Internet Service Providers in Bakersfield

bakersfield, california in black and neon green glow

When you move to a new city, one of the first things you likely consider is your internet options in California. You could choose not to have any service, but modern life can be tricky without it, so you’ll most likely need to examine your choices. Whether you’ve recently moved or just want a new provider, here are the best internet service providers in Bakersfield.

Internet Providers Near Me in Bakersfield

There are seven residential internet service providers (ISPs) in Bakersfield. These are:

AT&T
EarthLink
Spectrum
Viasat
HughesNet
unWired Broadband
Applied Technology Group

Depending on where you are in the city, some may be unavailable or have limited plans. Similarly, some parts of the city may have access to ISPs in nearby towns not listed here.

Cheapest Internet Providers in Bakersfield

Price is a substantial factor in deciding the right ISP for you. Here’s how much internet in Bakersfield will cost you, from cheapest to most expensive:

AT&T ($35/month)
EarthLink ($49.95/month)
Spectrum ($49.99/month)
Viasat ($50/month)
unWired ($59.99/month)
HughesNet ($59.99/month)

Applied Technology doesn’t list its prices, so you’ll have to contact the company for a quote. Most of these options fall at or below the national average of $50 a month, but these are the cheapest plans available. If you want more than minimum speeds, you’ll have to pay more.

High-Speed Internet Service Providers in Bakersfield

The FCC defines high-speed internet as download speeds of at least 25 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps. By that definition, all internet service providers in Bakersfield offer high-speed internet. Still, the FCC hasn’t changed what qualifies as high-speed since 2015, so 25 Mbps may not be sufficient for every situation today.

If you have a lot of connected devices, live with many people, play online games or stream a lot, you’ll want something faster. In Bakersfield, your fastest options are AT&T and EarthLink, which both offer speeds up to 1,000 Mbps.

Does the U.S. Have Good Internet?

Considering these speeds, how does the U.S. stack up against the rest of the world? While some connections, including in Bakersfield, reach up to 1,000 Mbps, the average is much lower. American users get download speeds of 170.88 Mbps on average, placing U.S. internet as the 11th fastest in the world.

Remember, though, that not all connections are in Bakersfield, and you won’t reach those speeds with the cheapest plans.

Do I Need a Phone Line for Internet?

Back in the day, you needed a phone line to get an internet connection. That’s not the case anymore for most ISPs, but you most likely will need a coaxial cable. Some plans may come as a bundle requiring a phone line on top of a coax outlet, but you can get standalone internet plans, too.

Why Is There Only One Internet Provider in My Area?

You may notice that many ISPs in Bakersfield say they don’t cover your address, even if you’re in the city. Depending on where you are, you may only have one or two available options. That’s because supporting an internet connection requires lots of infrastructure that not every company can afford to place everywhere.

Different types of connections require various technologies, so ISPs can’t offer everything everywhere. Some smaller companies may not be able to afford to extend their coverage area. Larger corporations may limit their coverage because some places aren’t economically promising enough for it.

Remember that even if an ISP says it covers Bakersfield, double-check by putting in your address or zip code first. There’s a chance it doesn’t reach the part of the city you’re in.

Get the Best ISP In Bakersfield for You

What determines the best internet service provider in Bakersfield depends on your situation. Take these options, then compare prices and speeds in your specific neighborhood. What constitutes a good deal for one person may not be desirable for another.

No matter your budget or internet needs, you can find an ISP that works for you.