Guide to Internet Providers in Austin
The city of Austin has several internet providers to choose from. Some of these providers are well-known companies while others may be unknown to someone who is not originally from Austin. In any case, there are a few factors that you must consider before choosing an internet provider for your commercial or residential address. If you don’t consider these factors, then you’ll end up making the wrong choice. This could be devastating if you’ve signed a contract with the provider and must pay a huge cancellation fee to break the contract. So, pay close attention to what the provider offers.
Let’s examine the features of an internet service that you should watch for.
1) Speed
Speed is a top consideration to make for any internet service. Every provider has their own special internet packages. The more expensive ones typically have faster speeds. Obviously, you’re going to want high-speed internet because most modern websites require it. There are a few internet providers that still offer dial-up internet services, but you definitely don’t want those. At the very least, you should be looking for a DSL or cable internet connection which offers at least 20 megabits per second for downloads and 1 megabit per second for uploads.
If you need a faster connection, then see if the internet provider has options for that. Some providers go all the way up to 1,000 megabits per second. Not all businesses require speed this fast. Figure out whether yours does or not and choose accordingly.
2) Special Offers
The monthly price will certainly be on your mind. However, check to see if the provider offers any special discounts or combo packages. For instance, a lot of cable companies offer deals where you can purchase cable television and internet services for one low monthly price. This might be a cheaper alternative than simply purchasing your internet separately from the company. In any case, choose the best deal which suits your budget.
3) Zip Code
Okay, so you’ve found an internet provider that offers all the internet services and features that you want. But do they serve your zip code and address? Just because you find an internet provider in Austin, it doesn’t mean they serve the entire city. There are multiple zip codes in Austin and many providers only serve certain zip codes. On the provider’s website, they should let you conduct a zip code and/or address search to determine which plans are available for your particular location. Make sure you verify what is available to you before contacting them.
The Main Austin Internet Providers
Now that you know what to look for, here are three of the main internet providers in the Austin area. We will go over their pros and cons and mention the areas of Austin they cover.
1) Spectrum
Spectrum is the number one internet provider in Austin. They are the only provider that covers 99.9% of the city with their internet plans. You can start out with a basic cable internet plan which costs $44.95 per month for 100 Megabits per second of download speed. You can request up to 940 megabits per second if you need it. There are no limitations to streaming either. According to customer reviews, though, Spectrum is rated 2.5 stars out of 5.
2) AT&T Fiber
AT&T Fiber seems to be a little pricier. Their internet services are available to 36.4% of Austin with prices ranging from $50 to $90 per month. The $50 plan gives you 50 megabits per second with a data cap of 1 terabyte. The $90 plan gives you 1,000 megabits per second with no data cap. Customer ratings give the company 2.5 stars out of 5.
3) Google Fiber
In most of the country, Google Fiber is only available in select cities. The good news here is that it’s available in 35.7% of Austin. You can choose to pay $50 per month for 100 megabits per second or $70 per month for 1,000 megabits per second. The customer rating for Google Fiber is 4.5 stars out of 5. This is a higher rating than any other provider has gotten in Austin. No caps on data either. The only thing is you need to be in the area of Austin where it is available.
4.) Suddenlink