Best Internet Providers in Berkeley, California
What is the best internet provider in Berkeley?
CNET recommends Sonic Telecom as top Berkeley internet provideroffering symmetrical gigabit speeds (up to 1,000Mbps) for just $50 per month—a rare deal for such high performance. While it doesn’t include equipment, and the price goes up $10 after the first year, the Sonic is still the best overall choice.
For those looking for more speed, AT&T Fiber is Berkeley’s top choice, with plans offering symmetrical speeds up to 5,000Mbps. Unlike Sonic, AT&T includes the device in its base price and offers five flexible plans starting at $55 per month.
If affordability is your top priority, unlimited The cheapest starting plan is available at $20 per month for 150Mbps, but prices increase after the first year or two. For a more predictable bill, T-Mobile and Verizon 5G Home Internet Offers a Price Lock Guarantee on all their plans.
Best Internet in Berkeley, CA
Berkeley Internet Providers Comparison
provider | Internet technology | monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment cost | data cap | contract | CNET Review Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T Fiber Read full review |
fiber | $55-$245 | 300-5,000Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 7.4 |
AT&T Internet Read full review |
DSL | $55 | Up to 140Mbps | without any | 1.5TB on some plans | without any | 7.4 |
Sonic Telecom | fiber | $50 | 1,000Mbps | $5 (optional) | without any | without any | not applicable |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
fixed wireless | $50-70 ($35-$55 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 7.4 |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 7.2 |
unlimited Read full review |
cable | $20-$75 | 75-1,200Mbps | $15 (included in most plans) | 1.2TB, unlimited on most plans | Elective | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Berkeley?
provider | starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
---|---|---|---|
X Unlimited 150 Mbps Read full review |
$20 | 150Mbps | $15 (optional) |
Xfinity 300Mbps Read full review |
$35 | 300Mbps | $15 (optional) |
Xfinity 500Mbps Read full review |
$55 | 500Mbps | $15 (optional) |
Sonic Telecom | $50 | 1,000Mbps | $5 (optional) |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$55 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | without any |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | without any |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to Find Berkeley Internet Deals and Promotions
Berkeley’s best internet deals and top promotions depend on the discounts available during the period. Most offers are short-lived, but we’re often on the lookout for the latest deals.
Berkeley’s internet providers, such as Verizon, may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many providers, including Sonic Telecom, AT&T Fiber and T-Mobile Home Internet, have the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide Best Internet Deals.
Berkeley’s Fastest Internet Plans
provider | starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T Internet 5000 Read full review |
$245 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | without any | fiber |
AT&T Internet 2000 Read full review |
$145 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | without any | fiber |
Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review |
$75 | 1,200Mbps | 35Mbps | without any | cable |
AT&T Fiber 1 GIG speed Read full review |
$90 (currently $55) | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | without any | fiber |
Sonic Telecom | $50 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | without any | fiber |
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review |
$65 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | without any | cable |
Verizon 5G Home + Internet Read full review |
$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plans) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | without any | fixed wireless |
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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 Berkeley
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 started by looking at pricing, availability, and speed information, using our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and map information from the Federal Communications Commission: fcc.gov.
It’s not over yet. 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?
The answers to these questions are often layered and complex, but 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. (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.
Berkeley Internet Provider FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Berkeley?
Sonic Telecom is the best Internet service provider in Berkeley. It’s available to four out of five households in the city and offers fast upload and download speeds at a lower price than most competitors.
Does Berkeley have fiber optic internet?
Yes, 81% of Berkeley homes have fiber optic internet, According to FCC data. Sonic Telecom and AT&T both provide service in the city.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Berkeley?
Xfinity is the cheapest internet provider in Berkeley, with plans starting at $20 per month with speeds of 150Mbps.
Which internet provider in Berkeley offers the fastest plans?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest Internet plans in Berkeley, with upload and download speeds up to 5,000Mbps.