Internet Providers in Costa Mesa, CA

If you’re shopping for the internet in Costa Mesa, California, and deciding between the various internet providers for your home or business, look no further. We’ve broken down the different internet deals, plans, pricing, and more in this comprehensive Internet Buyer’s Guide to make your search easier.

What type of internet is available in Costa Mesa?

There are several types of internet that are available in Costa Mesa: Cable, DSL, Fiber, Fixed Wireless, and Satellite.

• DSL: Perfect for those who plan to use a limited amount of internet, DSL is one of the less expensive internet options as it uses telephone lines to supply its service.
• Cable: Cable internet provides service by using cable cords from power cable TV. Although only a limited number of providers in Costa Mesa offer cable—such as Spectrum—download speeds tend to be faster than DSL.
• Fiber-Optic: By using strands of glass to provide internet service, fiber-optic is faster than both cable and DSL, and is the fastest option for internet in Costa Mesa.
• 5G Home Internet: The fastest wireless internet option on the market is 5G home internet. This affordable wireless alternative offers speeds that rival those of wired connections.
• Fixed Wireless: Only one internet provider offers fixed wireless in Costa Mesa, which is AT&T. This option has slower download speeds and is also more expensive than it’s other internet-only plans.
• Satellite: With a dish installed on the outside of your home, usually on a roof or balcony, satellite internet provides service by receiving data from a satellite. Overall, this tends to be a more expensive option with slower download speeds.

When shopping for the internet for your home or business in Costa Mesa, it’s important to remember that not all internet types listed above are available in all areas.

How do I find the cheapest internet option in Costa Mesa?

There are a total of 27 internet providers in Costa Mesa, 8 of which are residential providers and 19 are business providers—each with various options for pricing and speeds for their internet plans. Residential customers can depend on Spectrum, AT&T Internet and AT&T Fiber for the lowest-priced plans in Costa Mesa.

How Much Internet Speed Do I Need In Costa Mesa?

With more than 100,000 people living in Costa Mesa, multiple colleges, and many business owners, there is a high demand for internet providers that offer internet plans with fast speeds at a reasonable price. However, this need may vary among residents based on their internet usage. For example, it may not make sense for someone who is a light internet user to purchase a plan with the fastest speeds at a high price point.

Light internet users are defined as someone who checks emails and browses the internet. This person may only need internet speeds of around 25 Mbps. Someone who is an avid gamer or streams 4K video on several devices will require higher download speeds of 100 Mbps or more. Whereas lifestyle needs are just one aspect to keep in mind, also remember that household size plays into which speeds you require as well. Large households of power internet users—competitive gamers and heavy streamers—are recommended speeds up to 1000 Mbps for quality broadband service/s.

Below are the recommended download speeds based on frequent internet activities and the residential providers in Costa Mesa that offer these speeds.

How do I find the fastest internet in Costa Mesa?

Using a fiber-optic network, AT&T Fiber and Spectrum currently offer some of the fastest internet speeds of up to 5000 Mbps. There are several providers in Costa Mesa that offer speeds from 940 Mbps up to 1000 Mbps. Be sure to check and see if these plans are available in your area.

Should I bundle TV or phone service in Costa Mesa?

Many internet providers offer bundle and triple play deals in Costa Mesa, including Spectrum, Viasat Internet, and HughesNet. Whether you’re looking to bundle your internet with TV and/or phone, there are various options for you to choose from at several price points. However, take into consideration the needs of your household or business. If you decide you only want internet service, all providers in Costa Mesa offer standalone internet plans.

Bundled Cable Plans and Pricing in Costa Mesa

How can I compare the major internet providers in Costa Mesa?

Although searching for a new internet provider that fits your needs can be stressful, think about these key factors and questions while researching your options.

• Price: It’s important to start your research with a monthly payment in mind that fits your budget. Divide up your monthly income with current bills to have a better understanding of the number you’re comfortable with.
• Speed: Think of how much internet your business or household uses and the type of frequent internet activities. Whether it’s light browsing or heavy streaming, this can give you an idea of the speeds you’ll require.
• Data Caps: Check your recent bills with your current internet provider to see how much data you’ve used. This will help you determine what type of data caps you’ll need.
• Contracts: Although most providers in Costa Mesa require a one-year contract, some, including Spectrum, offer contract-free plans.

What do I need to keep in mind when moving to Costa Mesa?

Whether you’re starting out at Orange Coast College or opening a local boutique shop at The Lab Anti-Mall, Costa Mesa’s rich art scenes and flourishing foodie culture with a hipster flair appeals to a diverse group of people. Before officially moving, however, there are several key broadband components to think of when switching over from one internet provider to another.

If you’re happy with your current internet provider, look into where they provide coverage in Costa Mesa. If they are available in the area you’re moving to, it may be more cost effective to stay with them if you’re able to transfer your service. If it’s not able to transfer, then you most likely will need to pay the early termination fee (ETF) stated in your contract.

Although early termination fees can be frustrating, they’re unfortunately common among all internet providers. In Costa Mesa, early termination fees can range from $0-400 depending on your plan and provider. Be sure to thoroughly read through your contract so you can know what to expect if you anticipate that you’ll need to break your agreement before it’s up.

In fact, keep in mind the length of the contract you’ll be signing. Most internet providers in Costa Mesa require a minimum of a 1-year contract but contract lengths can range anywhere from 0-2 years. However, some providers including Spectrum offer contract-free internet plan options if that is a better fit for your household or business.

Installation Fees in Costa Mesa

When selecting a new internet service, you’ll most likely need to pay an installation fee, whether it’s for professional or self-installation. Some internet providers may waive the fee for certain plans or during promotional periods. Otherwise, the price for professional installation can range from $0 to $99 in Costa Mesa.

How much data do you need for your home or business internet in Costa Mesa?

If you own a business, are a student, have a household with a family, or are a heavy gamer in Costa Mesa, you may want to look into internet plans that either have high data caps or offer unlimited data. For plans with unlimited data, you can look into Spectrum and Viasat Internet. If having a high data cap fits your needs, AT&T Internet and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet offer 1 TB data caps for their internet-only plans.

What are the most-connected neighborhoods in Costa Mesa?

The areas with three or more internet providers available in Costa Mesa are Westside Costa Mesa and Eastside Costa Mesa. Most areas in Costa Mesa, in fact, have an average of 2-3 internet providers available, typically DSL, fiber, or cable. Residents in these areas can choose from Spectrum and AT&T Internet.

Internet Statistics for Costa Mesa, California

The city of Costa Mesa is the 94th most-connected city in California. It surpasses its neighboring cities including ahead of Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, and Corona Del Mar. With more than 25,512 students living in the area, high-speed internet is a necessity. Costa Mesa’s average download speed as a whole is 234.7 Mbps. Although most Costa Mesa residents are offered a variety of internet providers—Spectrum, AT&T Internet and T-Mobile 5G Home Internet having the largest coverage—there are approximately 2,000 people who do not have access to more than one wired internet provider.