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Internet providers in San Mateo, CA
Shop the best San Mateo internet providers. Compare internet plan pricing and speeds from cable, DSL and fiber-optic providers in your area.
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San Mateo, CA internet providers
| Provider | ||||
| AT&T | $40.00 | 10 - 1,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 35% |
| AT&T | $30.00 | 10 - 75 Mbps | DSL | 98% |
| Xfinity | $29.99 | 25 - 987 Mbps | Cable | 99% |
Wave Broadband  | $69.95 | 100 - 250 Mbps | Cable | 87% |
| Sonic Telecom | $39.99 | - | Wired | 28% |
| Sonic Telecom | $39.99 | - | DSL | 24% |
| Raw Bandwidth Communications | $29.95 | 3 - 40 Mbps | DSL | 19% |
| Wave Broadband | $69.95 | 100 - 1,000 Mbps | Wired | 0.702% |
| HughesNet | $59.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $50.00 | 12 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Etheric Networks | $99.00 | 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 Oct 13, 2021.
Need help?San Mateo internet service at a glance
Broadband availability
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 99% of the area. Fiber-optic is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 35% 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 1,000 Mbps.
Top high-speed internet providers 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.
AT&T 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 Oct 13, 2021.
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 $30/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in San Mateo, $51.11.
AT&T customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 10 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $3.00 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in San Mateo, $1.19.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, AT&T offers download speeds up to 75 Mbps and upload speeds up to 20 Mbps in San Mateo. These download speeds are available to 98% of the area, and are much slower than the average max speeds from all San Mateo's providers, 629 Mbps.
AT&T 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 Oct 13, 2021.
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 $40/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in San Mateo, $51.11.
AT&T customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 10 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $4.00 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in San Mateo, $1.19.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, AT&T offers download speeds up to 1,000 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, 629 Mbps.
Xfinity 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 Oct 13, 2021.
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, $51.11.
Xfinity customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 25 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $1.20 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in San Mateo, $1.19.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Xfinity offers download speeds up to 987 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, 629 Mbps.
Internet coverage for rural areas
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 higher than average in San Mateo at $59.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are about average in San Mateo at $50/mo. for speeds up to 25 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.
Fixed wireless is another popular internet option for those in rural areas. Those living in or just outside of San Mateo may have access to fixed wireless internet service from HughesNet, with plans starting at $59.99 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 San Mateo cable, DSL, and fiber-optic internet providers.
Internet provider frequently asked questions
What’s the fastest internet provider in San Mateo?
AT&T is the fastest internet provider in San Mateo with download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 35% of households in San Mateo. The next fastest internet provider in San Mateo is Etheric Networks, offering download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps to 9.559% of the area.
What’s the cheapest internet provider in San Mateo?
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, $51.11.
Is fiber internet available in San Mateo?
AT&T is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in San Mateo, covering 35% of the city.
Do I need Wi-Fi extenders?
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.
What's a good internet speed for my home?
Download speeds of 25 Mbps and above are considered broadband speeds, and can handle most online activities including streaming and gaming. For households with multiple devices using a Wi-Fi connection, speeds of 100 Mbps and higher are likely to offer a better online experience. Learn more about what speeds are best for your home.
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.
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