of the product
Range of prices $50 – $90 per month Range of speeds 300 – 940Mbps Connection Cable Key Features Unlimited data, transparent pricing, no long-term commitments, inclusive modem, and complementary access to Wi-Fi hotspots across the nation.
As an internet provider that uses cable technology, Spectrum may not be able to offer symmetrical speeds like a fiber ISP. However, its three speed options should satisfy the needs of most users.
In terms of availability, Charter Communications’ broadband service is accessible to almost all neighborhoods in Los Angeles, with only a few exceptions such as the Palos Verdes Peninsula and some isolated areas. Additionally, the company provides transparent terms that are relatively easy to understand compared to other cable internet providers.
改写后的内容:
Spectrum provides three speed plans with varying download speeds of 300, 500, and 940Mbps respectively, with prices starting from $50 to $90 per month. Though it may not offer a flashy multigigabit option like some AT&T areas, Spectrum customers can depend on the service’s reliability throughout the city.
Fees and service particulars: There are no contractual obligations, penalties for terminating early, or data restrictions. Additionally, the modem is incorporated in the monthly charges (although an additional $5 per month is required for a Wi-Fi router).
Take a look at our Spectrum review and consider Spectrum Internet availability. Alternatively, you can contact us at (833) 418-0375 to place an order.
Starry Internet, the top-rated fixed wireless internet provider in Los Angeles.
To check availability or place an order, please call (833) 615-8379.
Product Details:
Price Range: $30-$80 per month.
Speed Range: 50-1,000Mbps.
Connection Type: Fixed wireless.
Highlights: Unlimited data, no contracts, no equipment fees, and easy setup.
After being recognized as one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Companies of 2022, Starry Internet faced a setback with the New York Stock Exchange in December of the same year. Nonetheless, Starry remains committed to prioritizing customers by offering affordable and easy-to-use high-speed internet. It employs millimeter-wave technology similar to that used in 5G to provide speedy broadband directly to customers’ residences.
Availability: Starry Internet is currently available in select areas of downtown Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Burbank, Long Beach, and Santa Monica.
Plans and pricing: Starry offers a 200Mbps tier for $50, which is available to most customers. However, some areas may qualify for the Starry Connect program, a low-cost internet access option for $15 (or potentially free through the government’s Affordable Connectivity Program). For those in eligible areas, Starry Gigabit is also available, offering speeds of 1Gbps download and 500Mbps upload for $80.
Fee and Service Information: Starry Internet provides free equipment and installation, unlimited data, and no contract. Additionally, it offers a “Happy Interneting Guarantee” that refunds customers in full if they are dissatisfied and cancel within the first month.
Please review our overview of Starry home internet and check for availability online or call (833) 615-8379 to place an order.
Overview of the top internet providers in Los Angeles:
ProviderInternet technologyMonthly price rangeSpeed rangeEquipment costsData capContractCNET review score
AT&T DSL/fiber$55-$18010-5,000MbpsNone1.5TB for plans below 100MbpsNone7.4
Cox Cable$50-$80100-1,000Mbps$13/month (optional)1.25TBNot required, but required for the lowest promo rate6.2
Frontier DSL/fiber$50-$1559-5,000MbpsNoneNoneNone6.3
Spectrum Cable$50-$90300-940MbpsNoneNoneNone7.2
Starry Fixed wireless$15-$8050-1,000MbpsNoneNoneNone7
For more options, please visit the Shop Providers page.
Other Los Angeles internet providers that you can consider include those beyond our top three recommendations for the best internet providers in the city. Although they may only serve certain areas of LA, they could still be a feasible option due to various factors.
Cox, one of the largest cable internet providers in the country, has a relatively small presence in the Los Angeles metro region, and is only available in the Palos Verdes Peninsula. Prices for plans start at $50 per month, with speeds starting at 100Mbps download and going up to $80 per month for its gigabit option. Frontier, on the other hand, has a significant presence in the Los Angeles market, and is the fastest provider on average, with download speeds of around 268Mbps according to Ookla data. Its DSL and fiber-optic services are available throughout the area, including in Beverly Hills, Long Beach, the San Fernando Valley, Santa Monica, and some western parts of LA. Race Communications, like Cox, has a relatively small share of the market, with its service available mainly in Marina del Rey, Playa Vista, and Santa Monica. However, unlike Cox, its service is entirely fiber-optic, and it offers two plan options: $25 a month for 25Mbps, or $60 monthly for gigabit service. Sonic Telecom’s coverage in the LA market is limited to a few neighborhoods, including Beverly Hills, Glendale, Inglewood, Pasadena, and West Hollywood, and although it is known for building 100% fiber networks, its offering in the area is mostly older DSL. T-Mobile Home Internet is available throughout the Los Angeles metro area, and uses its 5G and 4G LTE networks to provide an average download speed between 33-182Mbps for a monthly fee of $50, which covers all equipment, taxes, installation fees, and services, and there are no data caps or contracts required. Lastly, Verizon 5G Home Internet is a fixed wireless home internet option that leverages its Ultra Wideband 5G technology to offer higher average download speeds of around 300Mbps, and an all-in price that covers taxes, installation fees, and equipment. The service costs $50 a month for a two-year price-lock guarantee, or $70 a month for a three-year price-lock and additional benefits.
Image Credit: Citizen of the Planet/Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty Images
Quick Look at Internet Details in Los Angeles
While it’s useful to have an idea about the top internet service providers in Los Angeles, many people want to know about the most affordable or the quickest internet services available. In the following sections, we’ll focus on these two aspects.
Availability of Broadband
No provider data available for the number of people who have access to any type of broadband internet.
Most Accessible Internet Technology
Source: FCC
Pricing of Internet in Los Angeles
The starting cost of internet service in Los Angeles is around $38 every month, on average. Among the other significant markets that CNET has analyzed, only Brooklyn begins at a cheaper rate of $36 per month.
While limited to city areas, Starry’s starting price for its Starry Connect plan is the lowest amongst all providers starting at $15 per month. On the other hand, the Internet 5000 plan offered by AT&T, which was introduced in 2022, has the highest starting price at $180 per month. Later in this article, we will discuss the fastest available plans in Los Angeles and delve further into this plan. Despite the steep monthly cost, it brings good value as it has a low cost of just under 4 cents per Mbps; however, it is not the most cost-effective plan we have reviewed at CNET. That title belongs to Frontier’s 5Gbps tier, which costs $155 per month, translating to an exceptional cost of 3 cents per Mbps.
Affordable internet alternatives available in Los Angeles
Residents of Los Angeles have multiple options for budget-friendly internet plans provided by internet service providers in the region. These providers largely participate in the Affordable Connectivity Program funded by the Federal Communications Commission, which offers a monthly $30 subsidy to eligible households to aid their access to high-speed internet. Referring to the table below, it’s evident that some internet providers such as Cox, Race Communications, and Starry provide low-cost solutions, and when coupled with the ACP credit, ultimately offer free internet services.
What is the most affordable internet option available in Los Angeles?
Provider Starting Price Maximum Download Speed Monthly Equipment Fee Contract
Starry Connect $15 30Mbps None None
Race Communications $25 25Mbps $10 (optional) None
Starry Basic $30 50Mbps None None
Sonic Telecom $40 25Mbps Varies None
Cox $50 100Mbps $13 (optional) None
Frontier Fiber 500 $50 500Mbps None None
Spectrum $50 300Mbps Free modem; $5 router None
T-Mobile Home Internet $50 182Mbps None None
Verizon 5G Home Internet $50 300Mbps None None
AT&T Fiber 300 $55 300Mbps None None
Show more (5 items) Shop Providers
The speed of the internet in Los Angeles is not ranked among the top 50 fastest cities in the United States. The primary factor for this is the limited availability of 100% fiber connections compared to cable and DSL connections in the city. However, significant initiatives by AT&T and Frontier, such as expanding the availability of their Internet 2000, Internet 5000, 2-gigabit, and 5-gigabit plans to more locations, are expected to enhance the statistics.
Download Speeds:
Los Angeles – 118 Mbps
California – 150 Mbps
USA – 133 Mbps
Upload Speeds:
Los Angeles – 36 Mbps
California – 48 Mbps
USA – 46 Mbps
*Data obtained from M-LAB speed tests conducted by actual users in Los Angeles.
Fastest internet plans available in Los Angeles
ProviderMax download speedMax upload speedStarting priceData capContract
Frontier Fiber 5 Gig 5,000Mbps 5,000Mbps $155 None None
AT&T Fiber 5000 5,000Mbps 5,000Mbps $180 None None
AT&T Fiber 2000 2,000Mbps 2,000Mbps $110 None None
Frontier Fiber 2 Gig 2,000Mbps 2,000Mbps $100 None None
Race Internet Gigafy Me 1,000Mbps 1,000Mbps $60 None None
Frontier Fiber 1 Gig 1,000Mbps 1,000Mbps $70 None None
Starry Gigabit 1,000Mbps 500Mbps $80 None None
Spectrum Internet Gig 940Mbps 35Mbps $90 None None
Cox Gigablast 940Mbps 35Mbps $100 1.25TB 1 year
View Providers
What’s the verdict on Los Angeles internet providers? Spectrum stands out with reliable service and extensive coverage, however, AT&T’s fiber options reign supreme with the fastest download and upload speeds, both averaging out equally. Over the next few years, Los Angeles will undergo a transformation as AT&T and Frontier replace their outdated DSL lines, which still feature prominently, with their expanding fiber networks. For now, cable internet remains king, but the future belongs to fiber.
FAQs about Los Angeles Internet Providers
How much does internet service cost in Los Angeles?
Los Angeles has a variety of internet providers that offer at least three different levels of service. The cost of these packages typically ranges from $15 to $180 per month. The average starting cost for the cheapest plan is around $38 per month, although some providers may charge extra fees for leasing their modem and router.
What is the least expensive internet provider in Los Angeles?
If you are considering the initial cost, the most affordable internet provider in Los Angeles would be Starry, offering its Starry Connect plan for $15 a month. Nevertheless, this plan is not accessible to every Starry consumer. Following Starry, the next most budget-friendly internet provider in Los Angeles would be Race Communications, providing its Basic Broadband Plus service, which offers 25Mbps download and 25Mbps upload for $25 per month.
Is it possible to obtain fiber internet in Los Angeles?
Absolutely. Although cable internet or DSL are more commonly available than fiber internet in Los Angeles, you can still locate fiber internet throughout Los Angeles County. Some of the best fiber internet providers in Los Angeles are AT&T, Frontier, and Race Communications.