If you live in Texas and need internet service then you’re in luck. I’ve created a guide for Texans listing some of the most popular internet service providers, fastest cities, ISPs and internet usage laws that you should be aware of. All this information can be found below.
Find the Best Internet Service Provider in Your Area of Texas
Independent / Local Texas Internet Service Providers
If you’d rather support your local service provider, here are a few to look into.
- CiT Broadband – CiT provides internet service to northern Texas, outside of the Fort Worth/Dallas area. Available connections include DSL with speeds of 1.5 to 6 Mbps and prices from $30 to $80 per month for 12 months. Modems are $40. Fixed wireless is available, too, and plans are $40 to $70 per month for 12 months. Installation is $299 to $149 (bigger the package, the less you pay for installation).
- Starnet Online Systems – Starnet provides service to NE Texas, outside of Dallas/Fort Worth. They provide fixed wireless service for $40 per month and a $250 installation fee.
- SkyBeam – SkyBeam provides fixed wireless service to Texas (and a few other neighboring states). $50-$60 per month is the normal price for 3/1 Mbps or 5/2 Mbps (more expensive) speeds. There are no contracts.
- Grande Communications – Grande Communication’s prices start at $27 and 3 Mbps, and depending on where you need service speeds are as high as 110 Mbps for $110 per month.
Other local/independent internet service providers in Texas can be found here.
Texas Internet Connections and Coverage
According to Net Index Texas is one of the slowest states with an average speed of 10.84 Mbps, putting them in 37th overall in the country. Texas is slower than the country average, too, which is 12.34 Mbps.
Please keep in mind that these averages change regularly. To see the most current speeds for Texas internet, as well as the fastest cities and ISPs, please visit the Texas Net Index page.
Here are the top 5 cities with fast internet:
- Haslet – 24.88 Mbps
- Southlake – 22.35 Mbps
- Keller – 20.60 Mbps
- Justin – 20.37 Mbps
- Flower Mount – 20.34 Mbps
Here are the top 5 internet service providers who have the fastest internet:
- Charter Communications
- Comcast
- Grande Communications
- Verizon Internet
- Cable One
Mobile 3G Internet Connections for Texans
Mobile 3G coverage in Texas will be pretty good, for the most part.
Clear Wireless: Clear offers service primarily in the big cities including San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Dallas, Houston, Amarillo and Fort Worth. A few neighboring cities/towns also have coverage.
Verizon: Verizon has good coverage everywhere, with the exception of south west Texas – directly west of San Antonio (and slightly NW of there). No real rhyme or reason why.
AT&T: AT&T has similar coverage to Verizon, although the coverage is a little bit better west of San Antonio. There is some poor/non-existent coverage far west, though.
Recommended Internet Connection for Texans
Texans can’t really go wrong with any option, as long as it’s provided in their area. Cable internet should work well, and there are plenty of fixed wireless providers / connections if you’d prefer that route. Just be prepared to pay a good amount ($300-ish) for installation.
3G is a good option too if you’re always on the go. Remember that coverage is sparse on the west, south west end of Texas.
Texas Internet Usage Laws
Texas has laws against people who access private wireless networks without the owner’s consent. Consequences are usually minor, just a misdemeanor. However, it ultimately comes down to the monetary value of the service used. Anything that exceeds $1500 can be a felony with possible jail time.
Network owners have a responsibility, too. They need to keep their networks locked. It’s ok to run an unsecured network, but other uses cannot be able to access it. The punishment is the same as people who steal internet access.