Best Internet Providers in Tempe, AZ
Compare 9 internet providers serving 180,587 Tempe residents. Home to Arizona State University, Tempe offers strong broadband competition across fiber, cable, and 5G.
Quick Answer: Best Internet in Tempe
Cox Internet is the best provider for most Tempe residents, covering 81% of the city with cable and fiber speeds up to 2 Gbps. CenturyLink (Quantum Fiber) covers 80% with fiber speeds to 940 Mbps and price-for-life guarantees. AT&T Fiber reaches 50% with symmetrical speeds to 5 Gbps. T-Mobile 5G provides a wireless option at $40-50/month.
Key Takeaways
- Best coverage: Cox cable at 81% and CenturyLink fiber at 80%
- Best for speed: AT&T Fiber with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps
- Best value: CenturyLink at $30/mo with price-for-life
- Best for ASU students: T-Mobile 5G at $40/mo with no contract
- 9 providers: Competitive Phoenix metro market
Tempe Internet Providers Comparison
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cox Internet | Cable/Fiber | 2 Gbps | $30/mo | 1.25 TB | No | 1-855-342-0684 |
| CenturyLink | Fiber/DSL | 940 Mbps | $30/mo | None | No | 1-855-512-4817 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G/Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| Verizon Fios/5G | Fiber/5G | 1 Gbps | $35/mo** | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Limited | 2-year | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Unlimited*** | No | 1-855-463-9333 |
| Starlink | LEO Satellite | 250 Mbps | $120/mo | Soft cap | No | Online only |
**Verizon with mobile bundle. ***Viasat Unleashed plan.
Top Tempe Internet Providers
Cox Internet in Tempe
Cox is the primary cable provider in Tempe with 81% coverage. Plans range from 100 Mbps to 2 Gbps with no contracts. The 1.25 TB data cap applies to most plans but is sufficient for most households. Cox bundles well with TV and phone service.
- Internet Essential: 100 Mbps - $30/mo
- Internet Preferred: 250 Mbps - $64/mo
- Internet Gigablast: 1 Gbps - $100/mo
Choose If:
- You want wide cable coverage with speeds to 2 Gbps
- You prefer bundling TV and internet
Avoid If:
- The 1.25 TB data cap is a concern
CenturyLink Fiber in Tempe
CenturyLink (Quantum Fiber) covers 80% of Tempe with fiber and DSL. The fiber service offers up to 940 Mbps symmetrical with no data caps and a price-for-life guarantee, meaning your rate never increases. Plans start at $30/month.
Choose If:
- You want a price that never increases
- No data cap is important to you
Avoid If:
- Only DSL (not fiber) is available at your address
AT&T Fiber in Tempe
AT&T covers 50% of Tempe with fiber and DSL options. Where fiber is available, residents get symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps with no data caps. AT&T Fiber is the fastest residential option in Tempe.
Choose If:
- You need the fastest speeds available (up to 5 Gbps)
- Symmetrical upload speeds are important
Avoid If:
- CenturyLink's price-for-life is more appealing
Tempe Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | Cox | CenturyLink | AT&T | T-Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100-200 Mbps | $30/mo | $30/mo | - | $40-50/mo |
| 300 Mbps | $64/mo | $50/mo | $55/mo | - |
| 500-940 Mbps | $84/mo | $60/mo | $65/mo | - |
| 1 Gbps | $100/mo | - | $80/mo | - |
Learn more: How much speed do you need?
Internet Service in Tempe
Tempe is part of the Phoenix metropolitan area and home to Arizona State University, the largest public university in the US by enrollment. This drives enormous demand for high-speed internet, especially in the apartment-dense areas near campus. Cox cable and CenturyLink fiber both cover the vast majority of the city, giving most residents a choice between cable and fiber.
AT&T has been expanding fiber in the Phoenix metro, and Tempe is a priority market. Verizon 5G Home and T-Mobile 5G both offer wireless alternatives, popular with the large student population that prefers no-contract service.
Internet by Tempe Area
- Downtown/ASU Campus: Cox, CenturyLink, and AT&T all available
- South Tempe: Strong Cox and CenturyLink fiber coverage
- Tempe Marketplace area: Multiple provider options; 5G coverage solid
- West Tempe/Papago Park: Cox cable primary; CenturyLink expanding
Frequently Asked Questions About Tempe Internet
What is the best internet in Tempe?
Cox has 81% coverage with speeds to 2 Gbps. CenturyLink fiber covers 80% with price-for-life guarantees. AT&T Fiber is fastest at 5 Gbps.
Is fiber available in Tempe?
Yes, CenturyLink fiber covers 80%, AT&T Fiber 50%, and Verizon Fios 40%. Tempe has excellent fiber infrastructure.
How much does internet cost in Tempe?
CenturyLink and Cox both start at $30/month. Most pay $40-80/month. CenturyLink's price-for-life means no rate increases.
What is the fastest internet in Tempe?
AT&T Fiber offers 5 Gbps symmetrical. Cox reaches 2 Gbps. CenturyLink fiber goes to 940 Mbps symmetrical.
What is the best internet for ASU students?
T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/month is ideal for students wanting no-contract service. CenturyLink's $30/month price-for-life is the best wired value.
About the Author
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Our team regularly reviews and updates this guide to ensure accuracy.
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InternetProviders.ai is committed to providing accurate, unbiased information. Some providers listed are partners who compensate us when you sign up through our links or phone numbers. This compensation may affect provider ordering but does not influence our ratings or recommendations. See our editorial guidelines and how we make money.
Internet Speed Requirements for Tempe Households
The speed you need in Tempe depends on how many people and devices use your connection simultaneously. A single person streaming video and browsing the web can get by with 50-100 Mbps. A household of 2-3 people with regular streaming and video calls should target 200-300 Mbps. Larger families with 4 or more heavy users benefit from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps plans, especially when multiple people are streaming in 4K, gaming online, or working from home at the same time.
Upload speed matters just as much as download speed for Tempe residents who work remotely. Video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Teams require at least 5 Mbps upload for stable HD video, and 10 Mbps or more for group calls with screen sharing. If multiple household members participate in video calls simultaneously, ensure your plan provides at least 20-25 Mbps upload speed. Fiber plans offer the best upload performance with symmetrical speeds.
How to Choose an Internet Provider in Tempe
Start by checking which providers actually serve your specific address in Tempe, as coverage can vary significantly even within the same city. Enter your address on each provider's website or use our comparison tool to see all available options. Compare the actual speeds offered at your address, not just the provider's maximum advertised speed, since availability of faster tiers depends on local infrastructure.
Beyond speed, compare the total monthly cost including equipment rental fees, installation charges, and price increases after promotional periods end. Providers in Tempe, Arizona may offer different promotions depending on the season and competition in your area. Ask about no-contract options to maintain flexibility, and check whether a provider requires a credit check, as some offer prepaid alternatives. Reading recent customer reviews specific to Tempe gives the most relevant picture of service quality and reliability in your neighborhood.