Bakersfield Internet Options Include Fiber and Wireless Plans

Bakersfield, California, presents a mixed scenario for internet users. On the positive side, every resident has access to plans that meet or exceed the Federal Communications Commission’s proposed minimum broadband speeds of 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload. In fact, Bakersfield ranks among the top 50 U.S. cities by median internet speed.

However, the variety of high-speed internet providers remains limited. AT&T Fiber, the fastest option, is available to roughly 20-25% of households, with plans starting at $55. Spectrum cable internet is often the sole provider in many neighborhoods, offering speeds from 100Mbps to 1,000Mbps but with relatively low upload speeds.

Wireless providers like T-Mobile and Verizon have entered the market with home internet plans priced between $50 and $70. These plans offer decent speeds but tend to fluctuate more than wired connections, which can impact reliability for activities like gaming or remote work.

A promising development is the Bakersfield City Council’s 2022 approval of a partnership with SiFi Networks to build a citywide fiber network along every street at no cost to taxpayers. This network will be leased to private ISPs, potentially offering residents ultra-fast 10,000Mbps speeds for about $60 per month—significantly cheaper than current ultra-high-speed plans.

However, this ambitious fiber project is still in the design phase with no clear timeline for construction, leaving Bakersfield residents to rely on existing providers for now.

Current Internet Providers and Plans in Bakersfield

The main players include:

• AT&T Fiber: Offers speeds from 300Mbps up to 5,000Mbps with no data caps or contracts. Pricing starts at $55, but ultra-high-speed plans can cost up to $245.
• Spectrum Cable: Available widely with speeds from 100Mbps to 1,000Mbps, but upload speeds max out at 35Mbps. Plans start at $30 but include a $10 monthly equipment fee.
• T-Mobile Home Internet: Fixed wireless plans ranging from 87Mbps to 415Mbps, priced between $50 and $70, with discounts available for mobile plan customers.
• Verizon 5G Home Internet: Wireless plans offering 50Mbps to 250Mbps speeds, priced similarly to T-Mobile, with discounts for bundled mobile plans.

For rural residents, smaller fixed wireless providers like Applied Technology Group and unWired Broadband offer options, though with lower speeds and less coverage.

Satellite internet options such as HughesNet and Viasat are available almost everywhere but come with high costs, slow speeds, and data caps. Starlink offers faster speeds but at a premium price.

Pricing and Value Considerations

Bakersfield internet prices generally range from $50 to $90 per month, aligning with national averages. Spectrum offers the cheapest entry point at $30 monthly but includes equipment fees. Wireless providers offer competitive pricing with discounts for mobile customers.

For users requiring ultra-fast speeds, AT&T Fiber’s 5,000Mbps plan is unmatched but comes at a premium price. Spectrum’s gigabit plans are more affordable but limited by lower upload speeds, which may affect activities like video conferencing or cloud backups.

How Providers Were Evaluated

CNET’s evaluation combines proprietary data on pricing, availability, and speeds with customer satisfaction scores from sources like the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power. Real-world speed tests and FCC data also inform their rankings.

The final recommendations focus on providers that balance speed, value, and customer satisfaction, with AT&T Fiber emerging as the top choice where available.

Looking Ahead for Bakersfield Internet

While Bakersfield residents currently face limited choices, the planned citywide fiber network could revolutionize internet access by providing affordable, ultra-high-speed connectivity to all neighborhoods. This initiative reflects a growing trend of municipal involvement to bridge digital divides and foster economic growth.

Until then, residents must navigate a landscape dominated by Spectrum and AT&T Fiber, supplemented by wireless options that offer flexibility but less consistent performance.