
If you're tired of Spectrum's spotty internet service in Los Angeles, you're not alone. Many residents have reported slow speeds and frequent outages.
One alternative to consider is Cox Communications, which offers faster speeds and more reliable service. According to our research, Cox's internet plans start at 10 Mbps and go up to 1 Gbps.
Cox also offers a range of plans to fit different budgets and needs, including a plan that's specifically designed for heavy internet users. This plan includes features like a data cap and a speed boost during off-peak hours.
Another option worth exploring is AT&T Internet, which offers a range of plans with speeds up to 1 Gbps. AT&T's service has been praised for its reliability and customer support.
Take a look at this: How Much Is Cox Cable and Internet
Alternatives to Spectrum
If you're fed up with Spectrum's high prices and slow speeds, you're not alone. Many Angelenos are turning to alternative internet providers.
AT&T is the main alternative to Spectrum in Los Angeles, offering fiber service to around 45% of the city, with speeds ranging from 300 Mbps to the gigabit range. This is a significant improvement over Spectrum's 35 Mbps upload speeds.
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You can also consider smaller regional providers like Ting, Google Fiber, and Giggle Fiber. Ting offers community-wide fiber in Culver City, while Google Fiber provides fiber-to-the-home service in some parts of Irvine and OC. Giggle Fiber may not be a true fiber-to-the-home provider, but they get high marks for their local customer service and affordable internet plans.
Here are some alternative internet providers to consider in the LA area:
- AT&T Fiber: Offers speeds up to the gigabit range to around 45% of LA
- Ting: Provides community-wide fiber in Culver City
- Google Fiber: Offers fiber-to-the-home service in some parts of Irvine and OC
- Giggle Fiber: Offers affordable internet plans with speeds above 200 Mbps
- Earthlink: Resells services on AT&T lines, offering different customer service, pricing, and data limits
Finding Alternatives in LA
Only about a third of LA has fiber access, leaving the rest to pay up to $130/month for 35 Mbps upload speeds from Spectrum.
AT&T is the main alternative to Spectrum in LA, offering fiber service with speeds from 300 Mbps up to the gigabit range, available to around 45% of the city as of 2024.
T-Mobile and Starry are local companies offering internet alternatives that might not show up in online search tools, which are often owned by major providers or their advertising partners.
You can check if your building has Starry by visiting their website and filing a request for service installation if they aren't available.
Starry offers a $50 flat rate 200/200 Mbps service, but it's only available to apartment buildings due to the economics of installing their rooftop equipment.
The primary issue with Starry is dealing with landlords, who often don't want to let another provider in the building for logistical or financial reasons.
Ting offers community-wide fiber in Culver City, while Google Fiber offers fiber to the home service in some parts of Irvine and OC, making it a great value for speed.
Giggle Fiber gets strong marks for local customer service, network management, and affordable internet plans, with prices starting at around $40 for speeds above 200 Mbps.
Earthlink resells services on AT&T lines in LA, offering the same speed with different customer service, pricing, and data limits.
Here are some local ISPs in the LA area:
- Starry Internet: $50 flat rate 200/200 Mbps service, available to apartment buildings
- T-Mobile 5G: fixed wireless 5G provider
- Earthlink: resells services on AT&T lines
- Giggle Fiber: affordable internet plans with speeds above 200 Mbps
Keep in mind that availability and pricing may vary depending on your location and provider.
Search for Providers and Plans
If you're looking for alternatives to Spectrum, you'll want to start by searching for providers and plans that meet your needs. In LA, only about a third of the city has fiber access, so you may need to dig a bit deeper to find options that work for you.
One place to start is with local companies like T-Mobile and Starry, which are offering internet alternatives that might not show up in online search tools. These tools are often owned by major providers or their advertising partners, so it's no surprise that they're not always comprehensive.
To get a better sense of what's available, you can compare plans and pricing from different providers. For example, Verizon and Spectrum have different pricing structures, with Verizon offering more transparent pricing and no substantial price hikes.
Here's a quick rundown of Verizon's plans and pricing to give you an idea of what's out there:
Verizon has a few more wired internet options than Spectrum, including a 2Gbps internet service that's not available from Spectrum.
Internet Providers in LA
You've got options beyond Spectrum in LA. Only about a third of the city has fiber access, but local companies like T-Mobile and Starry are changing that.
AT&T is the main alternative to Spectrum in LA, with fiber service available to around 45% of the city as of 2024. Their speeds range from 300 Mbps to the gigabit range.
Google Fiber offers fiber to the home service in some parts of Irvine and OC, making it the best value for speed in those areas. If you're in that area, be sure to check out their plans.
Ting offers community-wide fiber in Culver City, and their prices are hard to beat. They're also a great option if you're looking for a more personalized customer service experience.
Starry Internet is a fixed wireless provider that's rapidly expanding in neighborhoods like Koreatown and Hollywood. They offer speeds above 200 Mbps for around $40, making them a cost-effective option.
Here are some internet providers in LA that are worth considering:
- AT&T Fiber
- Google Fiber (in Irvine and OC)
- Ting (in Culver City)
- Starry Internet (fixed wireless)
- Earthlink (resells service over AT&T lines)
Note that some of these providers may have specific requirements or restrictions, so be sure to check their plans and pricing before making a decision.
At&T Packages Compared
AT&T offers a range of packages that include TV and phone services, making it a great option if you want more value from your Internet plan.
The entry price for speeds of at least 25 Mbps is $35, which is a good option if you're looking for the absolute cheapest price compared to Spectrum.
AT&T's fiber coverage reaches around 30% of households in LA, but the speed you can get will vary wildly based on location.
You can get gigabit fiber in some neighborhoods, which is a huge benefit if you need high-speed internet.
If you're not in a fiber area, AT&T will try and sell you DSL or "IPBB" service, which has much lower upload speeds and may not be suitable for working from home.
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Here's a quick rundown of AT&T's packages:
Keep in mind that AT&T's DSL or "IPBB" service has a data cap, which may not be ideal if you binge Netflix daily.
AT&T's Double Play bundle is a good option if you want to add TV service and get a discount.
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Comparison and Reviews
Fiber connections are the clear winner when it comes to customer satisfaction, with 70% of respondents saying they're very or completely satisfied.
EPB, a municipal broadband service in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is one of the top-rated ISPs, earning high marks for its fiber service. Greenlight Networks, which serves municipalities in New York, is another notable example.
Allo Fiber, which operates in 50 cities, stands out for its excellent technical support and value. Shentel, a provider in Virginia, earned top ratings for both service and technical support.
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Provider Pros and Cons
Spectrum takes the lead in consistency in connectivity, making it a great option if you want reliable internet service.
One of the downsides of Spectrum is that its promos are mostly geared towards new subscribers, leaving existing customers with limited options.
Both AT&T and Spectrum offer fast gigabit download speeds, but you'll need to consider the installation fees, which can be expensive with AT&T.
Data caps are also a concern on non-fiber plans, so be sure to check your provider's policies before signing up.
AT&T's fiber service has limited coverage compared to its other connection plans, making it less appealing for some users.
Here's a comparison of the pros and cons of AT&T and Spectrum:
Customer Ratings
Customer ratings can be a great indicator of a company's overall quality and service. Verizon ranks second out of 15 internet providers for overall satisfaction, with a rating of 3.9/5.
Verizon's reliability satisfaction is its highest rating, at 4.0/5, which is likely due to its fiber internet service. This is a notable advantage, as fiber is generally more reliable than cable and DSL.
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Spectrum, on the other hand, falls to seventh out of 15 for overall satisfaction, with a rating of 3.7/5. It also ranks seventh in speed satisfaction, but does rank slightly higher in speed at 3.9/5.
Here's a comparison of Verizon and Spectrum's customer ratings:
Fiber internet service seems to be a key factor in customer satisfaction, as more than half of respondents with fiber service said they were very or completely satisfied. In fact, the seven ISPs that earned the highest Overall Satisfaction Scores in our ratings offer fiber service.
Altafiber Comparison
Altafiber offers speeds above 200 Mbps for around $40, making it more cost-effective than Spectrum.
You can get Altafiber in parts of the Midwest and South, where it has favorable ratings for service, speed, technical support, and reliability.
Altafiber is one of the nine additional internet providers that earned favorable Overall Satisfaction Scores.
In contrast to Spectrum, which provides 80% cable and 20% fiber in its service areas, Altafiber is a true fiber-to-the-home provider.
Altafiber has strong marks for local customer service, local network management, and affordable internet plans.
Altafiber is available in areas where traditional satellite broadband providers like HughesNet and Viasat have traditionally fared poorly in CR's telecom surveys.
Altafiber offers faster speeds and lower latency than traditional satellite services, making it a more reliable option for internet users.
Altafiber has favorable ratings for speed, reliability, and technical support, making it a great alternative to Spectrum.
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Deals and Pricing
Verizon offers a $250 Amazon gift card when you sign up online for a 5G Home Ultimate or LTE Home Plus plan. This is a great incentive for those looking to upgrade their internet service.
You can also get Fios home internet from Verizon for just $45 per month if you're a veteran, teacher, or first responder. This is a significant discount that can save you money in the long run.
Verizon Perks are also available for certain fixed wireless or fiber plans, worth up to $10 per month. This is a nice bonus for customers who choose these plans.
Here are some internet plans from AT&T, listed by price and speed:
Spectrum, on the other hand, offers a few plans with varying speeds and prices. However, if you're looking for cable service, you'll want to check out AT&T's options.
Extra Fees and Data Cap
If you're considering switching from Spectrum, you should be aware of the extra fees and data caps associated with some internet providers.
AT&T's fixed wireless plan comes with data overage fees that vary depending on how much you exceed the monthly data allowance.
Some providers, like AT&T, don't impose data caps on their fiber plans, which can be a big advantage if you stream or work online a lot.
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Extra Fees
Spectrum charges a $10 monthly fee for WiFi, which can be eliminated by buying your own router.
Verizon is a cheaper, faster, and more reliable option, especially if you can get it.
AT&T and Spectrum don't have contracts, so you won't encounter an early termination fee for canceling your agreement early.
Non-return equipment fees are charged by both AT&T and Spectrum.
Spectrum doesn't charge a modem rental fee each month, which is a plus.
Data Cap
Data cap is a crucial aspect to consider when choosing an internet service provider. AT&T doesn't impose data caps on its fiber plans, which is a major plus for heavy internet users.
Spectrum, on the other hand, doesn't have data caps on any of its plans. This means you can surf, stream, and download to your heart's content without worrying about going over a limit.
If you opt for AT&T's fixed wireless plan, be aware that data overage fees apply. These fees vary depending on how much you exceed your monthly data allowance, so it's essential to keep track of your usage.
Switching Providers
Switching providers is a viable option if you're fed up with Spectrum's price hikes.
If you're looking for a cheaper alternative, consider Spectrum alternatives like Earthlink and AT&T Fiber, which expanded rapidly in 2024 due to increased demand for fast home internet during Covid-19.
You might be able to cut off Spectrum and switch to a faster, cheaper internet provider, as these alternatives are now more readily available.
Their agents can compare options at your address and advise which is best for your needs, thanks to a partnership with BundleYourHome.
Other Providers
Spectrum alternatives like Earthlink and AT&T Fiber expanded rapidly in 2024, thanks to increased demand for fast home internet during Covid-19.
You might be able to cut off Spectrum and switch to a faster, cheaper internet provider by calling our partner BundleYourHome for live help.
About a third of LA has fiber access, but the rest of the city is stuck paying as much as $130/month for only 35 Mbps upload speeds from Spectrum.
Recent developments from local companies like T-Mobile and Starry mean you might have internet options that don't show up in online search tools.
Some online search tools are owned by the major providers or their advertising partners, so it's worth doing some extra digging to find the best option for you.
For your interest: When Is Spectrum Coming Back Online
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the downside of spectrum internet?
Spectrum internet's main drawback is its high and constantly increasing price, which may be a significant concern for customers. Despite its fast speeds and good customer service, the cost can be considered "ridiculous" by some users.
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