Starting From
$35.00/mo.
Starting From
$70.00/mo.
As the most populated city in one of the largest US states, Houston’s economy is primarily driven by the energy sector. But is Houston ready to shift towards a more digitized world? The city’s digital landscape is dominated by well-known names such as AT&T and Xfinity. This booming metropolis is leading in broadband coverage, which is a cornerstone of its development.
While the connectivity options are abundant, some internet providers in Houston stand out due to their performance and high accessibility, facilitating growth and boosting digital inclusivity. So, what is the most common type of internet in this vibrant city? Who has the best network, and which provider offers the fastest and cheapest internet? Let’s explore each of these components so you can select the best connection for your home.
| Providers | Speed | Starting Price | Type |
| AT&T | Up to 100 Mbps | $55.00/mo. | IPBB |
| AT&T Fiber | Up to 5000 Mbps | $55.00/mo. | Fiber |
| Xfinity | Up to 1200 Mbps | $19.99/mo. | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | Up to 1000 Mbps | $50.00/mo. | 5G Internet |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | Up to 245 Mbps | $50.00/mo. | 5G Internet |
| HughesNet | Up to 50 Mbps | $49.99/mo. | Satellite |
| Viasat | Up to 150 Mbps | $49.99/mo. | Satellite |
Nearly every Houston resident has access to at least one internet provider due to the city’s excellent broadband landscape. Although Ookla’s list of the top 50 fastest cities in the US does not feature Houston, the city offers several high-speed fiber and cable internet options. Moreover, people can also access DSL, fixed wireless, and satellite internet providers in Houston.
Fiber internet service can deliver speeds of up to 10,000 Mbps since it relies on data transmission through silica glass cables. Houston’s fiber coverage is over 50%, and AT&T is the best fiber internet service provider in this city, offering a wide range of speeds so that residents can select the most suitable option for their digital adventures. However, it has a limited footprint in Houston and is mostly available in specific locations such as Hyde Park, Spring Branch, and more.
Overall, AT&T Fiber is one of the most popular fiber internet providers in Houston due to its 99.9% reliable network, high internet speeds, and excellent customer service.
| Fiber Internet Providers in Houston | |||
| Providers | Starting Price | Speed Range | Data Caps |
| AT&T Fiber | $55.00/mo. | 300 Mbps – 5000 Mbps | None |
Cable is the most widely available wired internet technology in the country, as it relies on the same network used for cable TV. It is also the most accessible land-based internet option in Houston, covering over 90% of the city.
Xfinity is one of the best cable internet providers in Houston, offering plans ranging from 75 Mbps to 1,200 Mbps at some of the most competitive rates in the market. While it cannot match the symmetrical internet speeds of fiber, Xfinity’s extensive presence makes it a popular choice in Houston. Its excellent customer reputation also plays a significant role in its popularity. However, the 1.2 TB data restriction on Xfinity’s internet services might lead you to second-guess your decision.
| Cable Internet Providers in Houston | |||
| Providers | Starting Price | Speed Range | Data Caps |
| Xfinity | $19.99/mo. | 75 Mbps – 1200 Mbps | 1.2 TB |
The popularity of fixed wireless internet is growing due to the efforts of internet providers in Houston, like Verizon and T-Mobile, but it is still not widely available throughout the city. Both, Verizon and T-Mobile use their 5G networks to offer wireless broadband access in Houston. While T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet plan offers download speeds between 72 to 245 Mbps, Verizon’s advertised rates range from 300 to 1,000 Mbps. However, very few people can access 1 gigabit speed with 5G, and the most common fixed wireless speed in Houston is at least 200 Mbps, which is significantly better than satellite internet.
Although the advertised speeds of T-Mobile and Verizon’s 5G Home Internet cannot compete with land-based broadband connections like fiber and cable, these Houston internet providers are more cost-effective as they offer internet access at a fixed rate with no additional charges. The only difference is that T-Mobile’s price guarantee is for a lifetime, while Verizon offers relief for some years, depending on the chosen plan.
| Fixed Wireless Internet Providers in Houston | ||
| Providers | Starting Price | Speed Range |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | $50.00/mo. | 72 Mbps – 245 Mbps |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | $50.00/mo. | 300 Mbps – 1000 Mbps |
DSL internet is a familiar option in Houston due to its widespread network. This type of internet uses your home phone lines to offer broadband access, which means that you can receive calls without frequent interruptions to your internet connection. AT&T is a popular DSL internet provider in Houston. However, unlike traditional DSL internet technology, this internet service is more reliable and faster because AT&T uses a hybrid fiber and copper network called IPBB. As a result, Houston residents can access up to a 100 Mbps internet connection without interruptions.
While the provider enforces data caps on most of its IPBB plans, its 100 Mbps internet comes with unlimited data. All the speed tiers have the same starting price of $55, which may seem higher than other internet options, but it actually includes standard equipment and very few additional charges, making AT&T a prominent name in the city.
| DSL Internet Providers in Houston | |||
| Providers | Starting Price | Speed Range | Data Caps |
| AT&T | $55.00/mo. | 10 Mbps – 100 Mbps | 1.5 TB |
Satellite internet is the most widely available option in Houston as it uses geostationary satellites to transmit broadband signals. However, it has its drawbacks. Satellite internet plans are usually more costly and offer slower speeds due to the distance between the satellite and Earth, and there are data caps. Hence, city residents mostly opt for wired internet services if they are available at their address. But satellite internet is the only way to connect to the internet for people with limited or no options.
HughesNet and Viasat are two prominent satellite internet providers in Houston. While HughesNet is more reliable and affordable, Viasat is faster and provides more monthly data allowance. Both options, however, are sensitive to bad weather.
| Satellite Internet Providers in Houston | |||
| Providers | Starting Price | Speed Range | Data Caps |
| Viasat | $49.99/mo. | 25 Mbps – 150 Mbps | 60 GB – 500 GB |
| HughesNet | $49.99/mo. | 15 Mbps – 50 Mbps | 15 GB – 200 GB |
Houston residents have several high-speed internet options, but it is AT&T that provides the fastest internet speed in the city, offering up to 5,000 Mbps. Rolled out in 2022, AT&T Internet 5000 is a high-end plan by the provider that offers equal upload and download speeds for a starting price of $250. This price is not promotional and includes all taxes and standard equipment.
However, 5000 Mbps is a considerable amount of speed. Therefore, this plan is only suitable for power internet users, such as cloud-based businesses, IT professionals, content creators, researchers, and more in Houston, as it offers exceptionally high bandwidth that you don’t have to share with your neighbors, unlike cable internet. As a result, you can expect more consistent and reliable speeds with AT&T Internet 5000, especially during peak hours. However, this high-speed internet plan is not available in all neighborhoods of Houston due to the limited fiber infrastructure of AT&T.
| Fastest Internet Plan in Houston, TX | |
| Plan | AT&T Internet 5000 |
| Starting Price | $250.00/mo. + taxes with AutoPay & Paperless Bill |
| Download Speed | 5000 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 5000 Mbps |
| Data Caps | None |
| Contract | None |
| Equipment | Included |
| Installation | $99.00 |
| Reward Card | $150.00 |
Houston has a few internet service providers that offer affordable plans starting below $50. However, keep in mind that advertised prices may not reflect the actual amount you’ll pay each month. The rates often vary depending on your ZIP code, and providers charge additional fees for installation, equipment rental, taxes, and other miscellaneous charges.
Xfinity offers the most affordable entry-level internet plan in Houston, called Connect, providing speeds of 75 Mbps at a starting price of $20 per month. While you may need to pay additional fees for equipment and other services, Xfinity’s Connect plan is still cost-effective for individuals on a tight budget. This internet plan includes a 1-year contract and a 1.2 TB monthly data allowance. Although the data cap may seem restrictive, 1.2 TB is a generous amount of data that can support almost every online activity. Xfinity Connect is perfect for people who use the internet casually, such as individual users or small households.
| Cheapest Internet Plan in Houston, TX | |
| Plan | Xfinity Connect |
| Starting Price | $20.00/mo. for 12 mos. with AutoPay |
| Download Speed | 75 Mbps |
| Upload Speed | 10 Mbps |
| Data Caps | 1.2 TB |
| Contract | 1-year |
| Equipment | $15.00/mo. – $25.00/mo. |
| Installation | $100.00 |
Low-income households in Houston can access free internet for a limited time by subscribing to one of the ACP providers who have partnered with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Xfinity is a prominent name in this city due to its comprehensive coverage and affordability. The provider collaborates with the FCC to offer cheap internet to impoverished families through the Affordable Connectivity Program.
This program provides a $30 discount on all Xfinity internet plans. As a result, qualifying households can access free internet for a year if they subscribe to Xfinity’s entry-level plan. However, it is necessary to note that even though you don’t have to pay the subscription fee for this plan for a year with the $30 discount from ACP, Xfinity has a few additional charges that may prevent it from being entirely free.
| Houston Internet Providers for Low-income Households | |||
| Provider | Plan | Starting Price | Price after ACP |
| Xfinity | Connect | $20.00/mo. | $0 |
Houston offers a wide range of internet options using various technologies. Therefore, residents in the city can access the internet via fiber, cable, DSL, satellite, or fixed wireless service. However, the availability of each internet type varies depending on the infrastructure, so your ZIP code may not have every option.
The city’s impressive cable infrastructure makes Xfinity the most widely available wired internet provider. DSL is also widely available. However, Houston is also ahead of the game in terms of fiber infrastructure, allowing half of the city’s residents to access high internet speeds. You can look at the following table to get a glimpse of the coverage areas of the top 7 internet providers in Houston.
| Providers | Coverage | Type of Internet |
| HughesNet | 100% | Satellite |
| Viasat | 100% | Satellite |
| Xfinity | 95% | Cable |
| AT&T | 92% | IPBB |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 72% | 5G Internet |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | 66% | 5G Internet |
| AT&T Fiber | 57.6% | Fiber |
Houston’s diversity attracts many people from all over the world. The city also has an excellent digital landscape. As a result, numerous internet providers in Houston offer a wide array of options to connect the residents. However, one name consistently rises to the top: AT&T.
AT&T is the best internet provider in Houston due to its accessible internet services. The provider offers both IPBB and fiber internet plans in the city and is committed to providing reliable broadband access. It is also the fastest internet provider in Houston, offering symmetrical speeds of up to 5,000 Mbps. Furthermore, AT&T’s excellent customer service has solidified its position as the best internet service. In short, AT&T sets the benchmarks for internet providers in Houston and serves businesses and residents alike.
Yes, fiber internet options are available in Houston. AT&T is one the most popular fiber internet providers in Houston.
HughesNet and Viasat are the most widely available internet providers in Houston. Aside from these satellite internet providers, Xfinity offers the best coverage in Houston.
The average download speed offered by internet providers in Houston is 153 Mbps.
The average upload speed offered by internet providers in Houston is 56 Mbps.
Yes, you can get free internet if you qualify for Xfinity’s Affordable Connectivity Program.
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