Getting reliable, fast internet in Arizona can be a challenge due to the state‘s diverse landscape spanning deserts, forests, canyons and two major metro areas. With creative infrastructure and evolving technology, internet providers do their best to bridge the digital divide. This guide examines the top 10 ISPs serving Arizona by coverage area.
Overview of Internet Providers in Arizona
Arizona ranks 21st nationally for statewide connectivity, with 68.4% of the population having access to broadband internet speeds of 25 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up. Speeds and options vary widely based on location. Urban areas enjoy cable and fiber networks while rural regions rely more on DSL and satellite.
The most built-out high-speed internet infrastructure runs across central Arizona connecting Phoenix and Tucson. Outlying areas have steadily improved connectivity thanks to state and federal grants to expand fiber and wireless networks. Many providers now offer gigabit speeds in the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
Top 10 Internet Providers in Arizona
1. Cox Communications
The largest cable provider in Arizona and one of the nation‘s biggest privately-owned telecom companies, Cox Communications uses a robust hybrid fiber coaxial network to provide internet speeds up to 1 Gbps. Download speeds average 150 Mbps. Cox focuses coverage on the Phoenix and Tucson metro areas.
Service Details: Cable internet up to 1000 Mbps down / 30 Mbps up
Pricing: Plans from $49.99/mo for 150 Mbps
Coverage Area: Phoenix and Tucson metro areas
2. CenturyLink
One of the legacy telecoms in Arizona, CenturyLink utilizes its extensive DSL and fiber optic backbone to reach around 80% of state residents. The provider has aggressively expanded fiber availability with plans for Phoenix to be fully upgraded by 2024.
Service Details: DSL & Fiber Optic Internet, up to 940 Mbps down / 880 Mbps up
Pricing: Plans from $49.00/mo for 20 Mbps down
Coverage Area: Statewide except for NW region, 80% coverage
3. Suddenlink
Owned by Altice USA, Suddenlink operates advanced fiber coaxial networks capable of multi-gig speeds. The provider covers parts of northern and southeastern Arizona including Kingman and Sierra Vista.
Service Details: Cable internet with speeds up to 2 Gbps down
Pricing: Plans from $34.99/mo for 200 Mbps
Coverage Area: Kingman, Lake Havasu City, Sierra Vista and select towns
4. Sparklight
Formerly Cable One, Sparklight offers cable internet and phone services in parts of northern, eastern and southern Arizona. Speeds reach 1 Gbps in selected areas through its DOCSIS 3.1 network upgrade.
Service Details: Cable internet, max speeds vary by area from 50 Mbps to 1000 Mbps
Pricing: Plans start at $45/mo for 50 Mbps
Coverage Area: Prescott, Cottonwood, Globe/Miami, Duncan/Clifton, Willcox
5. TDS Telecom
A smaller local phone company, TDS provides fiber, DSL and fixed wireless internet to select towns across Arizona. Top speeds reach 1 Gbps down/1Gbps up on its 100% fiber optic network.
Service Details: Various connections, max 1000/1000 Mbps on fiber
Pricing: Starts at $42.95/mo for 50 Mbps cable
Coverage Area: Payson, Show Low region, Sedona, Camp Verde, Safford
6. Viasat/Exede
Viasat (formerly Exede) is one of the major satellite internet providers available across most of rural Arizona. It offers unlimited data plans and has boosted speeds with its latest ViaSat-2 satellite.
Service Details: Satellite internet, max 100 Mbps down/3 Mbps up
Pricing: Plans from $69.99/mo for 12 Mbps down
Coverage Area: Statewide coverage excluding far NW region
7. HughesNet
Along with Viasat, HughesNet is a popular satellite internet provider in remote parts of Arizona untouched by cable or fiber networks. Gen5 service delivers higher speeds than prior generation satellites.
Service Details: Satellite internet, 25 Mbps down/3 Mbps up
Pricing: Plans start at $59.99/mo
Coverage Area: Statewide coverage excluding far NW region
8. Frontier Communications
Through its legacy copper and newly built fiber networks, Frontier offers internet and phone service in a patchwork of less populated communities in northern, eastern and western Arizona.
Service Details: DSL & Fiber, max 500 Mbps down/500 Mbps up
Pricing: Plans from $49.99/mo for 50 Mbps down
Coverage Area: Northeast AZ including Navajo Nation towns, western region including Kingman & Bullhead City
9. Arizona Cable
A very small cable provider based in Yuma County, Arizona Cable offers internet speeds up to 300 Mbps in Yuma, Somerton, Gadsden and San Luis which border Mexico and California.
Service Details: Cable internet, max 300 Mbps down
Pricing: Plans from $39/mo for 100 Mbps
Coverage Area: Yuma County, southwest AZ
10. Acces1
Rounding out the top 10 largest providers is family-owned Acces1. It offers fixed point wireless internet in rural communities of Graham County plus parts of Cochise and Greenlee Counties.
Service Details: Fixed wireless, max 100 Mbps down/20 Mbps up
Pricing: Starts at $39.95/mo for 10 Mbps down
Coverage Area: Graham County including Pima, Thatcher, Fort Thomas; Also Gleeson/Courtland, AZ
Choosing The Best Internet Provider in Arizona
With many parts of rural Arizona still lacking connectivity, your options may be limited based simply on availability in your area. Use these tips when selecting an internet provider:
- Enter your address on company websites to check for coverage
- Inquire about speeds for your location – rural areas may be slower
- Compare prices of packages with speeds meeting your usage
- Consider bundle discounts for TV/phone or mobile services
- Choose unlimited data if you stream heavily or have multiple users
- Ask about equipment fees, contract terms and other surcharges
- Check companies‘ reputations with the Better Business Bureau
- See if providers offer affordability programs if needed
Connection Types Available in Arizona
DSL Internet – Digital subscriber lines use copper phone lines to provide solid internet speeds across large portions of Arizona through providers like CenturyLink, Frontier and TDS Telecom.
Cable Internet – Major cable providers Cox, Sparklight and Suddenlink utilize hybrid fiber-coaxial networks to deliver faster, more reliable internet mainly in populated areas of Arizona.
Fiber Optic Internet – Fiber networks route internet traffic through flexible glass strands translating to max speeds, efficiency and expandability. Available in select metro neighborhoods from Cox, CenturyLink and local telcos.
Fixed Wireless Internet – Providers beam internet signals between transmit towers and home receivers throughout many rural areas unreachable by wired infrastructure. Speeds and reliability vary based on terrain and weather disruptions.
Satellite Internet – Orbiting satellites like ViaSat and HughesNet provide crucial internet access to 72% of rural Arizona beyond range of other connectivity options by broadcasting signals from space. Reception quality depends on dish installation and avoiding obstructions.
Conclusion
Getting connected in Arizona first requires determining what providers and kinds of internet connections are available based on your location. Urban residents can typically choose between cable and fiber networks while rural areas rely more on DSL, fixed wireless and satellite providers. Comparing plans to find one that suits your speed, data and budget needs is key to happiness with your ISP.
Frequently Asked Questions
What internet providers are available in my area of Arizona?
The largest broadband search website, BroadbandNow.com allows you to enter your zip code or address to compare available providers and speeds for your location.
What average internet speed can I expect in Arizona?
For Q2 2022, the average internet speed across Arizona is 99 Mbps down and 48 Mbps up. Average speeds in Phoenix reach up to 159 Mbps down. Rural areas typically range from 10 to 75+ Mbps.
How much does internet cost per month in Arizona?
Internet only plans start around $30 to $50 per month for speeds suitable for most households. Gigabit connections run $60 to $100+ monthly. Bundles with TV/phone average $100 to $200. Public and income-based programs provide cheaper internet access.
Does Arizona have free wifi internet access?
Many public spaces like libraries, community centers and parks offer free basic wifi. Businesses typically provide complimentary guest wifi for customers. There are a few free municipal wifi networks, but most are slower community hotspots.
What internet providers offer cheap home internet service in Arizona?
Sparklight, Viasat, HughesNet, Frontier, Acces1 and local providers are among those catering to rural and lower-income residents struggling with internet access affordability. They participate in government assistance programs providing discounted monthly plans and free installation.
