Dallas, Houston & Austin, Texas: “How to Find Cheap Internet in My Area!”

A high-speed internet service is more than critical these days. It is become a basic necessity that runs your everyday life. Working from home, virtual learning, banking and shopping, leisure time activities such as streaming video and gaming. All of that is tied up to a well performing internet connection. So before you can move to another city, one of the most crucial considerations is availability of cheap internet options.

Luckily, if your move is planned for the Dallas, Houston or Austin, Texas, you’ll be in good hands. Because these 3 Texan cities stand among the most well connected in the US, with affordable wired internet options widely available. Xfinity from Comcast, AT&T and Spectrum, all offer cheap and fast internet plans, and also the cheapest way to get Wi-Fi at home.

Cheap Internet Services in Dallas, TX

Famous for its opera, musicals, ballet, and symphony concerts, Dallas is one of the top 50 most connected cities in the Lone Star State. With 97% residents able to access multiple wireline services and 71% of the city covered by fiber optic networks, Dallas is served by over 20 residential internet providers.

While you see the entire variety of internet service types in the market, from DSL, Cable and Fiber to Satellite and Fixed Wireless, Spectrum rules this landscape with 100% availability in the city. AT&T competes pretty closely, with its IPBB network covering nearly 94% of Dallas, and its pure Fiber service available to over 68%. Both AT&T and Spectrum are not only the most widely available ISPs, but offer some of the most value-packed cheap internet plans for Dallas homes.

Cheap high-speed internet is also offered by the likes of SuddenLink, Windstream and Grande but network coverage from these service providers is too limited. You must be housed in the precise area where coverage is available from one of these ISPs in order to take advantage of their cheap internet service. But, then again, if that is the case, you must check out the best cheap internet offers from these ISPs. You’ won’t be disappointed. Grande in particular is a well-known name in Texas, given this is the only state where the ISP operates, albeit, its availability in Dallas remains restricted to a bare 0.2%.

Cheap Internet Options in Houston, TX

Houston stands tall with Greater Houston as one of the most popular metro-areas in America. It is famous for a lot of things, but it being the world capital of Space exploration is the most outstanding of all. From versatile restaurants and eateries to the Houston Grand Opera, the city is full of surprises.

When it comes to the digital aspect, the city is well-served by over 20 residential internet providers. And 95% residents have access to multiple wired options. The reach of fiber networks is not as widespread as in Dallas, but Houston is certainly among the US cities where over half the population is able to access fiber optic internet. Also, while in Dallas an estimated 31,000 consumers are limited to one wired option or none at all, in Houston the number of people unable to access wired internet is well above 100,000.

With that said however, the city boasts some of the biggest ISP names in the US industry. For instance AT&T and Xfinity from Comcast! CenturyLink and Windstream are also available to Houston residents as great options, but in very limited vicinities. CenturyLink provides its high-speed DSL service to just under 1% of the city, while Windstream covers 2.8% with its DSL and 0.7% with fiber optic network. Meaning you must be located in a particular neighborhood to benefit from their offers.

The Best Cheap Internet in Austin, TX

With its almost endless sunshine, in 2018 Austin was among the most popular for tech professionals moving in from the Silicon Valley. No surprise 99% of the city has access to multiple wired options from over 25 residential providers. Albeit, a good number of these offer Fixed Wireless. Austin also enjoys significant fiber coverage at 63%. As expected, in comparison to Dallas and Houston, statistics in Austin show that just under 1% of consumers are restricted to one wired option or none. Meaning there is high chance that you’ll be able to pick a wireline cheap internet service in Austin pretty much anywhere in the city.

As far as wired services, Spectrum has a near everywhere presence with 99.9% availability. AT&T IPBB (high-speed DSL) is available to nearly 98% while AT&T Fiber network covers 41% of Austin. Grande services are available to a little over 27% while Windstream reaches out to 5% of the city. Xfinity from Comcast and SuddenLink also have a small share in the Austin market, i.e. 0.6% and 0.1% respectively. So in order to benefit from cheap internet options from these ISPs with limited coverage, you must be living in just the right neighborhood. With that said, if you are housed in one such area, we’ll recommend you consider available offers. Especially Xfinity deals which help you get a flexible and cheap internet service for your home.

Pick the Best Cheap Internet Service for Your Texan Home

Whether you intend to move to Dallas, Houston or Austin, you can make your research a little easy by putting your ZIP code to work. This way you can narrow down on the most suitable options available in any locality you choose to move into without much hassle. Alternatively you can call at 1-855-349-9328 and speak to experts and let them help you shape a better picture of what you may be dealing with once you have moved to your new home.

Now, let’s walk you through the key service features and popular plans from the providers most widely available in Dallas, Houston and Austin.

Xfinity from Comcast

Xfinity Internet is delivered via the largest Gig speed network in the US, and is one of the most affordable services. There is a good range of download speeds to fit a variety of consumer needs, and while Xfinity does impose a data cap, an allowance of 1.2 TB is more than adequate for standard household usage.

Xfinity Internet plans allow you to experience in-home Wi-Fi at its best. The innovative high-end xFi gateway delivers whole home coverage, and if needed you can also add on the xFi Pod to extend the range. The Xfinity app provides you with 24/7 real-time support, and also gives you ultimate control over your in-home Wi-Fi network. The xFi Gateway comes with built-in Advanced Security so all your connected devices stay protected.

The best part is Xfinity gives you the option to sign up for a term agreement or stay without obligation. And, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee as well. Plus, since 2017 Xfinity has made keen investments in improving its customer satisfaction ratings, and in 2020 the service provider ranked #3 on the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). So, you can rest assured Xfinity will back its products/services with proactive customer service.

You can take your pick of internet-only plan, or save more by buying more. Add Xfinity X1 TV to your internet plan, if your home needs both, and enjoy a discount for one full year. The famous Xfinity Triple Play makes all the sense if you want a home phone service as well.

AT&T

AT&T broadband service offers more than just good speeds. AT&T internet plans come with benefits and perks which are difficult to find for the price. The AT&T IPBB network which delivers high-speed DSL lets you enjoy download speeds up to 100 Mbps, while the Fiber network is able to get you speeds up to 940 Mbps.

The AT&T Internet 100 plan is a good choice for a family of 3-4 people; everyone can work, learn, and play with ease. For large households, where not only people but smart devices also need to connect, AT&T Fiber plans can do a wonderful job.

Another salient service feature is the AT&T Wi-Fi Gateway, which is a modem-router combo, and supports all your home devices seamlessly thanks to its advanced mesh technology. For $10 per month, you can enjoy wall-to-wall coverage. It is one of the cheapest ways to get Wi-Fi at home. And, if necessary you can add on the Smart Wi-Fi Extender(s) which are sold separately.

Your Smart AT&T Wi-Fi comes with the FREE Smart Home Manager app, which allows you convenient and flexible access to your in-home network controls. Parental Controls are also provided to help you make the online experience safe for the young ones. While the FREE AT&T internet security protects your devices from cyber threats.

AT&T Internet plans can be paired with AT&T TV or DIRECTV, and also with the AT&T home phone service. If your home needs more than just the internet, it is wise to pick the services under the same roof, and pay via a single bill.

Spectrum

Spectrum is one of the most widely spread broadband services in the US, with coverage in over 40 states. Coincidentally, the Spectrum Internet service offers one of the best speed to cost ratios. The service is delivered over a hybrid Fiber-Coaxial network and download speeds range from 200 Mbps to 940 Mbps. One of the biggest perks you get is the unlimited data across the board with all plans.  All Spectrum Internet plans also get you a FREE internet modem, which comes with built-in WiFi. For an additional $5/mo. you can benefit from cheap WiFi at home. A FREE antivirus software is included in the price to ensure your online experience is secure. And when you are on-the-go nationwide Spectrum WiFi hotspots keep you online via a secure connection while helping you save on mobile data.

Spectrum Internet and Cable TV packages are among the most popular bundles. And, if your home also requires a backup phone service, you can include Spectrum Voice and save on your cellular plan with unlimited nationwide calling. 

The best part is Spectrum services do not require an annual contract, and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. So there is no hassle involved or a risk.  

Cheap Internet Services with Limited Coverage

As we said earlier, Windstream, Suddenlink, CenturyLink and Grande may not have widespread network coverage in Dallas, Houston or Austin, but offers from these providers must be considered if available at your new address. Here is a quick snapshot of popular plans from these providers. And in order to check their availability in any Texan neighborhood that you maybe moving to, you can call at 1-855-349-9328.

Bottom Line

Now that you are aware of the cheap internet options available in Dallas, Houston and Austin, you can take the time to assess the value of these offerings, and determine provider availability in the area you maybe planning to move to. This way you will not have to face the nagging question “how do I find cheap internet in my area” when you have already moved to one of the Texan cities we’ve talked about.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Which state has the best cheap internet plans?

States like Rhode Island, California, Massachusetts, Georgia and New York enjoy cheap internet with per Mbps price lower than the US average of $3.91. In Texas the cost of per Mbps averages out at $2.29 which is still lower than the nationwide average.

What makes a good internet provider?

Other than reliable and consistent internet speeds, you should also look for things like good customer service, low equipment fees, flexible contracts and some freebies in an internet plan. As with plans from the likes of Spectrum, AT&T and Xfinity from Comcast.

Can I get cheap internet without Cable?

Yes. Spectrum, AT&T and Xfinity from Comcast are just some examples of nationwide service providers that offer cheap internet-only plans. Windstream, Suddenlink, CenturyLink and Grande also have cheap internet options on the menu without including Cable.