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Best Internet Providers in Houston

Linsey Knerl on July 3, 2020

Have you just relocated to Houston? With so many of your daily activities requiring high-speed internet service, it’s important to pick the right plan from day one. But how can you determine which are the best internet providers in Houston, and which one is right for you? The answer will depend on how you use the service and what your budget looks like.

Before you unpack your next moving box, consider this handy guide to service providers.

Dubbed “the future of internet” by experts, 5G is a very powerful data option that will be available in all major cities soon. AT&T is currently best poised to offer this to Houston residents.

Top Internet Services in Houston

Your street address will determine what services are available to you, but the majority of Houston residents have access to the following service types:

• • • Fiber: For the fastest internet with the most uptime, Fiber is suggested. With data capabilities of 1GB (1-10 times that of cable or DSL), it’s affordable for those who can access it. Providers include AT&T and Frontier.
    • DSL: A digital subscriber line works similarly to your standard phone service. Providers include AT&T and Frontier.
    • Cable: If your TV is connected to cable services through a coaxial cable, you’re using cable service. This is common for those who bundle traditional cable with internet. Providers include Xfinity and Spectrum.
    • Satellite: This service is reserved for those in very rural areas outside of Houston who may not have access to other options. Providers include HughesNet and ViaSat.
    • 5G: Dubbed “the future of internet” by experts, 5G is a very powerful data option that will be available in all major cities soon. AT&T is currently best poised to offer this to Houston residents.

Best Internet Providers in Houston

Once you know how you’ll use your service, you can start shopping around for providers. Right now, AT&T is one of the biggest players in the industry, with both standard DSL and fiber capabilities in many neighborhoods. It offers Houston residents IP-based services for a variety of uses, with speeds up to 100 Mbps. That’s enough to stream HD video and share large work files. Data caps are generous, with a 1TB limit for most households. You’ll also get access to the AT&T hot spot network, which lets you connect wirelessly around the city without using any data from your plan!

Another top contender is Xfinity, a cable-only provider. Because speeds range from 25 Mbps to 1000 Mbps, it’s important to choose the plan that best fits your needs. This provider is ideal for those who want to subscribe to traditional cable TV programming, since the best value comes from bundling internet and TV. If you’re looking to add a traditional landline as well, it’s an even sweeter deal.

How Much Speed Do I Need?

If you aren’t as concerned about bundling non-internet services, you’ll want to look primarily at the internet service to decide what company is right for you. The most obvious difference between providers is speed, data-caps, and price.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the speed you need for typical online activities:

• • • Web surfing, using social media, listening to podcasts, or streaming music uses the least data. Speeds of up to 5 Mbps are adequate.
    • Streaming HD movies, uploading large data files, working from home, or gaming online will take more bandwidth. Aim for at least 15 Mbps, but 20-30 Mbps will become standard for the best quality. Heavy users who need top speeds for gaming might want to consider the highest speeds and data caps available.

This guidance applies to just one internet user at a time. If you have multiple users streaming or using the internet, multiply the recommended data amount by the number of people in your household. Remember, whether you use DSL, fiber, or satellite, your internet works like a garden hose. There’s only so much coming in, and more users will split the stream and weaken what’s available.

What If I Reach My Data Limit?

Before settling on a service package, you should consider how data limits are handled by your provider. If you don’t use all your data, will it roll over? Are you charged a fee for exceeding your cap, or will speeds slow down as you approach it? Ask about what happens if you need more data and if doing so will extend your contract or forfeit discounts to raise your data limit.

With the right Houston internet provider at your service, you’ll be back to your favorite online activities in no time!

Home Sweet Home

You’ll be in Houston soon, kicking off a new chapter—don’t get caught without a connection. Check out the best options for internet providers in Houston that are available in your new neighborhood.

Want to avoid the hassle and wasted time spent individually going online or calling each internet provider available in your area? Use the free FindYourInternet shop-and-compare tool to easily search available offers at your home address.

Linsey Knerl

Linsey Knerl is an online/print journalist and corporate content writer with experience in small business, consumer tech, HR, senior health, and women’s health verticals. She is passionate about making even the most complex B2B and B2C concepts accessible for all readers. With an active social media following of over 22K on Twitter, she is committed to helping clients with all steps in the content creation cycle, from initial planning stages to promotion via social media. Linsey is also the social media chair of the ASJA.

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