Best Internet Providers in Santa Maria, CA
Compare 9 internet providers serving 109,707 Santa Maria residents. Find cable, fiber, 5G, and satellite plans on the Central Coast.
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Cox Internet 1-855-342-0684Quick Answer: Best Internet in Santa Maria
Cox Internet and Xfinity are the leading wired providers in Santa Maria, CA, each covering roughly 43-47% of the city. T-Mobile 5G provides the broadest non-satellite coverage at 56%. Frontier Fiber and AT&T deliver fiber options in select neighborhoods. The Central Coast city has 9 total providers, though coverage varies significantly by area.
Key Takeaways
- Best cable: Cox Internet (47%) and Xfinity (43%)
- Best fiber: Frontier Fiber at 39% coverage
- Most available: T-Mobile 5G covering 56% of the city
- Satellite backup: Starlink, Viasat, HughesNet cover 100%
- 9 providers: Fragmented market - check your address
Santa Maria Internet Providers Comparison
Verified providers serving Santa Maria as of February 2026. Coverage is split between multiple providers.
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| Cox Internet | Cable / Fiber | 2 Gbps | $40/mo | 1.25 TB | No | 1-855-342-0684 |
| Xfinity | Cable / Fiber | 2 Gbps | $35/mo | 1.2 TB* | No | 1-844-963-0138 |
| Frontier Fiber | Fiber / DSL | 5 Gbps | $50/mo | None | No | 1-855-981-6281 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber / DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| 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 |
*Xfinity data cap varies by region. **Viasat Unleashed plan.
Santa Maria Internet Providers: Detailed Reviews
Cox Internet in Santa Maria
~47% CoverageCox Internet serves about 47% of Santa Maria with cable and fiber plans up to 2 Gbps. No contracts required, and Cox offers a range of speed tiers to match different budgets. The 1.25 TB data cap applies to most plans but is generous for typical households. Cox has been the primary cable provider in the Santa Maria area for decades.
Choose Cox If:
- Cox cable is available at your Santa Maria address
- You want multiple speed tiers from 100 Mbps to 2 Gbps
Avoid Cox If:
- You want no data caps (choose Frontier Fiber instead)
Frontier Fiber in Santa Maria
~39% CoverageFrontier Fiber covers 39% of Santa Maria with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps, no data caps, and no contracts. Pricing starts at $50/month for 500 Mbps, making Frontier the best value fiber option on the Central Coast. Frontier's fiber network has been expanding steadily across Santa Barbara County.
Choose Frontier Fiber If:
- You want symmetrical fiber with no data caps
- Frontier is available at your address
Avoid Frontier If:
- Only DSL (not fiber) is available at your address
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet in Santa Maria
~56% CoverageT-Mobile 5G is the most widely available non-satellite provider in Santa Maria at 56% coverage. Flat pricing of $40-50/month, no contracts, and no data caps make it a compelling option, especially where wired service is limited.
Choose T-Mobile 5G If:
- Wired providers are not available at your address
- You want predictable pricing with no contract
Avoid T-Mobile 5G If:
- You need consistent speeds above 300 Mbps
Santa Maria Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | Cox | Xfinity | Frontier | AT&T | T-Mobile 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100-300 Mbps | $40/mo | $35/mo | - | $55/mo | $40-50/mo |
| 500 Mbps | $60/mo | $65/mo | $50/mo | $65/mo | - |
| 1 Gbps | $80/mo | $95/mo | $70/mo | $80/mo | - |
| 2 Gbps | $120/mo | $120/mo | $100/mo | $110/mo | - |
How Much Speed Do You Need?
- 1-2 people, light use: 100-300 Mbps
- 3-5 people, moderate use: 500 Mbps
- Work from home + gaming: 1 Gbps
Learn more: How much internet speed do I need?
Internet Service in Santa Maria: Local Overview
- Population: 109,707
- CBSA: 42200 (Santa Maria-Santa Barbara)
- Providers: 9 (cable, fiber, 5G, satellite)
Santa Maria sits on California's Central Coast in northern Santa Barbara County. The broadband market is more fragmented than in larger California cities, with Cox and Xfinity splitting cable coverage and multiple fiber providers each serving different neighborhoods. Checking your specific address is essential since coverage varies block by block. The city's agricultural economy and growing residential base have attracted increasing broadband investment.
T-Mobile 5G provides the broadest non-satellite coverage at 56%, making it a strong fallback where wired options are unavailable. Frontier Fiber has been expanding rapidly on the Central Coast, and AT&T also delivers fiber to select neighborhoods. Satellite providers ensure every Santa Maria address can get online, though wired or 5G options deliver significantly better performance and value for most households.
Internet by Santa Maria Area
- Central Santa Maria: Cox and Xfinity cable available
- Orcutt: Frontier Fiber and Xfinity coverage
- East Santa Maria: Cox cable and T-Mobile 5G
- North Broadway corridor: Multiple wired options
Frequently Asked Questions About Santa Maria Internet
What is the best internet provider in Santa Maria?
Cox and Xfinity are the leading wired providers. T-Mobile 5G has the broadest non-satellite coverage at 56% of the city.
Is fiber internet available in Santa Maria?
Yes. Frontier Fiber covers 39%, AT&T Fiber 28%, and Verizon Fios about 24% of Santa Maria addresses.
How much does internet cost in Santa Maria?
Plans start at $35/month for Xfinity and range to $180/month for multi-gig fiber. Most pay $50-80/month.
What is the fastest internet in Santa Maria?
AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber both offer up to 5 Gbps where available. Cox provides up to 2 Gbps.
Is 5G home internet available in Santa Maria?
Yes. T-Mobile 5G covers 56% of Santa Maria at $40-50/month with no contracts, making it the most widely available non-satellite broadband option.
Why is Santa Maria internet coverage so fragmented?
Multiple cable companies (Cox and Xfinity) split the market rather than one covering the whole city. Each provider serves different neighborhoods, so checking your address is essential.
About the Author
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Our team regularly reviews and updates this guide to ensure accuracy.
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 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 Santa Maria Households
The speed you need in Santa Maria 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 Santa Maria 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.