Top 10 Internet Providers in Texas

Key Points

• An internet service provider, or ISP, is any company that provides internet access and web services.
• There are many different types of internet: Digital Subscriber Line, Cable Modem, Fiber, Wireless and many more.
• Over 500 different companies operate in Texas.

Whether you’re new to the state, or simply looking for a service change, it can be difficult to traverse the long list of internet providers in Texas.

Over 500 different companies operate in Texas, each with different availabilities. That can make picking an ISP a bit tricky. Fortunately, we’ve assembled a list of 10 most popular, most trustworthy internet providers for your convenience.

Before we get into the list of providers, it’s worth going over a couple of things first. First: What exactly does an internet service provider do? And what are the benefits and disadvantages of each type of internet connection? Once we’ve gone over this, we’ll dive right into the list of the top internet providers in Texas.

What Does an Internet Service Provider Do?

An internet service provider, or ISP, is any company that provides internet access and web services to customers in a specific area or region. ISPs are responsible for establishing and maintaining main lines to the internet and various servers. While each ISP has its list of services, most ISPs will help customers download the right software, establish a unique account, and install a specific type of internet connection.

Internet service providers effectively grant customers the ability to use the internet. Some also provide designated email accounts that operate via their web servers. Typically, ISPs will throw in other bells and whistles to entice customers, but these are the main things every ISP will provide. Internet service providers are often limited by their range or size, meaning every state will have some ISPs. With this in mind, we’ve compiled the top internet providers in Texas.

Types of Internet Connections

Across the United States, you can choose from a select number of internet connections. These types will vary from state to state depending on availability and other factors. Some states may offer every type, while others — such as Texas — will only have a limited number. Nevertheless, these are the types of internet connections available throughout the US.

• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
• Cable Modem
• Fiber
• Wireless
• Satellite
• Broadband over Powerlines (BPL)

Upload and download speeds will vary from connection type, as will availability and the specific parent company or subsidiary associated with the ISP. DSL or BPL rely on above-ground cables. Others, such as cable modems or fiber, rely on wires underground. Still, others like wireless or satellite don’t need wires at all. Above all else, though, these are the main internet connections by internet providers in Texas.

Internet Providers in Texas: Listed

We’ve listed Texas’s top 10 internet providers below, complete with percentage availability in the state and average download and upload speeds. They run the gamut from cable to fiber to DSL and everything in between, each with their respective speeds depending on the connection type. Taking this into consideration, let’s review.

Xfinity

Available in a quarter of the state of Texas, Xfinity falls under the ownership of Comcast — the largest multinational telecommunications conglomerate in the country. This speaks well to the ISP’s range of connection types and dependable download speeds. In addition to cable and fiber internet, Xfinity allows Texans to bundle their service with cable television and landline telephones. Xfinity offers Texans cable or fiber internet, depending on their home location.

AT&T

AT&T is a popular internet service provider. Along with its subsidiary DirecTV, AT&T has been a trusted name in DSL and fiber internet for decades. Boasting download and upload speeds of 1000 Mbps, AT&T internet is among the fastest in Texas. While AT&T is only available in around 1/5th of the state, 20% of its customers wouldn’t be wrong for using this trusted brand name. In addition to DSL and fiber, AT&T allows customers to bundle their internet with AT&T’s TV and phone service.

Spectrum

One of the most accessible internet providers in Texas, Spectrum cable internet, delivers download speeds of up to 1000 Mbps and upload speeds of as much as 35 Mbps. In addition to dependable cable internet for over half the state of Texas, Spectrum’s parent company Charter Communications can also bundle your internet with TV and phone service. Spectrum is just as well-known for its television service as it is for its wireless and cable internet.

EarthLink

EarthLink’s name might not be as recognizable as AT&T or Spectrum, but it’s just as good of an ISP (if not downright better). With a maximum upload and download speed of 1000 Mbps, EarthLink covers nearly 40% of the state of Texas. Plus, with both DSL and fiber internet, EarthLink isn’t just limited to metropolitan areas. It can reach out to some of Texas’s most rural areas.

Rise Broadband

While a download speed of 100 Mbps and an upload speed of 10 Mbps might not pique your interest compared to some of the above internet providers, it’s worth remembering that rural Texas isn’t as fortunate as suburban or metropolitan parts of the state. In Texas’s farmland, ISP options are a lot more limited. In these areas, you can’t go wrong with fixed wireless from Rise Broadband. Nearly 50% of the state is eligible for their service.

T-Mobile Home Internet

By far the most readily available internet provider in Texas, T-Mobile Home Internet delivers 5G home internet to even the most remote and rural parts. Its download speed of 185 Mbps and upload speeds of 23 Mbps is significantly higher than that of Rise Broadband. Nearly 90% of the state is eligible for T-Mobile Home Internet. That’s better than nearly every other option in Texas.

Ultra Home Internet

Interestingly enough, Ultra Home Internet is what’s known as an MVNO. This stands for Mobile Virtual Network Operator. In other words, Ultra Home Internet does not own any of its network infrastructure but rather relies on another internet provider in Texas to provide space for them on their network.

In Ultra’s case, that host ISP is T-Mobile. It makes sense, considering how widely available T-Mobile Home Internet is in Texas. With solid download and upload speeds for rural areas, those living far from any major city can’t go wrong with Ultra.

Optimum

As the fourth biggest cable company in the country, it’s not shocking to see Optimum’s name on the list of internet providers in Texas. Available in 12% of the state, Optimum gives customers nearly 1000 Mbps of download speed and as much as 35 Mbps for uploads. Optimum — in conjunction with parent company Altice USA — can also give Texans access to cable television and phone lines. As far as Texas ISPs go, Optimum proves to be pretty true to its name.

Frontier

With a 10% coverage, Frontier might not be the most readily available in Texas, but it’s still one of the reputable internet providers. Its download speeds of 2000 Mbps and its upload speeds of nearly 900 Mbps are hard to beat across the state, and its fiber connection makes it both state-of-the-art and reliable in one.

Astound Broadband

Astound Broadband is another internet provider in Texas that only offers limited availability despite its solid download speeds. The company’s upload speeds leave something to be desired but more than makeup for it with solid download speeds. It’s not a bad choice whatsoever, especially for cable internet. What’s more, Astound can even provide cable television with some bundles.

Which Internet Providers in Texas Are Best?

Nearly 90% of Texas has access to an internet connection. Of that percentage, nearly 45% have access to high-speed fiber internet. Rest assured, with recent legislation, almost 90% will grow much closer to 100%. Knowing this, the question remains: Which internet providers in Texas are the absolute best?

For speed, AT&T Internet comes out on top. They’re followed by Xfinity, then Spectrum. Xfinity is the cheapest, with plans as low as $25 a month. AT&T is a close runner-up with plans as cheap as $35 a month.

While these cheaper options aren’t going to boast nearly the same speeds or specs as the most expensive tiers, it’s still nice to know that they’re available to those that need them.

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