What is the best internet provider in Port Arthur?
Offering competitive introductory rates in the first two years, gigabit speed and unlimited data, Spectrum is CNET’s pick for Port Arthur’s best internet service provider. According to the latest data from the Federal Communications Commission, over 91% of households have access to Spectrum’s cable offerings. Spectrum also offers the cheapest internet in the area, with a $30-per-month plan for download speeds of 100 megabits per second.
For Port Arthur residents, home internet options are likely limited. While satellite connections are available from Hughesnet, Viasat and Starlink, you might find better and consistent speeds with fixed wireless ISPs like AT&T Internet Air, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Verizon and T-Mobile offer speeds that peak at 245Mbps and 300Mbps, respectively. Those speeds aren’t the fastest, but they are far more reliable than a satellite connection.
Finding high-speed internet in Port Arthur could be difficult, as Spectrum is the only ISP that offers download speeds of up to 1,000Mbps.
Port Arthur internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T Internet Air Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $60 | 72-225Mbps | None | None | None | 6.9 |
| Hughesnet Read full review |
Satellite | $50-$95 ($75-$120 after 12 months) | 50-100Mbps | $15-$20 or $300-$450 one-time purchase | 100-200GB | 2-years | 6 |
| Spectrum Read full review |
Cable | $30-$70 | 50-1,000Mbps | Modem free; $10 for router (optional) | None | None | 7.2 |
| Starlink Read full review |
Satellite | $120; $130-$1,500 (Priority); $150-$5,000 (Mobile) | 25-220Mbps | $599 one-time purchase (or $2,500 for Priority) | 40GB-2TB or unlimited | None | 6.5 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $60-$70 ($40-$50 for eligible Go5G Plus and Magenta Max mobile customers) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($45-$34 with qualifying Verizon 5G mobile plans) | 50-300Mbps (varies by location) | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| Viasat Read full review |
Satellite | $100 | 150Mbps | $15 or $259 one-time purchase | 850GB | None | 6.1 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Port Arthur?
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Advantage Read full review |
$30 | 100Mbps | Free modem; $10 for router (optional) | |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with qualifying Verizon 5G Mobile plans) | 100Mbps (varies by location) | None | |
| Spectrum Internet Premier Read full review |
$50 | 500Mbps | Free modem; $10 for router (optional) | |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($40 for eligible mobile customers) | 245Mbps | None | |
| AT&T Internet Air Read full review |
$60 | 225Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Aerial view of the Sabine Lake Causeway Bridge in Port Arthur, Texas.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Port Arthur
The best internet deals and top promotions in Port Arthur depend on what discounts are available during a given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Port Arthur internet providers, such as Spectrum and T-Mobile, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Other providers, like AT&T Internet Air, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Port Arthur
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | None | Cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Port Arthur?
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Port Arthur FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Port Arthur?
Spectrum is our top pick for the best internet provider in the area due to its competitive introductory prices and gigabit speeds available. Spectrum also offers the widest fixed coverage in the city, reaching over 91% of households in Port Arthur. All plans come with unlimited data and no contracts. Customers can skip the $10 monthly equipment fee by using their own router.
Is fiber internet available in Port Arthur?
What is the cheapest internet provider in Port Arthur?
Spectrum has the cheapest internet in the area, offering a $30-per-month plan for 100Mbps. Spectrum and many cable ISPs are notorious for increasing their prices after one to two years. As such, the 100Mbps plan can jump to $50 monthly after one year. Verizon and T-Mobile offer lower rates for eligible mobile customers if you don’t want to deal with price hikes after the promo period ends.
Which internet provider in Port Arthur offers the fastest plan?
Spectrum is the only ISP in the area that offers download speeds of up to 1,000Mbps.
