Source: CNET analysis of provider data
There are several good options for cheap internet in Long Beach. Spectrum has three plans under $50 a month, but both will cost twice as much after 24 months. Frontier Fiber doesn’t have scheduled price increases like Frontier, but your price isn’t necessarily locked in, either. T-Mobile is the only ISP in Long Beach that offers that perk: Your price will stay the same for as long as you maintain service.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
The best internet deals and the top promotions in Long Beach depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Long Beach internet providers such as Verizon may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including Frontier, T-Mobile Home Internet and Spectrum, run the same standard pricing year-round.
How many members of your household use the internet?
For a more extensive list of deals and promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Long Beach ranks 51st out of the 100 most populated cities in the US for internet speed, according to Ookla speed test results. Residents receive median download speeds of 232Mbps and upload speeds of nearly 40Mbps. That’s faster than Anaheim, San Diego and Los Angeles but slower than Santa Ana, San Bernardino and Irvine.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
AT&T Internet 5 Gig Speed Read full review | $255 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Frontier Fiber 5 Gig Read full review | $155 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
AT&T Fiber 2 Gig Speed Read full review | $155 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Frontier Fiber 2 Gig Read full review | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
Frontier Fiber 1 Gig Read full review | $60 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. What's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
This guide leverages an in-house artificial intelligence tool called RAMP, which is trained on our own writing and uses our database to generate content about specific internet service providers that our writers can use in determining and presenting our picks for a given guide. Check CNET’s AI policy for more information about how our teams use (and don’t use) AI tools.
Because our database is not exhaustive, we go to the FCC's website to check the primary data for ourselves and make sure we're considering every ISP that provides service in an area. Plans and prices also vary by location, so we input local addresses on provider websites to find the specific options available to residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of our prepublication fact-check.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, you can visit our how we test ISPs page.
Long Beach residents have a few good home internet options to choose from. Fiber internet is available to 2 in 3 residents, almost entirely from Frontier Fiber. Fortunately, Frontier’s plans start at just $30 a month, far less than you’d usually pay for the speed it provides. Spectrum offers cable internet to most of Long Beach, and its plans are even cheaper than Frontier’s, but be prepared for your bill to double in the third year. If you don’t want to deal with these headaches, T-Mobile Home Internet guarantees it will never raise your price.
What is the best internet service provider in Long Beach?
Frontier Fiber is the best internet provider in Long Beach, with prices starting at just $30 a month and symmetrical upload and download speeds. There are no data caps, equipment fees or contracts required with Frontier.
Is fiber internet available in Long Beach?
Yes, fiber internet is available to 69% of Long Beach residents, according to FCC data, primarily through Frontier.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Long Beach?
Frontier Fiber is the cheapest internet provider in Long Beach, with prices ranging from $30 to $155 a month. After two years, the price increases.
Which internet provider in Long Beach offers the fastest plan?
Frontier Fiber offers the fastest plan in Long Beach, with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 5,000Mbps.
Source: cnet.com