Best Internet Providers In Bakersfield, CA

• AT&T: Best Nationwide Coverage
• T-Mobile: Best Mobile Internet
• Verizon Fios: Best Starting Plan Costs
• Spectrum: Best 5G Internet
• HughesNet: Best Rural Coverage

Forbes Home identifies AT&T as the standout internet service provider (ISP) in Bakersfield for 2025. This provider offers download speeds of up to 500 Mbps and reasonable monthly pricing starting nationally at $55 per month, making it a leading selection. AT&T also offers the best nationwide coverage around, so it’s a competitive option if you travel frequently and use your mobile device often.

Choosing the right internet provider in Bakersfield can be a daunting task given the many available options. To help you choose, here’s what you need to know about the premier internet providers that can best meet your connectivity needs.

Verizon Fios is the most budget-friendly internet provider in Bakersfield, with plans starting nationally from $25 per month. T-Mobile, Spectrum and HughesNet are also sensible options for low-cost internet plans. Based on national price plans and cost of living data, you can expect to pay as little as $26 per month for low-cost internet in Bakersfield.

Keep in mind that these are the average monthly costs for internet, and internet service in Bakersfield depends on a variety of factors including plans, download and upload speeds, connection types and your area’s average prices. Below are some of the cheapest internet providers in Bakersfield for your budget, including their average price per month.

PROVIDER	NATIONAL BASE PRICE	DOWNLOAD SPEED	AVAILABILITY
Verizon Fios	$25	300 Mbps	36%
T-Mobile	$30	33 Mbps	66%
Spectrum	$50	300 Mbps	92%
HughesNet	$50	50 Mbps	100%
AT&T	$55	10 Mbps	77%

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In Bakersfield, the premier providers of rapid internet are Verizon Fios, T-Mobile and Spectrum. Leading the pack, Verizon Fios delivers quick internet plans with speeds reaching up to 1,000 Mbps.

Download speed is an essential consideration for choosing your internet provider, especially if your online activities include extensive remote working. These activities demand robust bandwidth, and AT&T caters precisely to such high-speed requirements.

For those in Bakersfield whose internet use is more moderate, such as browsing, slower and more affordable plans might suffice. However, for power users and digital professionals, opting for the fastest available speeds can significantly enhance the online experience.

Consider that the averages in this section and in the below table are just that—averages. Speeds in Bakersfield can depend on a variety of factors, so it’s crucial that you check with each potential internet provider to confirm the speeds your specific plan offers in your area.

Explore our list of the fastest internet providers in Bakersfield, including maximum available download speeds and the starting cost for each provider’s plan, to find the service that best aligns with your internet usage and budgetary needs.

PROVIDER	FASTEST DOWNLOAD SPEED	BASE NATIONAL PRICE	AVAILABILITY IN BAKERSFIELD
Verizon Fios	1,000 Mbps	$25	36%
T-Mobile	1,000 Mbps	$30	66%
Spectrum	1,000 Mbps	$50	92%
AT&T	500 Mbps	$55	77%
HughesNet	50 Mbps	$50	100%

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Monthly internet fees and startup costs don’t have to break the bank. With some research, you can find deals or promotions for certain ISPs in Bakersfield. In fact, most companies even have discounts for their new or most popular internet plans, helping you save money.

Some of the offered promotions will be specifically for certain demographics, like students, military members or new residential customers. But a quick review of a few ISP websites will give you more information.

Internet Connection Types Available in Bakersfield

Internet Speeds Available in Bakersfield

In Bakersfield, 93% of people have access to internet speeds of 25 Mbps, which is typically the minimum to stream video, game online or remotely work. When selecting your plan, keep in mind that speeds of 3 Mbps are usually the bare minimum if you want to shop online or send emails.

Internet Survey Highlights How Residents Are Using Internet

According to the 2025 Forbes Home internet survey, a whopping 86% of those surveyed said that they subscribe to multiple streaming services on a monthly basis. Among those who have chosen streaming services over traditional cable, over half reported sharing their accounts with others.

Based on the survey, respondents have, on average, 2.8 streaming service subscriptions. Also, almost 10% of respondents reported having memberships for more than five streaming services simultaneously. With that, 50% of respondents reported paying for services and platforms they rarely or never utilize.

The survey also displayed that over 50% of streaming subscribers were prompted to sign up for a service primarily so they could access a specific show or segment. On average, individuals in the United States spend around $46 per month on their streaming subscriptions.

Find additional interesting insights below:

• Surveyed individuals reported spending 3.1 hours a day streaming media.
• Surveyed individuals said that Hulu’s interface is the platform they least enjoy.
• 81% reported experiencing lags in internet that directly impact their streaming quality.

It can be difficult to identify which internet company is best for your home in Bakersfield. But by evaluating what aspects are most important to you, you can nail your choices and make your decision simpler. Depending on your wants and needs, some factors may be more important than others. For example, if budget is most important to you, you should narrow your search to the lowest-priced plans between companies. At the same time, if you live deep in the country, you might closely evaluate companies that service rural areas.

Here are a handful of other factors you should assess when selecting the best internet company for you:

Speed

Depending on how frequently you use your internet, and what you use it for, the upload and download speeds offered by each company may be more important to you than other factors. A download speed of 1 GB per second is a typical bar among ISPs for streaming on multiple smart devices, but if you’re an avid gamer or streamer, you may need to look for high-speed internet plans that offer more than that.

Reliability

Having a reliable internet connection is crucial when you work from home and participate in daily video conferencing calls. The ISP you select will significantly affect your internet experience, so ensure that the company has a reputation for consistent service and customer contentment. Also, we recommend choosing a company that offers various customer support options, such as live chat and phone assistance, as a backup.

Cost

If you prioritize low-cost options, the price of your internet plan can significantly impact your decision. Internet plans can vary in rates, ranging from as low as $30 per month to as much as $300 per month for higher-tier plans. Your monthly rate will depend on your chosen plan and location. If you live in a rural area that’s challenging to service, you may see higher rates than in high-traffic areas.

Internet Availability

Selecting an internet service provider that services your location and neighborhood in Bakersfield is crucial, as it will narrow down your list of potential providers. Depending on your area, you may have only a few companies to compare, or you may have many to choose from. To further pare down your search, consider each company’s key differentiating aspects and evaluate them accordingly.

Bundling

If you’re thinking about bundling your internet, phone and cable services, it’s crucial to evaluate the options offered by each company carefully. Assess the pricing and what’s included in each provider’s bundle package, and select the one that best suits your needs.

Data Caps

Some service providers have monthly data caps, which may cause your speeds to slow down or your connection to be throttled after reaching your limit. While this doesn’t mean you’ll entirely lose service, it’s crucial to read the details of each provider’s offerings as some may have clearly defined data limits while others are less obviously laid out.

Contracts

Internet service providers may not always require a contract. However, we recommend customers ask about this factor early on when talking to potential providers to avoid any confusion. Contracts may have hidden fees, such as early termination fees, that can be expensive if not read thoroughly, and breaking these contracts can be challenging. To dodge any inconvenience, clarify whether the provider requires a contract and read the fine print carefully.

Connection Type

To pare down your list of promising internet service providers, it’s important to review the connection type you’d prefer. If you have a specific type in mind, such as fiber, cable, wireless, satellite or 5G, you can eliminate any providers that don’t offer it. Fortunately, many companies offer a wide range of connection types, so you’ll find one that meets your requirements.

To determine the best internet provider rankings in Bakersfield, the Forbes Home editorial team compared 22 major internet providers across 39 different metrics such as average monthly cost, download speed and fiber availability.

You can find out more about how Forbes Home rates internet providers in our detailed methodology page.