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Internet providers in 36542
Find internet providers serving the 36542 area. Compare plan pricing and speeds from fiber-optic, cable and DSL providers.
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36542 internet providers
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Provider | ||||
CenturyLink | $45 | 12 - 100 Mbps | DSL | 97% |
CenturyLink | $65 | 12 - 100 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 15% |
Mediacom | $29.99 | 60 - 200 Mbps | Cable | 100% |
Harbor Communications | - | - | Fiber-optic | 100% |
Harbor Communications | - | - | Wired | 100% |
HughesNet | $59.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
Viasat | $50 | 12 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
Harbor Communications | - | - | Wireless | 100% |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Jun 1, 2020.
Need help?36542 internet service at a glance
At 100%, broadband coverage in the 36542 ZIP code is comparable to the rest of Alabama - 94%, and comparable to broadband coverage across the U.S. - 95%.
The vast majority of those living in the 36542 ZIP will have access to DSL, which covers 100% of households. Cable internet is also an option for many, offering service to 100% of the area. Fiber-optic is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 100% of those living in the 36542 ZIP code.
There are five internet providers serving the 36542 area, and 99.98% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among five internet providers in 36542, prices start at $29.99 and available download speeds reach up to 200 Mbps.
Top high-speed internet providers in 36542
The largest internet providers serving the 36542 ZIP code are CenturyLink and Mediacom bringing DSL, fiber-optic, and cable options to the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink is available to nearly all in the 36542 ZIP code, covering 97% of households. Some will also have the option of fiber-optic from CenturyLink, which covers 15% of the area. Gulf Shores’s third most-available internet provider, Mediacom, offers cable to around 100% of residents in the 36542 ZIP code.

CenturyLink DSL internet
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*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of Jun 1, 2020.
DSL from CenturyLink offers broadband to nearly all households in the 36542 ZIP code, covering 97% of the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink uses telephone lines to deliver service, which often leads to lower prices and higher availability, though download speeds are likely to be slower than cable or fiber-optic internet.
Internet prices for CenturyLink start at $45/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Gulf Shores, $46.25.
CenturyLink customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 12 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $3.75 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Gulf Shores, $1.54.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, CenturyLink offers download speeds up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds up to 40 Mbps in 36542 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 97% of the area, and are about the same as the average max speeds from all Gulf Shores's providers, 113 Mbps.

CenturyLink fiber-optic internet
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*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of Jun 1, 2020.
Fiber-optic from CenturyLink offers broadband to a limited number of households in the 36542 ZIP code, covering 15% of the area.
Fiber-optic service from CenturyLink is popular for its fast download and upload speeds, even during peak usage times, but may be less available throughout 36542 ZIP code than other internet types.
Internet prices for CenturyLink start at $65/mo.*, which is significantly higher than the average starting price for internet in Gulf Shores, $46.25.
CenturyLink customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 12 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $5.42 per Mbps, significantly higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Gulf Shores, $1.54.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, CenturyLink offers download speeds up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds up to 100 Mbps in 36542 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 15% of the area, and are about the same as the average max speeds from all Gulf Shores's providers, 113 Mbps.

Mediacom cable internet
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*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Speeds may vary. As of Jun 1, 2020.
Cable from Mediacom offers broadband to all households in the 36542 ZIP code, covering 100% of the area.
Mediacom’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but 36542 residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Mediacom start at $29.99/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Gulf Shores, $46.25.
Mediacom customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 60 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.50 per Mbps, lower than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Gulf Shores, $1.54.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Mediacom offers download speeds up to 200 Mbps and upload speeds up to 20 Mbps in 36542 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 100% of the area, and are slightly faster than the average max speeds from all Gulf Shores's providers, 113 Mbps.
Internet coverage for rural areas
If you have limited cable, DSL and fiber-optic internet options in the 36542 ZIP code, satellite and fixed wireless providers may be available.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in 36542 and the greater Gulf Shores area. HughesNet starting prices are significantly higher than average in Gulf Shores at $59.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are about average in Gulf Shores at $50/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many in the 36542 ZIP, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
Internet providers in 36542 frequently asked questions
What’s the fastest internet provider in 36542?
Mediacom is the fastest internet provider in the 36542 ZIP code with download speeds up to 200 Mbps. These speeds are available to 100% of households in 36542. The next fastest internet provider in the 36542 ZIP code is CenturyLink, offering download speeds up to 100 Mbps to 97% of the area.
What’s the cheapest internet provider in 36542?
Mediacom offers the cheapest internet in the 36542 ZIP with service starting at $29.99/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in Gulf Shores, $46.25.
Is fiber internet available in 36542?
Harbor Communications is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider serving the 36542 ZIP code, covering 100% of the city. CenturyLink also offers fiber internet in 36542 and is available to 15% of households.
What internet providers are available at my address?
No matter where you live, your address is likely serviceable for satellite internet from providers such as HughesNet and Viasat. You will probably also have the option of at least one cable provider, such as Cox, Spectrum and Xfinity, and DSL providers such as Frontier and Verizon. Roughly a third of households will be eligible for fiber internet from AT&T, CenturyLink, Windstream or other providers.
Why aren’t there more internet options?
According to the FCC, 93% of households have access to three or more providers. In many areas, a cable, DSL, satellite and possibly fiber-optic provider may be available. You are unlikely, however, to find multiple providers of the same internet type, such as two cable providers, in the same location because operating expenses in an area already served by another provider can be too high to be profitable.
Is cable or fiber internet better?
Fiber and cable internet are similar internet service types, but fiber offers a few advantages over cable. Fiber internet can deliver faster upload and download speeds than cable in most areas, and is less vulnerable to slowed speeds during peak usage times. Cable does have the advantage over fiber in terms of availability, covering 89% of U.S. households compared to fiber’s 38%.