Best Internet Providers in College Station, TX
Compare 10 internet providers serving 120,511 College Station residents. Home to Texas A&M University, this college town has strong broadband competition with Optimum, Rise Broadband, and T-Mobile leading coverage.
Call to check availability:
Optimum 1-866-200-7273Quick Answer: Best Internet in College Station
Optimum is the best internet provider in College Station, covering 67% of the city with cable and fiber speeds up to 8 Gbps. Rise Broadband offers the widest fixed wireless coverage at 61%. T-Mobile 5G is the best no-contract option for students at $40-50/month. Metronet and AT&T provide additional fiber choices in parts of the city.
Key Takeaways
- Best for speed: Optimum with fiber/cable up to 8 Gbps
- Widest coverage: Rise Broadband at 61% (fixed wireless)
- Best for students: T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/mo, no contract
- Budget pick: Rise Broadband starting at $25/mo
- 10 providers: Excellent competition for a college town
College Station 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Optimum | Fiber/Cable | 8 Gbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-866-200-7273 |
| Rise Broadband | Fixed Wireless/Fiber | 100 Mbps | $25/mo | 250 GB | No | 1-877-910-6207 |
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G/Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| Verizon 5G Home | 5G | 1 Gbps | $35/mo* | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Frontier Fiber | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $50/mo | None | No | 1-855-981-6281 |
| Metronet | Fiber | 2 Gbps | $50/mo | None | No | Online only |
| 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 |
*Verizon pricing with mobile bundle. **Viasat Unleashed plan.
College Station Internet Providers: Detailed Reviews
Optimum Internet in College Station
~67% CoverageOptimum is the leading wired provider in College Station with cable and fiber service reaching 67% of addresses. Plans start at $40/month for 300 Mbps and scale up to 8 Gbps on fiber. No data caps and no contracts make it popular with both students and families.
Choose Optimum If:
- You want the fastest wired speeds in College Station
- You prefer no data caps and no annual contracts
Avoid Optimum If:
- Your address is outside Optimum's 67% footprint
- You need the absolute lowest monthly rate
Rise Broadband in College Station
~61% CoverageRise Broadband provides the most budget-friendly option in College Station starting at just $25/month for fixed wireless internet. Coverage reaches 61% of the area. The 250 GB data cap is a consideration for heavy users, but light-use households and students benefit from the low price.
Choose Rise Broadband If:
- You want the lowest starting price in College Station
- Light browsing and streaming are your primary uses
Avoid Rise Broadband If:
- You need speeds above 100 Mbps
- Your household streams or downloads heavily
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet in College Station
~53% CoverageT-Mobile 5G is the go-to wireless option for College Station's large student population. At $40-50/month with no contract, self-install, and the ability to take it with you when you move, it fits the college lifestyle perfectly. Speeds range from 100-245 Mbps.
Choose T-Mobile If:
- You're a student wanting easy, portable internet
- You want a flat rate with no contract
Avoid T-Mobile If:
- You need consistently fast speeds for large households
- Low latency gaming is your priority
College Station Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | Optimum | AT&T | Frontier | T-Mobile 5G | Rise Broadband |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100 Mbps | - | - | - | $40-50/mo | $25/mo |
| 300 Mbps | $40/mo | $55/mo | - | - | - |
| 500 Mbps | $60/mo | $65/mo | $50/mo | - | - |
| 1 Gbps | $80/mo | $80/mo | $70/mo | - | - |
How Much Speed Do You Need?
- Solo student: 100-300 Mbps for streaming, Zoom, and coursework
- Shared house (3-5): 500 Mbps for multiple users and devices
- Family + remote work: 1 Gbps for demanding applications
Learn more in our internet speed guide.
Internet Service in College Station: Local Overview
- Population: 120,511
- CBSA: 17780 (College Station-Bryan)
- Providers: 10 total (fiber, cable, 5G, fixed wireless, DSL, satellite)
College Station's internet market is shaped by Texas A&M University, which brings a large student population with high demand for reliable, affordable broadband. Optimum (formerly Suddenlink) is the dominant cable provider, while Rise Broadband and Frontier serve surrounding areas with fixed wireless and fiber.
Metronet has been building out pure fiber in College Station, adding competition that benefits all residents. AT&T's fiber footprint covers about a third of the city, particularly newer developments along Highway 6.
Internet by College Station Neighborhood
- Northgate/Campus Area: Optimum cable dominant; T-Mobile 5G strong
- South College Station/Hwy 6: AT&T Fiber and Optimum available
- Wellborn/FM 2154: Rise Broadband primary; Optimum expanding
- Rock Prairie/Pebble Creek: Optimum cable and Metronet fiber
Frequently Asked Questions About College Station Internet
What is the best internet provider in College Station?
Optimum is the best wired provider at 67% coverage with speeds up to 8 Gbps. Rise Broadband has the widest fixed wireless coverage at 61%.
What internet is best for Texas A&M students?
T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/month is ideal for students wanting no-contract, portable service. Rise Broadband at $25/month is the budget option.
Is fiber internet available in College Station?
Yes. Optimum fiber/cable covers 67%, Metronet pure fiber reaches 20%, AT&T Fiber is at 32%, and Frontier Fiber covers 22%.
How much does internet cost in College Station?
Plans start at $25/month for Rise Broadband and range to $120/month for Starlink. Most pay $40-80/month for 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
Is 5G home internet available in College Station?
Yes. T-Mobile 5G covers about 53% at $40-50/month. Verizon 5G Home reaches about 25% of addresses.
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 College Station Households
The speed you need in College Station 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 College Station 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.