Best Internet Providers in Irvine, CA

AT&T Fiber and EarthLink are the only two internet providers in Irvine that promise internet speeds up to 5 Gigabits. EarthLink is an internet-only service provider. It offers three types of internet connections; fixed wireless (5G Home), fiber internet, and satellite internet.

Unfortunately, due the infrastructure constraints, its fiber optic and satellite internet services are limited to a few areas in Irvine. Internet speed tests indicate that even though EarthLink’s internet service is available in 45 percent of Irvine, the maximum download speed is only 75 Mbps.

In contrast, AT&T Fiber’s 5 Gig internet in Irvine is available in downtown and surrounding neighborhoods. And even on the days when internet speed fluctuates, users get a maximum download speed of 1000 Mbps. By being the fastest internet provider in Irvine, AT&T allows its customers to enjoy multi-device streaming, HD quality downloads, professional gaming, and smart home connectivity.

Frontier has the lowest starting price in Irvine, but unfortunately, its extremely limited availability allows only a handful of addresses to access it. Therefore, Cox is the cheapest and one of the high-speed internet providers in Irvine, CA. The provider’s extensive network in Irvine makes it easier for almost the entire city’s population to access its internet service. Cox offers four internet plans in Irvine with a starting price point of $49.99. Although the initial cost may not seem cheap, every Cox internet plan except the entry-level option arrives with a two-year price lock guarantee. These plans also include Panoramic WiFi equipment and free self or professional installation (depending on your address), allowing you to save money.

As for the internet speeds, the available internet speeds range from 100 to 1000 Mbps. However, the good news is that Cox plans to introduce its multi-gigabit speed tier to the city soon. Hence, Irvinians will soon have access to one of the fastest internet speeds available, covering 93% of the city. This is splendid news for those who have been frustrated by the limited availability of fiber options.

According to the United States Census Bureau, 94.9 percent of the people living in Irvine, California, have access to broadband internet. The three most popular modes of terrestrial internet delivery in Irvine are cable, DSL, and fiber internet connections.

DSL internet is available in 90 percent of the city and almost 81 percent of Irvine can access cable internet. Unfortunately, high-speed fiber internet only has 6 percent coverage in the city. The remaining 10 percent of Irvine accesses the internet either via satellite connections or 4G and 5G LTE networks (fixed wireless connections).

There are a total of 25 internet providers in Irvine, CA. Among them:

• 9 offer fiber internet service
• 7 offer DSL internet connections
• 7 offer copper internet cable service
• 3 offer cable internet connections
• 2 offer satellite internet service

In the table below, we have compared the citywide availability of the 10 best internet providers in Irvine.

HughesNet and Viasat are the best satellite internet providers in Irvine, CA. Satellite internet service guarantees internet connectivity in the remotest parts of the world. Satellite internet providers in Irvine do not rely on wired infrastructure for data transmission. The data is sent to satellites and the satellite transmits it back to the earth via radio waves. Houses with dishes installed on their rooftops intercept these radio signals and use the limited internet for leisure and work. Hence, Viasat and HughesNet satellite internet plans are available everywhere in Irvine.

It seems a little ironic that there are nine fiber internet providers in Irvine but only 6 percent of the city is wired with fiber optic cables. It means that none of the fiber internet providers in Irvine can tap their full potential due to a lack of fiber optic infrastructure.

Recently, AT&T announced that it aspires to expand its fiber optic network and by 2025, the AT&T fiber internet service will be available in more than 30 million locations around the country.

Google Fiber has announced similar developments regarding its footprint expansion in Orange County, but the real push must come from the municipal government. Although Irvine is the safest, most planned, most educated, and most livable city in the country, its fiber internet is only available to one-third of the residents. (111,617 out of 328,284 people).

The nine fiber internet providers in Irvine are:

• AT&T Fiber
• Google Fiber
• EarthLink
• Frontier
• Cox Communications
• Spectrum
• Sonic
• GeoLinks
• Verizon Fios
• CyberNet Communications

Final Word