| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $55.00 | 10 - 5,000 Mbps | DSL | 98% |
| AT&T | $55.00 | 10 - 5,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 35% |
| Xfinity | $29.99 | 50 - 3,000 Mbps | Cable | 99% |
Wave Broadband  | $40.00 | 5 - 20 Mbps | Cable | 87% |
| Sonic Telecom | $39.99 | 24 - 1,000 Mbps | Wired | 28% |
| Sonic Telecom | $39.99 | 24 - 1,000 Mbps | DSL | 24% |
| Raw Bandwidth Communications | $29.95 | 3 - 50 Mbps | DSL | 19% |
| Wave Broadband | $40.00 | 5 - 20 Mbps | Wired | 0.702% |
| HughesNet | $64.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $69.99 | 12 - 150 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Etheric Networks | - | 15 - 1,000 Mbps | Wireless | 9.559% |
*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.
Need help?97208
people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 99.73%
2 providers - 99.50%
3 providers - 89.88%
4+ providers - 39.45%
Source: FCC
At 100%, broadband coverage in San Mateo 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 San Mateo area will have access to cable, which covers 100% of San Mateo residents. DSL internet is also an option for many, offering service to 94% of the area. Fiber-optic is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 84% of those living in San Mateo.
There are eight internet providers serving the San Mateo area, and 99.50% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among San Mateo's eight internet providers, prices start at $29.95 and available download speeds reach up to 5,000 Mbps.
Results from real users
| Provider | Download speed | Upload speed | Internet type |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 136.0 Mbps | 114.0 Mbps | DSL |
| Etheric Networks | 41.0 Mbps | 22.0 Mbps | Wireless |
| Sonic Telecom | 339.0 Mbps | 265.0 Mbps | Wired |
| Wave Broadband | 119.0 Mbps | 103.0 Mbps | Cable |
| Xfinity | 194.0 Mbps | 17.0 Mbps | Cable |
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in San Mateo.
The largest internet providers in San Mateo are AT&T and Xfinity bringing DSL, fiber-optic, and cable options to San Mateo.
DSL internet from AT&T is available to nearly all San Mateo residents, covering 98% of households. Some will also have the option of fiber-optic from AT&T, which covers 35% of the area. San Mateo’s third most-available internet provider, Xfinity, offers cable to around 99% of San Mateo 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 nearly all households in San Mateo covering 98% of the area.
DSL internet from AT&T uses telephone lines in San Mateo 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 higher than the average starting price for internet in San Mateo, $47.13.
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 San Mateo, $1.96.
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 San Mateo. These download speeds are available to 98% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all San Mateo's providers, 499 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.
Fiber-optic from AT&T offers broadband to some, but not many households in San Mateo covering 35% of the area.
Fiber-optic service from AT&T is popular for its fast download and upload speeds, even during peak usage times, but may be less available throughout San Mateo than other internet types.
Internet prices for AT&T start at $55/mo.*, which is higher than the average starting price for internet in San Mateo, $47.13.
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 San Mateo, $1.96.
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 1,000 Mbps in San Mateo. These download speeds are available to 35% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all San Mateo's providers, 499 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 all households in San Mateo covering 99% of the area.
Xfinity’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but San Mateo 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 San Mateo, $47.13.
Xfinity customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 50 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.60 per Mbps, lower than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in San Mateo, $1.96.
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 San Mateo. These download speeds are available to 99% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all San Mateo's providers, 499 Mbps.
If you live in the heart of San Mateo, you’ll likely have options from cable, DSL, and fiber-optic internet providers. For those in rural areas or just outside San Mateo, however, satellite or fixed wireless internet may be the best internet option.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in San Mateo and surrounding areas. HughesNet starting prices are significantly higher than average in San Mateo at $64.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are significantly higher than average in San Mateo at $69.99/mo. for speeds up to 150 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many San Mateo residents, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
AT&T is the fastest internet provider in San Mateo with download speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 98% of households in San Mateo. The next fastest internet provider in San Mateo is AT&T, offering download speeds up to 5,000 Mbps to 35% of the area.
Raw Bandwidth Communications offers the cheapest internet in San Mateo with plans starting at $29.95/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in San Mateo, $47.13.
AT&T is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in San Mateo, covering 35% of the city.
Upgrading your internet plan or switching to a new provider that offers faster internet service is the best way to get significantly faster speeds, but that will likely also come with a price increase. To get faster internet without changing your plan or provider, upgrade your internet equipment or reduce the number of devices connected to your network.
There are benefits to using your own router vs. buying or renting one from your internet provider, such as lower monthly costs and more product options. If you choose to use your own router, keep in mind that your internet provider’s tech support may not be able to fully assist you with your personal router. Select providers may not give you the option to use your own router.
Each video streaming service has varying recommended speeds, but speeds up to 10 Mbps will often handle streaming on one device. For HD and 4K streaming, consider faster speeds of at least 25 Mbps to reduce buffering and maintain optimal picture quality.
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