Best Internet Providers in Riverside, CA
Compare 9 internet providers serving 314,998 Riverside residents. The Inland Empire's anchor city offers strong fiber competition between Frontier, AT&T, and Spectrum cable.
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Spectrum 1-844-481-5997Quick Answer: Best Internet in Riverside
Spectrum is the best overall internet provider in Riverside, covering about 86% of the city with cable service and no data caps. Frontier Fiber and AT&T Fiber both provide symmetrical gigabit-and-beyond speeds where available. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offers a wireless alternative at $40-50/month with no contracts.
Key Takeaways
- Best overall: Spectrum with 86% cable coverage and no data caps
- Best fiber: Frontier Fiber or AT&T Fiber for symmetrical multi-gig speeds
- Best value: Spectrum at $30/mo or T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/mo
- Best for renters: T-Mobile 5G for easy no-contract setup
- 9 providers: Strong Inland Empire competition
Riverside Internet Providers Comparison
Verified providers serving Riverside as of February 2026. Coverage estimates based on FCC data.
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | Cable | 1 Gbps | $30/mo* | None | No | 1-844-481-5997 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| Frontier Fiber | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $50/mo | None | No | 1-855-981-6281 |
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G/Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40-50/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| Verizon Fios / 5G | Fiber/5G | 1 Gbps | $35/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 |
*Spectrum first-year promotional pricing. **Verizon pricing with mobile bundle. ***Viasat Unleashed plan.
Top Riverside Internet Providers: Detailed Reviews
Spectrum Internet in Riverside
~86% CoverageSpectrum is the most widely available wired provider in Riverside, serving about 86% of the city with cable. Plans start at $30/month for 300 Mbps with no data caps and no contracts. Spectrum offers consistent performance across Riverside's sprawling neighborhoods.
Choose Spectrum If:
- You need the widest wired coverage in Riverside
- No data caps and no contracts are important to you
- You want the lowest introductory rate in the market
Avoid Spectrum If:
- You need fast upload speeds for remote work or cloud backups
- You are concerned about post-promotional price increases
Frontier Fiber in Riverside
~47% CoverageFrontier Fiber serves about 47% of Riverside with symmetrical fiber plans from 500 Mbps to 5 Gbps. Frontier has invested heavily in Southern California fiber after restructuring, and Riverside is a priority market. No contracts and no data caps on all fiber plans.
Choose Frontier If:
- Fiber is available at your Riverside address
- You want symmetrical speeds at competitive pricing
- You prefer a provider focused on the Inland Empire market
Avoid Frontier If:
- Only DSL is available at your location
- You need the widest possible coverage for moves within Riverside
AT&T Internet in Riverside
~53% CoverageAT&T provides fiber, fixed wireless, and DSL across roughly 53% of Riverside addresses. Fiber plans deliver symmetrical speeds from 300 Mbps to 5 Gbps with no data caps. AT&T continues to expand fiber throughout the Inland Empire.
Choose AT&T If:
- Fiber service is available at your address
- You want symmetrical upload and download speeds
- You need multi-gig speeds for content creation or large households
Avoid AT&T If:
- Only DSL is available at your address
- You need the cheapest monthly rate possible
Riverside Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | Spectrum | Frontier | AT&T | T-Mobile 5G | Verizon |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 300 Mbps | $30/mo* | - | $55/mo | $40-50/mo | $35/mo** |
| 500 Mbps | $70/mo | $50/mo | $65/mo | - | - |
| 1 Gbps | $90/mo | $70/mo | $80/mo | - | - |
| 2 Gbps | - | $100/mo | $110/mo | - | - |
| 5 Gbps | - | $155/mo | $180/mo | - | - |
*Spectrum first-year promotional rate. **Verizon with mobile bundle.
How Much Speed Do You Need?
- 1-2 people: 100-300 Mbps for streaming and browsing
- 3-5 people: 500 Mbps for multiple streams and video calls
- Work from home + gaming: 1 Gbps for demanding households
See our guide on how much internet speed you need.
Internet Service in Riverside: Local Market Overview
- Population: 314,998
- CBSA: 40140 (Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario)
- Major industries: Education, Logistics, Healthcare, Manufacturing
- Fiber providers: AT&T, Frontier, Verizon Fios
- Cable providers: Spectrum
- 5G providers: T-Mobile, Verizon
Riverside anchors the Inland Empire metro and benefits from fiber investment by both AT&T and Frontier. Spectrum provides the broadest cable footprint. The University of California, Riverside campus and surrounding area enjoy particularly strong broadband infrastructure. The city's growth as a logistics hub has driven demand for faster connectivity.
Frontier's aggressive Southern California fiber buildout makes Riverside one of the few Inland Empire cities with multiple fiber-to-the-home options competing head-to-head.
Internet by Riverside Neighborhood
- Canyon Crest/UCR: Excellent fiber from AT&T and Frontier
- Mission Grove: Strong Spectrum cable; AT&T fiber expanding
- La Sierra/Tyler Mall: Frontier Fiber and Spectrum cable available
- Downtown/Magnolia Center: Multiple wired and 5G options
- Orangecrest/Woodcrest: Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G primary options
Frequently Asked Questions About Riverside Internet
What is the best internet provider in Riverside, CA?
Spectrum is the best overall with 86% coverage and no data caps. Frontier Fiber and AT&T Fiber are top picks where fiber is available.
Is fiber internet available in Riverside?
Yes. AT&T Fiber covers about 53% of addresses, and Frontier Fiber reaches roughly 47%. Verizon Fios has limited 26% coverage.
How much does internet cost in Riverside?
Prices range from $30/month for Spectrum's intro rate to $180/month for AT&T 5 Gbps fiber. Most households pay $50-80/month.
What is the fastest internet in Riverside?
AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber both offer up to 5 Gbps symmetrical. Spectrum cable tops out at 1 Gbps.
Is 5G home internet available in Riverside?
Yes. T-Mobile 5G covers about 53% of Riverside at $40-50/month. Verizon 5G Home reaches roughly 26% of addresses.
Is Spectrum or Frontier better in Riverside?
Frontier Fiber is better where available with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps. Spectrum has wider coverage and a lower intro price at $30/month but slower uploads.
About the Author
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Our team regularly reviews this guide for accuracy. Provider availability and pricing verified using FCC data and direct provider confirmation.
Editorial Disclosure
InternetProviders.ai is committed to providing accurate, unbiased information to help you choose the right internet service. Some providers listed on this page 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. Our editorial team independently researches each provider. See our editorial guidelines and how we make money.
Internet Speed Requirements for Riverside Households
The speed you need in Riverside 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 Riverside 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.