Best DSL Internet Providers in San Francisco, California (2026)
DSL internet in San Francisco is best served by AT&T Internet with 89.3% area coverage. Monthly pricing starts from $37-55 for speeds of 15-100 Mbps, using existing telephone wiring to your home.
Finding the right DSL internet provider in San Francisco, CA means understanding what each company offers in terms of speed, price, and availability. As a large city of 808,988 in the West, San Francisco is served by 1 DSL-capable provider. AT&T Internet currently has the largest DSL network, reaching about 89.3% of households.
DSL Internet Providers in San Francisco: Comparison Table
| Provider | Max Speed | Starting Price | Coverage | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet | 100 Mbps | $55/mo | 89.3% | 1-855-850-5977 |
DSL Internet Providers Serving San Francisco, CA
Each DSL provider serving San Francisco residents is profiled below with current plan offerings and coverage data.
AT&T Internet DSL Internet in San Francisco
AT&T Internet serves an estimated 89.3% of San Francisco addresses with DSL-based broadband connectivity.
The quality of your AT&T Internet DSL connection in San Francisco depends primarily on the distance between your home and the nearest Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM). Shorter copper loops deliver faster, more reliable speeds.
- Internet 100: 100 Mbps download for $55/mo (VDSL2/IPBB technology)
- Internet 25: 25 Mbps download for $55/mo (ADSL2+ technology)
View AT&T Internet DSL plans for San Francisco →
Call 1-855-850-5977 to check AT&T Internet DSL availability at your San Francisco address.
While Xfinity does not offer DSL in San Francisco, it provides alternative internet service. Call 1-844-963-0138 to learn about Xfinity plans.
T-Mobile serves San Francisco with 5G, Fixed Wireless, Mobile technology. Call 1-844-275-9311 to learn about T-Mobile plans.
Consider HughesNet as an alternative to DSL in San Francisco if coverage is available. Call 1-855-543-5405 to learn about HughesNet plans.
For a non-DSL option in San Francisco, Verizon Fios offers service via Fiber. Call 1-855-387-1456 to learn about Verizon Fios plans.
While Viasat does not offer DSL in San Francisco, it provides alternative internet service. Call 1-855-463-9333 to learn about Viasat plans.
DSL Internet Technology in the San Francisco Market
The DSL internet landscape in San Francisco, CA is built on decades of copper telephone infrastructure. Today, two primary DSL technologies serve local homes: ADSL2+ with speeds reaching up to 24 Mbps, and VDSL2 delivering up to 100 Mbps. The technology available at any particular San Francisco address depends on the length of copper wire between the home and the nearest DSLAM, a piece of equipment that bridges the telephone company's fiber backbone to the copper last-mile network.
Distance-to-DSLAM is the defining factor for DSL speed in San Francisco. At 1,000 feet, VDSL2 performs near its maximum capability. By 5,000 feet, speeds typically drop to 25-50 Mbps. Beyond 10,000 feet, the connection falls back to ADSL2+ levels in the 5-15 Mbps range. San Francisco neighborhoods vary widely in their proximity to DSLAMs, so checking exact availability at your address before selecting a plan is essential. Providers serving the West region have installed additional street-level DSLAMs in recent years to improve speeds in residential pockets.
One of DSL's strongest selling points for San Francisco residents is the dedicated nature of the copper pair. Unlike cable internet, which shares a coaxial node among multiple houses, each DSL subscriber's connection runs independently to the DSLAM. This dedicated path eliminates the congestion slowdowns that cable users sometimes experience during peak evening hours.
For San Francisco households without access to fiber or cable internet, DSL provides a reliable wired broadband option that avoids the latency challenges of satellite service. Most DSL plans in the California market include unlimited data, and many can be bundled with traditional home phone service for a reduced combined rate. This makes DSL a practical choice for budget-conscious consumers in San Francisco who need dependable everyday internet service.
Selecting Your DSL Provider in San Francisco
Choosing a DSL internet provider in San Francisco starts with understanding what is available at your address. Unlike cable or fiber, DSL availability is highly location-dependent because it relies on the physical distance of copper wire to the nearest DSLAM. Use your San Francisco ZIP code (94102) to check coverage on provider websites, or call the numbers listed above for personalized availability checks.
Consider your household's bandwidth requirements when selecting a speed tier. For a single person or couple using the internet for email, web browsing, and light streaming, an ADSL plan in the 15-25 Mbps range is typically sufficient. Families in San Francisco with multiple devices connected simultaneously, online gaming, or video conferencing needs will benefit from VDSL2 speeds of 50 Mbps or higher when available.
Compare the complete cost picture across providers. Monthly service charges, modem rental fees, installation costs, and any promotional-to-regular price jumps all affect what you actually pay over time. Some San Francisco providers include the modem at no extra charge, while others charge $10-15 per month for equipment rental, which adds up to $120-180 per year.
Reliability and customer support matter just as much as price and speed. Look for reviews from San Francisco residents about their experience with each DSL provider, including installation wait times, outage frequency, and responsiveness of technical support. For a large city in the West, local service quality can differ significantly from a provider's national reputation.
San Francisco DSL Internet: What Locals Should Know
San Francisco, California has 1 DSL provider among its 8 total internet options. For this large city of 808,988 in the West, DSL continues to serve an important segment of the broadband market, especially for addresses where newer technologies are not yet available or where price sensitivity is a primary concern.
The physical geography of San Francisco and its surrounding area affects DSL deployment. Telephone companies have placed DSLAMs strategically based on population density and demand. Higher-density San Francisco neighborhoods tend to have more DSLAM locations, improving the chances of qualifying for faster VDSL2 service. Checking your specific address is always recommended before choosing a plan.
DSL service in San Francisco often includes the option to bundle with a traditional home phone line, which shares the same copper pair. For households in San Francisco that still maintain a landline for reliability or preference, this bundling can represent meaningful monthly savings. Even for those who do not need a phone line, DSL remains economical as a standalone internet service compared to many competing options in the California market.
Frequently Asked Questions About DSL Internet in San Francisco
How long does DSL installation take in San Francisco?
DSL installation in San Francisco typically takes 5-10 business days from order to activation. Many providers offer self-installation kits that ship to your San Francisco address, allowing you to set up service the same day it is activated. Professional installation, which includes a technician visit, may take an additional few days to schedule.
What is the difference between ADSL and VDSL2?
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) reaches up to 24 Mbps and works at longer distances from the DSLAM, up to about 18,000 feet. VDSL2 (Very-high-bit-rate DSL 2) offers speeds up to 100 Mbps but requires a shorter copper loop, typically under 5,000 feet. Both technologies use existing copper telephone wiring.
Do DSL internet plans in San Francisco have data caps?
Most DSL internet plans available in San Francisco do not include monthly data caps. Unlike satellite and some mobile broadband services, DSL providers in California generally offer unlimited data usage on residential plans, making them suitable for streaming, remote work, and everyday browsing.
How reliable is DSL internet in San Francisco?
DSL internet in San Francisco is generally reliable because each subscriber has a dedicated copper connection to the DSLAM. Outages are typically caused by physical line damage or central office equipment issues rather than network congestion. Older copper wiring may be more susceptible to weather-related signal degradation, but modern DSL equipment handles most conditions well.
Can I bundle DSL internet with phone service in San Francisco?
Yes, most DSL providers in San Francisco offer bundles that include both internet and home phone service over the same copper telephone line. Bundling typically saves $5-20 per month compared to purchasing each service separately. Ask your provider about current bundle pricing when you call.
What equipment do I need for DSL internet in San Francisco?
To use DSL internet in San Francisco, you need a DSL modem (or combination modem-router gateway) and DSL line filters for any phone jacks in use. Most providers include a modem with service, either for a monthly rental fee or included at no extra charge. A separate Wi-Fi router may be needed if the provided modem does not include wireless capability.
Related Internet Resources for San Francisco
- Internet Providers in San Francisco, CA
- Cheap Internet in San Francisco
- Fiber Internet in San Francisco
- Cable Internet in San Francisco
- Internet Providers in California
- DSL vs Cable Internet Comparison
- Internet Speed Guide
The information on this page about DSL providers in San Francisco is researched independently. Affiliate links are used for provider referrals, and we may receive compensation for sign-ups. Our analysis of DSL coverage and plan pricing in San Francisco is not affected by these commercial relationships.