Best Internet Providers in San Diego, CA
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Top 9 Internet Service Providers in San Diego, CA
1. AT&T
95.2% Available
2. Spectrum
49.5% Available
3. Cox Cable
64% Available
4. Viasat
100% Available
5. EarthLink
45.8% Available
6. HughesNet
100% Available
7. San Diego Broadband
20.3% Available
8. Starlink
100% Available
9. Verizon
32.9% Available
Internet Resources for Low-Income Families in San Diego
Despite the need, digital products like internet service and computers remain disproportionately inaccessible to low-income households. The following is a list of resources we compiled to help San Diego families connect with the technology essential to their academic and professional success:
Discounted Distance Learning Devices
- Education Support Center: The Education Support Center’s Laptops for Children program collects used laptops from donors, refurbishes them, installs the necessary software, and redistributes them to low-income families in San Diego for free.
- San Diego Futures Foundation (SDFF): SDFF offers steeply discounted professionally refurbished computers to qualifying individuals. These computers are available to applicants who are enrolled in a government assistance program, have a documented disability, live in a foster family, are at least 62 years old, are a veteran, or work for a nonprofit organization. SDFF computers start at only $80 and come with Windows 10 and Microsoft Office Home and Business.
- Computers 2 Kids, San Diego: The Computers 2 Kids Technology Assistance Program provides eligible, low-income families with a refurbished computer preloaded with a digital package designed to support any K-12 student’s needs, including Microsoft, Adobe and My Home Learning software. The computer and software are available for purchase between $80 and $150 depending on the family’s desired package.
Local Refurbished or Discounted Devices
Remote Learning Programs
- San Diego Public Library: Your one-stop shop for high-quality, free learning material, the San Diego Public Library system provides library cardholders free access to hundreds of books, movies, programs, and virtual events along with recommendations and resources to guide you and your child. All you need to access this material is a library card, and that’s totally free.
- San Diego Padres: San Diego’s MLB team is dedicated to the community they play for, and to show that, they created Compadres Kids, a program of free online activities and videos meant to keep kids busy and educated when they aren’t able to play ball.
- San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum: When making a trip to the museum isn’t an option, the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum makes a trip to you by offering free online music, movement, and STREAM activities your kids will love.
Free Wireless Internet Access in San Diego
The City of San Diego’s Access 4 All program makes Wi-Fi and free laptop rentals publicly available through their outdoor computer labs Monday through Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. You can access this free service at the following library branch locations:
- Central Library
- City Heights/Weingart Library
- Linda Vista Library
- Logan Heights Library
- Otay Mesa-Nestor Library
For more information about various locations offering free Wi-Fi internet access, take a look at our map of free public Wi-Fi in San Diego at the bottom of this page:
Free Wireless Internet Access in San Diego, CA
Frequently Asked Questions About San Diego Internet Providers
Which provider offers the fastest internet in San Diego?
AT&T Fiber and EarthLink both offer plans with speeds up to 5 Gbps in San Diego.
Which provider offers the cheapest internet in San Diego?
Spectrum and Cox tie for the cheapest plans in San Diego, with starting prices at $49.99 per month for 12 months.
What type of wired internet is most common in San Diego?
DSL is the most available wired internet connection in San Diego.
Does San Diego have fiber-optic internet access?
Up to 33 percent of the San Diego area has access to fiber internet.
Can I get 5G internet in San Diego?
Both T-Mobile and Verizon offer a 5G Home Internet product in San Diego.
Which San Diego neighborhoods offer the most internet provider options?
Carmel Valley, Tierrasanta, Rancho Bernardo, San Pasqual, and Mira Mesa are just a few of the neighborhoods that have their pick of five different internet providers, including popular names like AT&T, Spectrum, and Cox.
Internet Provider Store Locations in San Diego
Compare Internet Providers in Nearby Cities:
Bonita, Chula Vista, Coronado, El Cajon, La Jolla, La Mesa, Lemon Grove, National City, Santee, Spring Valley
Average download speed in San Diego:
162 Mbps
Based on 458,977 speed tests
Best Internet Provider in San Diego
- AT&T - Fast download speeds in San Diego, most Fiber availability and most DSL availability
- Spectrum - No data caps and most Cable availability
- Cox Cable - Cable or Fiber up to 2000 Mbps
- Viasat - Most internet coverage in San Diego
- EarthLink - 5g internet up to 100 Mbps
- HughesNet - Another great satellite internet alternative for those who can't get Cable, Fiber, or DSL
- San Diego Broadband - Fixed wireless up to 500 Mbps
- Starlink - Widely available
- Verizon - 5g internet up to 1000 Mbps
How Much Speed Do I Need?
25+ Mbps
- Web Surfing & Email
- HD Streaming
- Supports 1-2 Devices
- Ideal for 1-2 people
100+ Mbps
- Ultra HD (4K) Streaming
- Low Lag Online Gaming
- Supports 3-5 Devices
- Ideal for 2-6 people
1 Gig
- Multi 4K HD Streaming
- No Lag Online Gaming
- Supports more than 5 Devices
- Ideal for 6+ people
An Overview of Internet Providers in San Diego By Connection
| Provider | Connection | Download speeds up to | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Fiber | 5 Gbps | 39% |
| AT&T | IPBB | 100 Mbps | 95% |
| Spectrum | Cable | 1 Gbps | 50% |
| Cox Cable | Cable | 2 Gbps | 64% |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | 100% |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | 100% |
| AT&T | 5G Internet | 225 Mbps | 5% |
| San Diego Broadband | Fixed Wireless | 500 Mbps | 20% |
| Starlink | Satellite | 220 Mbps | 100% |
| Verizon | 5G Internet | 1 Gbps | 33% |
| EarthLink | 5G Internet | 100 Mbps | 46% |
| Provider | Connection | Download speeds up to | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | 100% |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | 100% |
| Starlink | Satellite | 220 Mbps | 100% |
| AT&T | IPBB | 100 Mbps | 95% |
| AT&T | Fiber | 5 Gbps | 39% |
| San Diego Broadband | Fixed Wireless | 500 Mbps | 20% |
| Verizon | 5G Internet | 1 Gbps | 33% |
| AT&T | 5G Internet | 100 Mbps | 5% |
| Spectrum | Cable | 1 Gbps | 50% |
| Cox Cable | Cable | 2 Gbps | 64% |
| Lightwave Broadband | Fixed Wireless | 60 Mbps | 1% |
| Cox Cable | Fiber | 2 Gbps | 1% |
Popular Zip Codes in San Diego, CA:
Internet Availability by Connection Type in San Diego
Internet service providers in San Diego use different methods for connecting their customers to the web. Connection types matter, so choose wisely. Fiber is generally the fastest and most reliable option, followed by cable, DSL and 5G home internet.
Fiber - 99%
What is Mbps?
Mbps is the abbreviation for megabits per second, and it also appears written as Mbits/sec. Internet providers use megabits per second to measure speeds. Broadband speeds are 25 Mbps or faster. Learn more about Mbps.
Who is InMyArea.com?
InMyArea.com is a 5 star rated internet service provider comparison and home services website. Read more about InMyArea.com.
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