Best Internet Providers in Rio Rancho, New Mexico
What is the best internet provider in Rio Rancho?
Looking for internet options in Rio Rancho, New Mexico? It might be harder than you think, but our broadband experts will help you choose the internet provider that’s right for you. high speed internet Options are limited in Rio Rancho, so the best provider for your home may depend on what’s available in your area. CNET Selected spark light As the best internet service provider for most Rio Rancho residentsbecause it is Cable internet provider Has the best high speed coverage in the area.
Sparklight stands out for being fast and affordable, making it a good choice if one is available at your address. Sparklight’s service starts at $40 per month, with speeds ranging from 100 to 940 megabits per second. cheapest internet provider In Rio Rancho.
Quantum fiber The fastest provider in the region, offering download speeds of up to 2,000Mbps with symmetrical benefits upload speedbut availability is very limited. Lumen Technology Brand Member 21Vianet Although its DSL-based network is much slower than Sparklight, it has better coverage in the area.
T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet is the best fixed wireless ISP in Rio Rancho (starting at $50 per month), but NM Surf may also be a practical option. Other fixed wireless ISPs serve the Rio Rancho area, but the speeds are too slow and too expensive for the speeds you recommend here.
Best Internet in Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Rio Rancho New Mexico Internet Providers Comparison
| provider | Internet technology | monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment cost | data cap | contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21Vianet Read full review |
DSL | $55 | 20-100Mbps | $15 (optional) | without any | without any | 6.7 |
| New Mexico Surfing | fixed wireless | $70-$110 | 100-400Mbps | $5 | without any | 1-2 years | not applicable |
| Quantum fiber | fiber | $50-$95 | 500-2,000Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 6.7 |
| spark light Read full review |
cable | $40-$75 | 100-940Mbps | $13 (optional) | 5TB soft cap | without any | 6.9 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
fixed wireless | $50 ($30 on eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
fixed wireless | $60-$80 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 7.2 |
Show more(2 items)
Buy suppliers at my address
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Rio Rancho?
| plan | starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparklight Connect to the Internet 100 Read full review |
$40 | 100Mbps | $13 (optional) |
| Sparklight Freedom Connect 300 Read full review |
$40 | 300Mbps | $13 (optional) |
| Quantum Fiber 500 | $50 | 500Mbps | without any |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($30 on eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | without any |
| Sparklight Freedom Connect 600 Read full review |
$65 | 600Mbps | $13 (optional) |
| Century Internet Internet Read full review |
$55 | 100Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$60 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | without any |
Show more(3 items)
Buy suppliers at my address
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to Find Internet Deals and Promotions in Rio Rancho
The best internet deals and top promotions in Rio Rancho depend on the discounts available during that time period. Most offers are short-lived, but we’re often on the lookout for the latest deals.
Rio Rancho Internet providers such as Sparklight may offer lower introductory prices for a limited time. Many providers, including CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber, have the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide Best Internet Deals.
The fastest internet plans in Rio Rancho
| plan | starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantum fiber 2 gig | $95 | 2,000Mbps | 1070Mbps | without any | fiber |
| Verizon 5G Home + Internet Read full review |
$80 ($45 with eligible mobile plans) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | without any | fixed wireless |
| Sparklight 1 show Read full review |
$75 | 940Mbps | 50Mbps | without any | cable |
| Quantum fiber | $75 | 940Mbps | 940Mbps | without any | fiber |
| Sparklight Freedom Connect 600 Read full review |
$65 | 600Mbps | 30Mbps | without any | cable |
| Quantum Fiber 500 | $50 | 500Mbps | 500Mbps | without any | fiber |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($30 on eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | 31Mbps | without any | fixed wireless |
| NM surfing tsunami wave | $70 | 100Mbps | 25Mbps | without any | fixed wireless |
Show more(4 items)
Buy suppliers at my address
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll get a better experience with a stronger connection. The recommended minimum download speeds for various applications are outlined below, According to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Please note that these are guidelines only and internet speeds, service and performance vary based on connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide How much internet speed do you really need?.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to handle the basics: browsing the Internet, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should provide one user with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of modern remote working, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one or two users to participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming and online gaming simultaneously.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
CNET How to choose the best internet provider in Rio Rancho
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. different from the latest cell phone, laptop, router or kitchen toolsit is impractical to personally test every ISP in a specific city. What is our approach? We first looked at pricing, availability, and speed information based on our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and map information from the Federal Communications Commission. fcc.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We went to the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we accounted for every ISP offering service in a certain area. We also enter local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We evaluate customer satisfaction with ISP services by looking at sources such as the US Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power. ISP plans and prices may change frequently; all information provided is accurate as of publication time.
Once we have localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting value for money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, we recommend the provider that comes closest to a “yes” on these three questions. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the plan with the lowest monthly fee, although we also consider factors like price increases, equipment costs, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from the following sources: Okla and Federal Communications Commission Report. (Disclaimer: Ookla and CNET are owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our processes in more depth, visit our How we test ISPs Page.
Rio Rancho Internet Provider FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Rio Rancho, New Mexico?
Sparklight is the best internet service provider in Rio Rancho. High-speed availability is Sparklight’s main selling point in this area. Still, this ISP stands out from the competition with its low entry price and speed options from 100 to 940Mbps.
Does Rio Rancho offer fiber optic internet?
A handful of homes in Rio Rancho have access to fiber optic internet. According to the latest Federal Communications Commission data (December 2023), only about 3% of Rio Rancho residences are eligible for fiber optic internet service. 2, an encouraging sign that fiber availability is growing in the region. Quantum Fiber is the primary fiber optic internet provider in the Rio Rancho area.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Rio Rancho?
Sparklight has the lowest introductory broadband rates in Rio Rancho, with service starting at $40 per month and offering download speeds up to 300Mbps. Other Sparklight plans (600 and 940Mbps) are also competitively priced (starting at $65 and $75 per month, respectively). Sparklight rates are valid for 18 months, after which the price will increase by $15 to $25, depending on the plan you choose. Keep in mind that renting equipment from Sparklight will add $13 to your monthly bill.
Which internet provider in Rio Rancho offers the fastest plans?
Sparklight and Quantum Fiber offer the fastest internet plans in Rio Rancho, with speeds of up to 940Mbps and 2,000Mbps respectively. Quantum fiber has the advantage of symmetrical upload and download speeds, but Sparklight is significantly more usable in this area.
Verizon 5G Home Internet offers speeds of 1,000Mbps, but actual speeds are likely to be much lower, as its Home Plus plans advertise a range of between 85 and 1,000Mbps.
