Best Internet Providers in Riverside, California
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What is the best ISP in Riverside?
Spectrum is the best Internet service provider for most households in Riverside, CA. In addition to Spectrum’s extensive network, this cable giant offers reasonable rates, speeds and service to over 90% of homes, by data by the Federal Communications Commission. If you’re trying to get fiber or fixed wireless, CNET recommends AT&T Fiber or T-Mobile Home Internet for home internet. Ultimately, the best ISP for you will come down to what’s available in your location.
We’ve also found the lowest prices and fastest service in Riverside to make your broadband shopping easier. Frontier Fiber offers the cheapest plan, costing only $45 per month for symmetrical speeds of up to 500 megabits per second. If Frontier’s service isn’t available at your address, Spectrum’s $50 300Mbps plan will be your next best option for affordability. People who need the fastest plan in Riverside should check out AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber, which offer 5 gigabit plans in the area, but Frontier offers a much lower starting price.
Best Internet in Riverside in 2024
Riverside ISP Comparison
Supplier | Internet technologies | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data Limitation | A contract | CNET review result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T Home Internet | DSL hybrid | $55 | 10-100Mbps | None | 1.5TB | None | 7.4 |
AT&T Fiber | fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5000 Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
Border communications | DSL, optical fiber | $45-$130 | 500-5000 Mbps | None | None | None | 6.3 |
Spectrum | Cable | $50-$80 | 300-1000 Mbps | Free modem; $7 router (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
T-Mobile Home Internet | Fixed wireless | $60 ($40 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
Verizon 5G Home Internet | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50-1000 Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of vendor data.
Source: CNET analysis of vendor data.
How to find online deals and promotions in Riverside
The best online deals and top promotions in Riverside depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we’re often on the lookout for the latest deals.
Riverside ISPs like Spectrum may offer lower introductory rates or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, such as AT&T, Frontier and Verizon, maintain the same standard rates year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, see our guide to the best internet deals.
The fastest internet plans in Riverside
Supplier | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data Limitation | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T Fiber 5000 | $245 | 5000 Mbps | 5000 Mbps | None | fiber |
Frontier Fiber 5 Gig | $130 | 5000 Mbps | 5000 Mbps | None | fiber |
AT&T Fiber 2000 | $145 | 2000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps | None | fiber |
Frontier Fiber 2 Gig | $100 | 2000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps | None | fiber |
AT&T Fiber 1000 | $80 | 1000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps | None | fiber |
Frontier Fiber 1 Gig | $65 | 1000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps | None | fiber |
Spectrum Internet Gig | $80 | 1000 Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet | $70 ($45 with eligible mobile plan) | 1000 Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
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Source: CNET analysis of vendor data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an Internet plan that can include video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more stable connection. Here’s an overview of recommended minimum download speeds for different apps, according to the FCC. Note that these are guidelines only and that internet speed, service and performance will vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide to how much internet speed do you really need?.
- 0 to 5 Mbps lets you handle the basics: surfing the web, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40 Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should provide a single user with enough bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one or two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1000 Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET chose the best ISPs in Riverside
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest ones smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it is not practical to personally test every ISP in a city. What is our approach? We start by researching pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical data from ISPs, provider sites and mapping information on FCC.gov.
It doesn’t stop there: We go to the FCC website to check our data and make sure we account for every ISP that provides service in an area. We also enter local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to gauge how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent change; all information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer relatively fast internet access?
- Are customers getting decent value for what they pay?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
The answer to these questions is often layered and complex, but the vendors that come closest to saying yes to all three are the ones we recommend. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also take into account things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively easy. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
ISPs in Riverside FAQ
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