Best Internet Providers in Berkeley, CA
Compare 7 internet providers serving 124,321 Berkeley residents. Xfinity covers 97% and AT&T Fiber reaches 89%, giving most residents excellent wired options in the East Bay.
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Xfinity 1-844-963-0138Quick Answer: Best Internet in Berkeley
Xfinity is the most widely available provider in Berkeley at 97% coverage with cable and fiber speeds up to 2 Gbps. AT&T Fiber covers 89% of the city and delivers the fastest symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps with no data caps. T-Mobile 5G provides a flexible wireless backup at $40-50/month for renters and students near UC Berkeley.
Key Takeaways
- Best overall: Xfinity for coverage; AT&T Fiber for speed and no caps
- Best for speed: AT&T Fiber up to 5 Gbps symmetrical
- Best for students: T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/mo, no contract or setup
- Best for renters: T-Mobile 5G or Verizon Fios with easy installs
- 7 providers: Competitive Bay Area market with strong fiber coverage
Berkeley Internet Providers Comparison
Verified February 2026. Coverage percentages based on FCC data and may vary by neighborhood.
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity | Cable/Fiber | 2 Gbps | $35/mo | 1.2 TB | No | 1-844-963-0138 |
| AT&T Fiber | Fiber | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G/Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| Verizon Fios | Fiber | 2.3 Gbps | $50/mo | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Starlink | LEO Satellite | 250 Mbps | $120/mo | Soft cap | No | Online only |
| 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 |
*Viasat Unleashed plan. Prices before taxes and fees.
Berkeley Internet Providers: Detailed Reviews
Xfinity Internet in Berkeley
~97% CoverageXfinity is the most accessible provider in Berkeley with 97% coverage. Cable and fiber plans range from 75 Mbps to 2 Gbps. The 1.2 TB data cap applies to most plans but is adequate for typical households. No contracts are required.
Choose Xfinity If:
- You want the widest availability in Berkeley
- You need speeds up to 2 Gbps on a reliable cable network
Avoid Xfinity If:
- Unlimited data is essential and you don't want to pay extra
- You need symmetrical upload speeds for video production
AT&T Fiber in Berkeley
~89% CoverageAT&T Fiber delivers the fastest speeds in Berkeley at up to 5 Gbps symmetrical with no data caps. With 89% coverage, most Berkeley residents can access fiber. Plans start at $55/month for 300 Mbps and scale to $180/month for 5 Gbps.
Choose AT&T Fiber If:
- You want the fastest internet in Berkeley with no data caps
- Symmetrical uploads matter for your work or content creation
Avoid AT&T If:
- You want the lowest starting monthly rate
- Your address isn't in the 89% fiber footprint
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet in Berkeley
~65% CoverageT-Mobile 5G is ideal for Berkeley's large renter and student population. At $40-50/month with no contract, no data caps, and self-install, it provides flexibility that wired providers can't match. Speeds typically range from 100-245 Mbps.
Choose T-Mobile If:
- You're a student or renter who wants easy, portable service
- You want a flat rate with no price hikes for five years
Avoid T-Mobile If:
- You need consistent speeds above 300 Mbps
- Low latency is critical for your use case
Berkeley Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | Xfinity | AT&T Fiber | Verizon Fios | T-Mobile 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps | $50/mo | $55/mo | $50/mo | $40-50/mo |
| 500 Mbps | $60/mo | $65/mo | $70/mo | - |
| 1 Gbps | $80/mo | $80/mo | $90/mo | - |
| 2 Gbps | $120/mo | $110/mo | $120/mo | - |
How Much Speed Do You Need?
- 1-2 people, light use: 100-300 Mbps for streaming and browsing
- 3-5 people, moderate use: 500 Mbps for multiple streams and video calls
- Remote work + content creation: 1 Gbps+ for demanding applications
Learn more in our internet speed guide.
Internet Service in Berkeley: Local Overview
- Population: 124,321
- CBSA: 41860 (San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley)
- Providers: 7 total (fiber, cable, 5G, satellite)
Berkeley benefits from the competitive San Francisco Bay Area broadband market. Xfinity and AT&T Fiber together cover nearly the entire city, providing most residents with at least two strong wired options. The city's tech-savvy population and UC Berkeley campus drive high demand for fast, reliable connections.
The hilly terrain in parts of Berkeley can affect 5G wireless signal strength. Residents in the Berkeley Hills may find T-Mobile 5G less reliable than those in the flatlands closer to the bay. Wired fiber and cable remain the most dependable options across all neighborhoods.
Internet by Berkeley Neighborhood
- Downtown/UC Berkeley: Full Xfinity and AT&T Fiber coverage
- North Berkeley/Gourmet Ghetto: AT&T Fiber and Xfinity both strong
- Berkeley Hills: Xfinity reliable; 5G signal may vary with terrain
- South Berkeley/Ashby: Xfinity and AT&T Fiber available throughout
- West Berkeley/Waterfront: Full wired coverage; strong T-Mobile 5G
Frequently Asked Questions About Berkeley Internet
What is the best internet provider in Berkeley, CA?
Xfinity is the best overall with 97% coverage. AT&T Fiber is the top choice for speed and no data caps, covering 89% of Berkeley with up to 5 Gbps symmetrical.
Is fiber internet available in Berkeley?
Yes. AT&T Fiber covers 89% of Berkeley and Verizon Fios covers 36%. Combined with Xfinity's fiber-backed plans, most addresses have fiber or near-fiber speeds available.
What is the best internet for UC Berkeley students?
T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/month is ideal for students with no contract, self-install, and portability. AT&T Fiber is best for shared houses needing faster speeds.
How much does internet cost in Berkeley?
Plans start at $35/month for Xfinity and go to $180/month for AT&T 5 Gbps. Most households pay $55-80/month for 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps service.
Is 5G home internet reliable in the Berkeley Hills?
5G performance varies in hilly areas. T-Mobile 5G works well in flat parts of Berkeley but may be less consistent in the hills. Wired fiber from AT&T or Xfinity is more reliable there.
About the Author
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Our team regularly reviews and updates this guide to ensure accuracy. Provider availability and pricing are verified using FCC data and direct provider confirmation.
Editorial Disclosure
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 does not influence our ratings or recommendations. See our editorial guidelines and how we make money.
Internet Speed Requirements for Berkeley Households
The speed you need in Berkeley 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 Berkeley 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.