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What is the best internet provider in Riverside?
Spectrum is the best internet service provider for most households in Riverside, California. According to data from the Federal Communications Commission, this cable giant offers reasonable prices, speeds, a vast network and service to over 90% of homes.
However, CNET recommends AT&T Fiber for those trying to get fiber. For fixed wireless connectivity, you should look to T-Mobile Home Internet. Ultimately, the best internet provider for you will depend on what's available at your location.
We've found the best prices and fastest services in Riverside for your broadband needs. Frontier Fiber has the most affordable plan at $45 per month for speeds up to 500Mbps. If that's not available, Spectrum offers a similar plan for $50. For the fastest options, both AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber have 5 gigabit plans, with Frontier being the more affordable choice.
Best internet in Riverside in 2024
Riverside internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Home Internet Read full review | DSL hybrid | $55 | 10-100Mbps | None | 1.5TB | None | 7.4 |
| AT&T Fiber Read full review | Fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Frontier Communications Read full review | DSL, fiber | $45-$130 | 500-5,000Mbps | None | None | None | 6.3 |
| Spectrum Read full review | Cable | $50-$70 | 500-1,000Mbps | Free modem; $10 router (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $50 ($40 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What's the cheapest internet plan in Riverside?
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Riverside
The best internet deals and top promotions in Riverside depend on what discounts are available during that period. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Riverside internet providers, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, such as AT&T, Frontier and Verizon, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Riverside
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Fiber 5000 Read full review | $245 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Frontier Fiber 5 Gig Read full review | $130 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 2000 Read full review | $145 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Frontier Fiber 2 Gig Read full review | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| AT&T Fiber 1000 Read full review | $80 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Frontier Fiber 1 Gig Read full review | $65 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review | $70 ($45 with eligible mobile plan) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What's 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 accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Riverside
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike with the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What's our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information at FCC.gov.
It doesn't end there: We go to the FCC's website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they're paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to "yes" on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Riverside FAQ
What is the best internet service provider in Riverside?
Spectrum is the best internet provider in Riverside, thanks to its large serviceability in the area. Spectrum also offers prices as cheap as $50 per month and speeds up to 1,000Mbps.
Is fiber internet available in Riverside?
Yes. Fiber connectivity is available through AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber, but select households may also be serviceable for fiber internet under Southern California Telephone Company.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Riverside?
The cheapest plan in Riverside is offered through Frontier Fiber, costing $45 per month for speeds up to 500Mbps.
Which internet provider in Riverside offers the fastest plan?
AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber tie for the fastest service in Riverside. Both providers offer 5 gigabits of speed, but AT&T's plan costs $245 versus Frontier's $130.