Where are the best internet providers in Tucson?
Tucson is home to some of the top internet service providers, including T-Mobile, Verizon, and CenturyLink. Here are CNET's picks for the best internet providers in Tucson. Xfinity. Xfinity offers several plans, including a cheap option that delivers speeds of up to 1,200 megabits per second for just $20 per month. The most popular internet connection today is fiber optic, which is available in Tucson through Quantum Fiber, but it's still not widely available in the city. Tucson will have more cable and fixed wireless connections as its fiber network grows.
Tucson may have been the setting for an old-school Western full of tumbleweeds and saloons, but the real city is now slick and has plenty of high-speed internet options. Cox Communications has the fastest plans in the area, costing $150 per month for download speeds of up to 2,000Mbps. If you're looking for the most affordable service, check out Xfinity's Connect plan for $20 per month.
CNET recommends the best internet service in Tucson across several categories, considering speed, pricing, customer service, and overall value. Our evaluations include reference to a proprietary database built over many years of reviewing Internet services. Verify against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. He also carefully reads the provider's terms and conditions, and if necessary, he calls the ISP to find out more.
While we strive to find the most up-to-date and accurate information, there are some limitations to our process that you should be aware of. Price and speed data is subject to change. Certain addresses may have different tiers of service, and monthly costs may vary even within the same city. The best way to identify a particular option is to enter the address on the provider's website.
Additionally, the prices, speeds, and other information listed on the provider cards above and below may differ from what we find in our research. The card displays the full range of prices and speeds from providers across the United States, according to a database of plan information provided directly by your ISP. At the same time, the text is specific to what is available in Tucson. The prices referenced within the body of this article are based on our research and include discounts for setting up automatic monthly payments, an industry standard service. Discounts and promotions may also be available when you sign a term contract or bundle multiple services.
For more information on how we vet internet providers, please see our full methodology page.
Best Internet in Tucson, Arizona in 2024
75 – 2,000 Mbps
$20 – $120 per month
Our view – Xfinity is a comprehensive ISP with a variety of speeds at affordable prices.
75 – 2,000 Mbps
$20 – $120 per month
200～8,000 Mbps
$30 – $165 per month
Our view – CenturyLink's sister service, Quantum Fiber, offers lightning-fast speeds in Tucson that no other ISP can match.
200～8,000 Mbps
$30 – $165 per month
fixed wireless
72～245 Mbps
$60 per month
Our view – T-Mobile's reliable network throughout Tucson and perks for mobile customers make it one of our favorite ISPs.
fixed wireless
72～245 Mbps
$60 per month
Tucson internet provider comparison
| provider | internet technology | Monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment costs | data limit | contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| century link | DSL | $50 | 20~100Mbps | Modem/router rental fee is $15 (optional) | none | none | 6.7 |
| cox communications | cable | $50-$150 | 100～2,000Mbps | none | 1.25TB | none | 6.2 |
| quantum fiber | fiber | $50-$75 | 500-940Mbps | none | none | none | 6.7 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | fixed wireless | $60 ($40 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | none | none | none | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet | fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-45 on eligible Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50～1,000Mbps | none | none | none | 7.2 |
| Xfinity | cable | $20 – $80 | 75-1,200Mbps | $15 (optional) | 1.2TB | 1 year for some plans | 7 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other internet providers available in Tucson
- century link: CenturyLink is owned by the same parent company, Lumen, as Quantum Fiber and operates on nearly the same network, running DSL services throughout Tucson. The company's limited 20-100Mbps plan is available for $50 per month, which does not include an additional $15 per month equipment rental fee.
- cox communications: Cox Communications offers cable service in Tucson with speeds ranging from 100Mbps to 2Gbps. It operates on a hybrid fiber-coax network, so speeds vary, but prices start at $50 per month. The customer does not have to deal with any contracts, but the data limit will be 1.25 TB for him.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Verizon's 5G home internet service is available in about 27% of Tucson, with speeds ranging from 50Mbps to 1,000Mbps. Pricing starts at $50 per month, but eligible mobile customers can pay as little as $35 per month with a qualifying phone plan.
- satellite internet: Tucson has several options for satellite service: Viasat, Starlink, and Hughesnet. For Hughesnet, prices start at $50 for 50Mbps. With Viasat, prices start at $65 per month for 25Mbps. Starlink prices start at $90 and speeds reach 100Mbps. With each ISP, you'll be locked into a contract in addition to paying a monthly equipment fee (with the exception of Starlink, which is a bit more flexible). Depending on what kind of deal you originally signed, the price may increase after just a few months.
Cheap Internet Options in Tucson
The average starting price for internet service in Tucson is just under $46 per month. Most providers offer plans for $50 per month, but two providers offer plans for less.
Xfinity offers the cheapest plan you can find in Tucson with a $20/month plan with download speeds of 75Mbps. Some Tucson residents find even lower costs through the Affordable Connections program, which is offered for low-income housing.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Tucson?
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet sales and promotions in Tucson
The best internet deals and top promotions in Tucson depend on the discounts available during the period. Most sales have a short shelf life, but we check frequently for the latest offers.
Tucson internet providers like Xfinity and Cox may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, many companies, including Quantum Fiber and Verizon, have the same standard rates throughout the year.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide to the best internet deals.
Photo by Barry Winiker/Getty Images
What is the broadband speed in Tucson?
recently tucson speed test, Cox came out on top in terms of expected download speeds, followed closely by Xfinity. and, Latest Ookla data Across the United States, Tucson ranked 76th overall in median download speed.
Quantum Fiber, Cox Communications, Verizon, and Xfinity all offer high-speed gigabit plans in Tucson, with Cox offering the fastest speeds at 2,000Mbps for $150 per month.
Fastest Internet Plans in Tucson
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connectivity plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that supports video conferencing, streaming video, and gaming, you'll enjoy a better experience with a more robust connection. Here is an overview of recommended minimum download speeds for various applications. According to the FCC. Please note that these are just guidelines and internet speed, service and performance will vary depending on connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide to the internet speed you actually need.
- At 0-5Mbps, you can tackle basic tasks like browsing the Internet, sending and receiving emails, and streaming low-quality videos.
- 5-40Mbps allows for higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40-100Mbps provides a single user with enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern work-from-home, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100-500Mbps allows one or two users to simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- 500-1,000Mbps allows three or more users to participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET chooses the best internet providers in Tucson
There are many Internet service providers and they vary by region. Unlike modern smartphones, laptops, routers, and kitchen tools, it's impractical to personally test every ISP in a particular city. So what is our approach? We start by researching pricing, availability, and speed information using our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission. FCC.gov.
But that's not the end. We went to the FCC's website and checked the data to ensure we considered all ISPs serving the area. Also, enter your local address on the provider's website to find specific options for residents. Consult sources such as the US Customer Satisfaction Index and his JD Power to rate how satisfied customers are with their ISP's service. ISP plans and prices may change frequently. All information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once you have this localized information, ask three main questions:
- Does your provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting value for their money?
- Are your customers satisfied with your service?
The answers to these questions are often layered and complex, but the provider that comes closest to a “yes” to all three is recommended. When choosing the cheapest internet service, look for the plan with the lowest monthly fee, although you also consider factors such as markups, equipment fees, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively easy. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider actual speed data from sources such as: Okura and FCC report.
To find out more about our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.
What are your final thoughts on internet providers in Tucson?
We rate Xfinity as the best choice in Tucson, but your location will determine which ISP is best for you. Speeds and providers vary by city and surrounding area, so you'll need to connect your location to find the best option.
Tucson Internet Provider Frequently Asked Questions
Is fiber internet available in Tucson?
Just over 13% of Tucson households have access to fiber internet, primarily through quantum fiber. Prices range from $50 to $75 per month, and the speed plans offered include 500 Mbps and 940 Mbps.
Where is the cheapest internet provider in Tucson?
Xfinity offers the cheapest internet in Tucson with its Connect plan. For $20 per month, a customer can get download speeds of 75Mbps.
Which is better: CenturyLink or Xfinity?
CenturyLink and Xfinity are both very reliable options for internet service. In Tucson, CenturyLink operates his DSL and fiber, and Xfinity operates his cable. I generally rate CenturyLink over Xfinity, but only if you have access to CenturyLink's fiber plan. If fiber service is not available from CenturyLink (or its other brand, Quantum Fiber), choose Xfinity over CenturyLink for Tucson residents.
