Compare 95521 internet speeds to the national average
Download Speeds
Arcata – 120 Mbps
CA – 102 Mbps
U.S. – 123 Mbps
Upload Speeds
Arcata – 20 Mbps
CA – 28 Mbps
U.S. – 44 Mbps
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Arcata.
Internet providers in 95521
Internet providers in your area
95521 internet providers
| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $55.00 | 10 - 5,000 Mbps | DSL | 95% |
| Optimum | $40.00 | 300 - 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 100% |
| HughesNet | $64.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $69.99 | 12 - 150 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
101Netlink  | $55.00 | 10 - 100 Mbps | Wireless | 100% |
| Velocity Communications | $39.95 | 3 - 30 Mbps | Wireless | 40% |
*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 Sep 23, 2022.
Need help?95521 internet service at a glance
Broadband availability
14750
people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 99.85%
2 providers - 94.80%
3 providers - 0%
4+ providers - 0%
Source: FCC
At 100%, broadband coverage in the 95521 ZIP code is comparable to the rest of California - 93%, and comparable to broadband coverage across the U.S. - 95%.
The vast majority of those living in the 95521 ZIP will have access to cable, which covers 100% of households. DSL internet is also an option for many, offering service to 95% of the area. No fiber-optic providers are currently available in Arcata, but satellite or fixed-wireless providers may offer broadband options in your area.
There are six internet providers serving the 95521 area, and 94.80% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among six internet providers in 95521, prices start at $39.95 and available download speeds reach up to 5,000 Mbps.
Results from real users
Average internet speeds in Arcata
| Provider | Download speed | Upload speed | Internet type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 11 Mbps | 1 Mbps | DSL |
| Optimum | 145 Mbps | 22 Mbps | Cable |
| 101Netlink | 15 Mbps | 4 Mbps | Wireless |
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Arcata.
Top high-speed internet providers in 95521
The largest internet providers serving the 95521 ZIP code are AT&T, Optimum, and HughesNet bringing DSL, cable, and satellite options to the area.
DSL internet from AT&T is available to nearly all in the 95521 ZIP code, covering 95% of households. Many will also have the option of cable from Optimum, which covers 100% of the area. Arcata’s third most-available internet provider, HughesNet, offers satellite to around 100% of residents in the 95521 ZIP code.
AT&T DSL internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. 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 Sep 23, 2022.
DSL from AT&T offers broadband to nearly all households in the 95521 ZIP code, covering 95% of the area.
DSL internet from AT&T 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 AT&T start at $55/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Arcata, $54.16.
AT&T customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 10 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $5.50 per Mbps, significantly higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Arcata, $0.90.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, AT&T offers download speeds up to 5,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 0.768 Mbps in 95521 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 95% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Arcata's providers, 183 Mbps.
Optimum cable internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. 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 Sep 23, 2022.
Cable from Optimum offers broadband to all households in the 95521 ZIP code, covering 100% of the area.
Optimum’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but 95521 residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Optimum start at $40/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Arcata, $54.16.
Optimum customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 300 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.13 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Arcata, $0.90.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Optimum offers download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps in 95521 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 100% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Arcata's providers, 183 Mbps.
HughesNet satellite internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. 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 Sep 23, 2022.
Satellite from HughesNet offers broadband to all households in the 95521 ZIP code, covering 100% of the area.
HughesNet satellite internet offers reliable connection throughout the 95521 ZIP where other internet types may not be available, but service is likely to come with low monthly data allowances and high latency, making streaming binges and real-time online gaming impractical.
Internet prices for HughesNet start at $64.99/mo.*, which is significantly higher than the average starting price for internet in Arcata, $54.16.
HughesNet customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 25 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $2.60 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Arcata, $0.90.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, HughesNet offers download speeds up to 25 Mbps and upload speeds up to 3 Mbps in 95521 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 100% of the area, and are much slower than the average max speeds from all Arcata's providers, 183 Mbps.
Internet providers in 95521 frequently asked questions
AT&T is the fastest internet provider in the 95521 ZIP code with download speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 95% of households in 95521. The next fastest internet provider in the 95521 ZIP code is Optimum, offering download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps to 100% of the area.
Velocity Communications offers the cheapest internet in the 95521 ZIP with service starting at $39.95/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in Arcata, $54.16.
If you suspect your slow speeds are the result of your internet provider throttling your connection, the easiest way to determine if you’re being throttled is to perform two speed tests. Run the first test on your regular network, then run the second one on a VPN. If the two speeds are drastically different (and the VPN test was higher), your internet provider may be throttling your speeds.
Resetting your router and optimizing your router settings can give you an instant speed boost. Consider Wi-Fi extenders if your signal is weaker in certain areas of your home. Also, be sure to check your Wi-Fi network to see if there are any unknown devices or users connected that could be slowing your network.
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.
Internet deals such as speed upgrades, promotional pricing, equipment perks and free installation are available from many internet providers. Bundling internet with TV and home phone is also a popular way to get a deal on internet.
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