Internet Service Providers in Irvine

Irvine, California, might not be the biggest city in the state, but it’s been frequently named as one of the best places to live in America. The FBI has even dubbed it the safest place to live in the U.S. for the last 12 years. Located just 10 miles from the Pacific Ocean, this gorgeous little city also has more than a few options to choose from when it comes to finding ISPs. What are the best internet service providers in Irvine, and what should you know before choosing one for your home?

Internet Providers Near Me in Irvine

Irvine has plenty of options to choose from when it comes to internet providers. There are upwards of 15 companies in various shapes and forms providing access to the internet. AT&T and Cox Communications both lead the pack, and EarthLink and Spectrum also offer wired internet for multiple parts of the city. Satellite internet is available from both Viasat and HughesNet. Frontier and Sonic bring up the rear and have limited availability and speeds. 

Cheapest Internet Service Providers in Irvine

You don’t need to break the bank to bring the internet into your home. A handful of companies offer budget-friendly starting plans for those who need to be connected but might not necessarily require the top speeds available in the area. Cox Communications offers a base plan for $29.99 a month for rates up to 10 Mbps. AT&T’s options — both cable and fiber — cost $35 a month and offer speeds up to 100 Mbps. 

If wired internet isn’t an option, HughesNet satellite internet has a base plan with 25 Mbps speeds for $49.99 a month. 

High-Speed Internet Options in Irvine

Sometimes, you’ve just got a need for speed, and in Irvine, you’ve got plenty of options to choose from. Cox Communications — yes, the same company that’s already put in an appearance as the cheapest plan on our list — also offers speeds up to 1,000 Mbps over its cable network. AT&T offers both cable and limited fiber applications, and again offers speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. 

Irvine is also one of the only places where you can get Google Fiber, with work completed before the company stopped adding new cities to the map. This also provides rates up to 1,000 Mbps.

Is 100 Mbps Fast?

We’re throwing around all these numbers — 10 Mbps, 100 Mbps, 1,000 Mbps — but what does it really mean? Mbps stands for megabits per second, or the amount of data being transferred to your device. The higher the number, the faster the download speed. However, you will occasionally reach a threshold where your internet is too fast for your devices. 

100 Mbps might sound like the bottom of the barrel, but it is actually considered fast internet, capable of supporting multiple users and devices without any visible slowdown. Many companies offer speeds up to 1,000 or even 2,000 Mbps, so if you absolutely need the fastest internet available, there are options out there. 

Can I Get Wi-Fi Without an Internet Provider?

Almost all the options we’ve listed here are wired internet, where the service provider installs physical wires into your home. While this is usually the best option in terms of speed and reliability, it’s not always an option.

It is possible to get Wi-Fi in your home without an internet provider, but you will be relying on mobile hotspots with limited speeds and data caps. If you stream a lot of Netflix or spend hours gaming online, you’ll burn through your data quickly and have to buy more. 

What Internet Is the Best in My Area?

The best internet in your area will depend entirely on your needs and your utility budget. Maybe you need the fastest download speeds available, or perhaps you only need a basic connection, enough for Zoom calls and checking your email.

Whatever the case, when you’re looking for California internet service providers in Irvine, there are plenty to choose from.

Internet Service Providers in California by City