Best Internet Providers in Santa Monica, CA (2026)
Santa Monica has 9 internet providers serving 93,076 residents. The city's coastal tech scene benefits from multiple fiber, cable, and 5G options.
Check availability: 1-844-481-5997 (Spectrum)
Quick Answer: Best Internet in Santa Monica
Spectrum leads Santa Monica with 83.4% cable coverage and no-contract plans up to 1 Gbps. AT&T Fiber is the premium choice at 78.2% coverage with symmetric speeds to 5 Gbps, perfect for the city's remote workers and creatives.
- Best overall: Spectrum - cable up to 1 Gbps, no contract
- Best for speed: AT&T Fiber - symmetric up to 5 Gbps
- Best budget: T-Mobile 5G - from $25/mo
- Best fiber alt: Frontier Fiber - up to 5 Gbps, 19.1% area
All Internet Providers in Santa Monica
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | Cable | 1 Gbps | $49.99/mo | None | None | 1-844-481-5997 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | None | 1-855-850-5977 |
| T-Mobile | 5G/Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $25/mo | None | None | 1-844-275-9311 |
| Verizon 5G Home | 5G | 300 Mbps | $35/mo | None | None | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Frontier Fiber | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $49.99/mo | None | None | 1-855-981-6281 |
| Cox Internet | Cable/Fiber | 2 Gbps | $49.99/mo | 1.25 TB | None | 1-855-342-0684 |
| Starlink | Satellite | 220 Mbps | $120/mo | Priority data | None | Online only |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | $49.99/mo | 100-200 GB | None | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | $49.99/mo | 40-300 GB | 24 months | 1-855-463-9333 |
Top Internet Providers in Santa Monica Reviewed
Spectrum - Best Overall in Santa Monica
Spectrum covers 83.4% of Santa Monica with cable plans up to 1 Gbps. No contracts, no data caps, and no hidden fees make it the simplest choice for most residents and apartment dwellers.
Plans: Internet 300 ($49.99/mo) | Internet 500 ($69.99/mo) | Internet Gig ($89.99/mo)
Choose if: You want hassle-free cable with wide availability. Avoid if: You upload large files and need symmetric speeds.
Call Spectrum: 1-844-481-5997
AT&T Fiber - Best for Creatives and Remote Workers
AT&T Fiber reaches 78.2% of Santa Monica with symmetric speeds that match the needs of the city's entertainment and tech professionals. Plans scale to 5 Gbps with no caps or contracts.
Plans: Fiber 300 ($55/mo) | Fiber 500 ($65/mo) | Fiber 1 Gig ($80/mo) | Fiber 5 Gig ($180/mo)
Choose if: You need fast uploads for video production or cloud backups. Avoid if: Budget is your main concern.
Call AT&T: 1-855-850-5977
T-Mobile 5G - Most Affordable Option
T-Mobile covers 72.7% of Santa Monica with 5G home internet starting at $25/mo. The no-contract, no-install approach is especially convenient for renters in the city's many apartment complexes.
Plans: Rely ($25/mo, 33-100 Mbps) | All-In ($50/mo, up to 245 Mbps)
Choose if: You want the lowest monthly bill. Avoid if: You need consistent latency for gaming.
Call T-Mobile: 1-844-275-9311
Speed Tier Comparison in Santa Monica
| Speed Tier | Spectrum | AT&T | Frontier | T-Mobile | Verizon 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (25-100 Mbps) | - | - | - | $25/mo | $35/mo |
| Mid (200-300 Mbps) | $49.99/mo | $55/mo | $49.99/mo | $50/mo | $50/mo |
| Fast (400-500 Mbps) | $69.99/mo | $65/mo | $59.99/mo | - | - |
| Gig (940+ Mbps) | $89.99/mo | $80/mo | $74.99/mo | - | - |
| Multi-Gig (2+ Gbps) | - | $150/mo | $149.99/mo | - | - |
Speed guide: Santa Monica's remote-work culture means most households benefit from 300+ Mbps. Choose gigabit or higher for video production or households with 8+ connected devices.
Internet in Santa Monica: Local Market Overview
Santa Monica, a beachfront city of 93,076 in the Los Angeles metro (CBSA 31080), is a hub for tech startups and entertainment companies. High-speed internet is essential for the city's professionals, and the market delivers with multiple fiber and cable providers.
Verizon 5G Home covers 37.6% of addresses, primarily along the more densely developed corridors. Frontier Fiber is expanding at 19.1%, adding price competition in neighborhoods where it overlaps with AT&T and Spectrum.
Neighborhood Coverage Guide
- Downtown / Third Street Promenade: Spectrum, AT&T, and Verizon 5G available
- Ocean Park: AT&T Fiber and Spectrum both accessible
- North of Montana: Premium area with AT&T Fiber and Frontier options
- Mid-City / Pico area: Strong Spectrum and T-Mobile 5G coverage
Nearby Cities
Compare options in Los Angeles, Culver City, and Venice.
Internet Speed Requirements for Santa Monica Households
The speed you need in Santa Monica 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 Monica 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 Santa Monica
Start by checking which providers actually serve your specific address in Santa Monica, 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 Santa Monica, California 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 Santa Monica gives the most relevant picture of service quality and reliability in your neighborhood.
Santa Monica Internet FAQ
What is the fastest internet in Santa Monica, CA?
AT&T Fiber and Frontier Fiber both deliver up to 5 Gbps. Spectrum cable provides up to 1 Gbps. Cox offers up to 2 Gbps in limited areas.
What is the best internet provider in Santa Monica?
Spectrum is best overall with 83.4% coverage and no contracts. AT&T Fiber is the speed leader with symmetric multi-gig plans.
How much does internet cost in Santa Monica?
Prices range from $25/mo (T-Mobile 5G) to $180/mo (AT&T 5 Gig). Most households pay $50-80/mo for cable or fiber.
Is Frontier Fiber available in Santa Monica?
Yes, covering 19.1% of addresses with plans up to 5 Gbps and no contracts. Availability varies by neighborhood.
What internet is best for remote work in Santa Monica?
AT&T Fiber or Frontier Fiber are best for remote work thanks to symmetric upload speeds essential for video calls and cloud uploads.
Explore More Internet Options
California Internet
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Last updated: February 7, 2026. We review Santa Monica provider data monthly to ensure accuracy.
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