Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
It’s hard to cover the broadband options of a state and give individual cities the attention they deserve. That’s why we also compile lists of the best internet providers in cities across the US, including those in New Mexico. We tackle details such as internet connection types, maximum speeds, cheapest providers and more. Check back later if you don’t find the city you’re looking for below. We’re working to add more cities every week.
Most ISPs kick off their New Mexico plans at around $40 to $50. There aren’t a lot of bargain basement internet plans in the state but look to Xfinity’s 150Mbps plan for $20 per month as one of the cheapest options. It’s an even better deal if you have your own equipment and can skip the $15-a-month gear rental. Just be ready for the price to increase once your introductory period expires. Verizon and T-Mobile offer good discounts on home internet when you bundle with an eligible phone plan.
Plan | Starting monthly price | Monthly equipment fee | Max download speed (Mbps) |
---|---|---|---|
Xfinity Connect Read full review | $20 | $15 (optional) | 150Mbps |
Xfinity Connect Read full review | $35 | $15 (optional) | 300Mbps |
Sparklight Read full review | $25 | $12.50 (optional) | 100Mbps |
Kinetic by Windstream fiber | $40 | None | 300Mbps |
TDS Telecom | $40 | $12 | 300Mbps |
Quantum Fiber | $50 | None | 500Mbps |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | None | 70Mbps |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($30 with eligible phone plans) | None | 245Mbps |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
The best internet deals and top promotions in New Mexico depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
New Mexico internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including CenturyLink, T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet, tend to run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
New Mexico didn’t fare well in a recent Ookla Speedtest.net ranking of state internet speeds. The Land of Enchantment landed in the 48th position with a median download speed of 125.75Mbps. Compare that to top-ranked Illinois at 187Mbps. Albuquerque, the state’s most populous city, logged a median fixed internet download speed of 179Mbps. Xfinity is the city’s fastest ISP. Speed test results can swing quite a bit depending on technology, internet equipment and network congestion, so your results may vary.
Plan | Starting price | Max download speeds (Mbps) | Max upload speeds (Mbps) | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Xfinity Gigabit X2 Read full review | $120 | 2,000Mbps | 200Mbps | Cable |
Xfinity Gigabit Extra Read full review | $85 | 1,200Mbps | 40Mbps | Cable |
Kinetic by Windstream | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | Fiber |
TDS Telecom | $75 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | Cable |
Xfinity Gigabit Read full review | $75 | 1,000Mbps | 100Mbps | Cable |
Quantum Fiber | $75 | 940Mbps | 940Mbps | Fiber |
Sparklight Read full review | $75 | 940Mbps | 50Mbps | Cable |
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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 FCC. 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.
It doesn't end there: We go to the FCC's website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for 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 publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but 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, visit our how we test ISPs page.
New Mexico can be a tricky place for broadband. Fiber is desirable but hard to find. That leaves most of the state weighing cable, DSL or fixed wireless options. Many rural areas are underserved. Of the widest spread ISPs, Xfinity offers the top speed with its 2,000Mbps plan. If you’re lucky enough to live within Quantum Fiber’s small footprint, that’s a much better option than the slower, more ubiquitous DSL. The state’s broadband landscape could receive a shakeup soon as fiber provider Vexus expands into Albuquerque, but rollout may be slow. Overall, New Mexico has a lot of room to improve its internet offerings.
What is the cheapest internet provider in New Mexico?
Xfinity’s introductory deal of $20 a month for 150Mbps service is the cheapest around. It’s not a forever deal. That price is good for a year, and you’ll need to either rent equipment for $15 a month or provide your own gear. Verizon or T-Mobile phone customers looking for a bargain can check into bundling plans for a substantial discount on home internet.
Which internet provider in New Mexico offers the fastest plan?
With a lack of fiber internet options across most of the state, residents can look to cable providers for the fastest widely available plans. Of those ISPs, Xfinity has the broadest coverage and offers speeds up to 2,000Mbps in limited areas.
Is fiber internet available in New Mexico?
Fiber is scarce in New Mexico. Leaco offers some fiber service in parts of southeastern New Mexico. Plateau Fiber reaches some smaller towns, including Roswell, Carlsbad and Tucumcari. Kinetic by Windstream has a small fiber footprint, notably in some areas of Truth or Consequences. Some newer neighborhoods in Albuquerque, Las Cruces and Santa Fe are in Quantum Fiber’s coverage zone. Fiber ISP Vexus announced plans to connect Albuquerque, but that network is still under construction.
What internet provider has the best coverage in New Mexico?
FCC data points to CenturyLink as the wired ISP with the best coverage across the Land of Enchantment. It reaches about 67% of homes. That’s mostly via CenturyLink’s older and slower DSL network, but you may find some tiny pockets of fiber, particularly in newer builds around Albuquerque. The next closest competitor is Xfinity, which reaches nearly 55% of homes.
Source: cnet.com