Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Expect to pay around $50 monthly for an entry-level home internet plan in San Bernardino. That’s typical of what you’ll find in the broader Inland Empire area. Competition can mean better prices for some residents. Both Frontier and Spectrum may run deals that are lower than standard pricing. Spectrum may offer its 500Mbps plan for as low as $40 per month in areas where it’s competing with Frontier. Frontier may also offer a special deal to lower its 500Mbps tier to $45 per month for some addresses.
Another way to save on home internet is to bundle a T-Mobile or Verizon 5G plan with an eligible phone plan. That can drop your home internet monthly price to as low as $35-$40.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
---|---|---|---|
Spectrum Internet 100 Read full review | $30 | 100mbps | Modem free; $10 for router (optional) |
Frontier Fiber 500 Read full review | $45 | 500Mbps | None |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $60 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 100Mbps | None |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $60 ($40 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How many members of your household use the internet?
The best internet deals and top promotions in San Bernardino depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
San Bernardino internet providers, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including AT&T 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.
If only the fastest internet will do, turn to Frontier and its speeds of up to 5,000Mbps. The fiber ISP clocks in as San Bernardino’s fastest provider in a recent Ookla speed test report. Overall, San Bernardino fares well with a median fixed internet download speed of just over 261Mbps. The city edges out some of its neighbors. Fontana logs a 246Mbps median speed, while Redlands comes in at 239Mbps and Riverside at 216Mbps.
Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Frontier Fiber 5 Gig Read full review | $130 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Frontier Fiber 2 Gig Read full review | $100 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Frontier Fiber 1 Gig Read full review | $65 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review | $70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | 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 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. So what's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary pricing, availability and speed database that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from FCC.gov.
But 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:
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, though 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 page on how we test ISPs.
Most residents of San Bernardino will be weighing either Spectrum or Frontier as a broadband provider. Spectrum has wider coverage across the city, but Frontier’s fiber network offers much faster top download speeds alongside symmetrical upload speeds. Prices are best in the places where the two ISPs compete with each other. While T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T all offer 5G home internet in some parts of town, you’ll find faster top speeds with cable or fiber.
What is the cheapest internet provider in San Bernardino?
Most San Bernardino home internet plans start at $50 or $55 per month, but residents should watch for deals where Spectrum and Frontier compete. You may find a Spectrum 500Mbps plan with a $50 per month introductory price. There's also a 100Mbps Spectrum plan available for $30 in some parts of San Bernardino, which is the cheapest option and may work for casual internet users who don't need a lot of speed.
Which internet provider in San Bernardino offers the fastest plan?
Frontier runs away with the speed crown in San Bernardino. The ISP tops out with a symmetrical 5-gig fiber plan for $130 per month. Frontier also offers a 2-gig tier for $100 per month.
Is fiber internet available in San Bernardino?
Frontier is the fiber internet provider for San Bernardino. It’s available across much of the central and northern areas of the city. With speeds up to 5 gigs and reasonable plan terms, Frontier is an ISP worth considering.
What internet provider has the best coverage in San Bernardino?
Spectrum reigns when it comes to sheer coverage across San Bernardino. The cable ISP reaches nearly 90% of homes, according to the FCC. The next closest is Frontier.
Source: cnet.com