| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $55.00 | 10 - 5,000 Mbps | DSL | 99% |
| AT&T | $55.00 | 10 - 5,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 0.767% |
| Xfinity | $29.99 | 50 - 3,000 Mbps | Cable | 97% |
| Xfinity | $29.99 | 50 - 3,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 0.092% |
| Sonic Telecom | $39.99 | 24 - 1,000 Mbps | Wired | 54% |
| Sonic Telecom | $39.99 | 24 - 1,000 Mbps | DSL | 41% |
| HughesNet | $64.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $69.99 | 12 - 150 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
Cruzio Internet  | $74.95 | - | Wireless | 100% |
| Etheric Networks | - | 15 - 160 Mbps | Wireless | 6.400% |
*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 Feb 14, 2023.
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people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 99.79%
2 providers - 97.39%
3 providers - 54.68%
4+ providers - 8.03%
Source: FCC
At 100%, broadband coverage in Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto area will have access to DSL, which covers 99% of Palo Alto residents. Cable internet is also an option for many, offering service to 96% of the area. Fiber-optic is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 41% of those living in Palo Alto.
There are seven internet providers serving the Palo Alto area, and 97.39% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among Palo Alto's seven internet providers, prices start at $29.99 and available download speeds reach up to 5,000 Mbps.
Results from real users
| Provider | Download speed | Upload speed | Internet type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sonic Telecom | 22.0 Mbps | 17.0 Mbps | Wired |
| AT&T | 200.0 Mbps | 175.0 Mbps | DSL |
| Xfinity | 211.0 Mbps | 219.0 Mbps | Cable |
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Palo Alto.
The largest internet providers in Palo Alto are AT&T, Xfinity, and Sonic Telecom bringing DSL and cable options to Palo Alto.
DSL internet from AT&T is available to nearly all Palo Alto residents, covering 99% of households. Many will also have the option of cable from Xfinity, which covers 97% of the area. Palo Alto’s third most-available internet provider, Sonic Telecom, offers DSL to around 41% of Palo Alto residents.
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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 Feb 14, 2023.
DSL from AT&T offers broadband to all households in Palo Alto covering 99% of the area.
DSL internet from AT&T uses telephone lines in Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto, $55.82.
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 Palo Alto, $1.36.
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 20 Mbps in Palo Alto. These download speeds are available to 99% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Palo Alto's providers, 641 Mbps.
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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 Feb 14, 2023.
Cable from Xfinity offers broadband to nearly all households in Palo Alto covering 97% of the area.
Xfinity’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but Palo Alto residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Xfinity start at $29.99/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Palo Alto, $55.82.
Xfinity customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 50 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.60 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Palo Alto, $1.36.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Xfinity offers download speeds up to 3,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 35 Mbps in Palo Alto. These download speeds are available to 97% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Palo Alto's providers, 641 Mbps.
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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 Feb 14, 2023.
DSL from Sonic Telecom offers broadband to about half of households in Palo Alto covering 41% of the area.
DSL internet from Sonic Telecom uses telephone lines in Palo Alto 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 Sonic Telecom start at $39.99/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Palo Alto, $55.82.
Sonic Telecom customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 24 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $1.67 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Palo Alto, $1.36.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Sonic Telecom offers download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 4 Mbps in Palo Alto. These download speeds are available to 41% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Palo Alto's providers, 641 Mbps.
If you live in the heart of Palo Alto, you’ll likely have options from DSL, cable, and fiber-optic internet providers. For those in rural areas or just outside Palo Alto, however, satellite or fixed wireless internet may be the best internet option.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in Palo Alto and surrounding areas. HughesNet starting prices are higher than average in Palo Alto at $64.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are significantly higher than average in Palo Alto at $69.99/mo. for speeds up to 150 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many Palo Alto residents, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
Fixed wireless is another popular internet option for those in rural areas. Those living in or just outside of Palo Alto may have access to fixed wireless internet service from HughesNet, with plans starting at $64.99 and available download speeds up to 25 Mbps. Fixed wireless service is less likely to come with the high latency of satellite internet, but monthly data limits can still be an issue compared to Palo Alto DSL, cable, and fiber-optic internet providers.
AT&T is the fastest internet provider in Palo Alto with download speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 99% of households in Palo Alto. The next fastest internet provider in Palo Alto is AT&T, offering download speeds up to 5,000 Mbps to 0.767% of the area.
Xfinity offers the cheapest internet in Palo Alto with plans starting at $29.99/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in Palo Alto, $55.82.
AT&T is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in Palo Alto, covering 0.767% of the city. Xfinity also offers fiber internet in Palo Alto and is available to 0.092% of households.
There are many factors that can influence internet speed. In many cases, restarting your router will resolve speed and connectivity issues. Other factors, such as peak usage times and speed throttling can also cause temporary speed issues.
Available providers vary by address, but your location is likely serviceable for cable and DSL internet. Fiber internet may also be an internet option, but this technology is typically found in larger cities. Those living in rural areas not serviceable for cable, DSL or fiber internet may find satellite or fixed wireless internet to be their only options.
Wi-Fi extenders are handy when your router can’t project a strong signal to everywhere in your home that you need it. Your internet provider may offer Wi-Fi extenders for an added monthly cost, or you can purchase one online or from most electronics retailers.
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