| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | $55.00 | 10 - 5,000 Mbps | DSL | 98% |
| AT&T | $55.00 | 10 - 5,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 0.292% |
| Xfinity | $29.99 | 50 - 3,000 Mbps | Cable | 99% |
| Sonic Telecom | $39.99 | 24 - 1,000 Mbps | Wired | 55% |
| Sonic Telecom | $39.99 | 24 - 1,000 Mbps | DSL | 39% |
| HughesNet | $64.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $69.99 | 12 - 150 Mbps | Satellite | 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 Feb 14, 2023.
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people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 99.64%
2 providers - 98.68%
3 providers - 59.58%
4+ providers - 5.87%
Source: FCC
At 100%, broadband coverage in San Rafael 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 Rafael area will have access to DSL, which covers 98% of San Rafael residents. Cable internet is also an option for many, offering service to 91% of the area. Fiber-optic is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 47% of those living in San Rafael.
There are five internet providers serving the San Rafael area, and 98.68% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among San Rafael's five 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | 248.0 Mbps | 224.0 Mbps | DSL |
| Xfinity | 200.0 Mbps | 22.0 Mbps | Cable |
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in San Rafael.
The largest internet providers in San Rafael are AT&T, Xfinity, and Sonic Telecom bringing DSL and cable options to San Rafael.
DSL internet from AT&T is available to nearly all San Rafael residents, covering 98% of households. Many will also have the option of cable from Xfinity, which covers 99% of the area. San Rafael’s third most-available internet provider, Sonic Telecom, offers DSL to around 39% of San Rafael 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 Rafael covering 98% of the area.
DSL internet from AT&T uses telephone lines in San Rafael 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 San Rafael, $51.99.
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 Rafael, $1.68.
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 Rafael. These download speeds are available to 98% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all San Rafael's providers, 441 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 Rafael covering 99% of the area.
Xfinity’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but San Rafael 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 Rafael, $51.99.
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 Rafael, $1.68.
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 Rafael. These download speeds are available to 99% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all San Rafael's providers, 441 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 some, but not many households in San Rafael covering 39% of the area.
DSL internet from Sonic Telecom uses telephone lines in San Rafael 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 San Rafael, $51.99.
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 San Rafael, $1.68.
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 San Rafael. These download speeds are available to 39% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all San Rafael's providers, 441 Mbps.
If you live in the heart of San Rafael, you’ll likely have options from cable, DSL, and fiber-optic internet providers. For those in rural areas or just outside San Rafael, however, satellite or fixed wireless internet may be the best internet option.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in San Rafael and surrounding areas. HughesNet starting prices are significantly higher than average in San Rafael at $64.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are significantly higher than average in San Rafael at $69.99/mo. for speeds up to 150 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many San Rafael residents, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
AT&T is the fastest internet provider in San Rafael with download speeds up to 5,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 98% of households in San Rafael. The next fastest internet provider in San Rafael is AT&T, offering download speeds up to 5,000 Mbps to 0.292% of the area.
Xfinity offers the cheapest internet in San Rafael with plans starting at $29.99/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in San Rafael, $51.99.
AT&T is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in San Rafael, covering 0.292% of the city.
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.
Take a speed test to see what download and upload speeds you are getting. For the best results, perform the test over a wired connection. View our speed test guide for a full breakdown of your results. If you want faster speeds, consider these tips for boosting internet speed, or shop for faster internet plans in your area.
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