Internet providers in San Mateo, CA
San Mateo is a city in California with about 103,555 residents and roughly 47,771 residential locations that internet providers can report on. The table below compares the providers that report service here.
Compare internet providers in San Mateo, CA
Share of residential locations in San Mateo where each provider reports service, from the FCC National Broadband Map (data as of December 31, 2025). Availability depends on your exact address.
| # | Provider | Technology (varies by address) | Locations covered | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Xfinity | Cable | 99% | |
| 2 | AT&T | Fiber, DSL, Fixed wireless | 93% | Check availability |
| 3 | Astound Broadband | Fiber, Cable | 82% | |
| 4 | T-Mobile Home Internet | Fixed wireless | 74% | |
| 5 | Etheric Communications | Fixed wireless | 69% | |
| 6 | Verizon | Fiber, Fixed wireless | 55% | Check availability |
| 7 | Sonic Telecom | Fiber | 30% | |
| 8 | Unwired | Fixed wireless | 22% | |
| 9 | California Internet | Fixed wireless | 14% | |
| 10 | Sail Internet Holdings | Fixed wireless | <1% |
Satellite internet
| 1 | HughesNet | Satellite | 99%+ | |
| 2 | Viasat | Satellite | 99%+ | |
| 3 | Starlink | Satellite | 99%+ |
Satellite service is available at nearly every address but typically has higher latency than wired options.
Provider-reported coverage does not guarantee service or speeds at a specific address. Some "Check availability" links are affiliate links; we may earn a commission at no cost to you. How we make money.
What to know about internet in San Mateo
Xfinity reports service to the most residential locations in San Mateo, about 99%. 6 providers report coverage of at least half of locations (Xfinity, AT&T, Astound Broadband, T-Mobile Home Internet, Etheric Communications, and Verizon), so the market looks competitive. Fiber-focused providers reporting service here include Sonic Telecom (30%). T-Mobile Home Internet, Etheric Communications, and Unwired offer fixed wireless home internet, an option if you prefer no cable or fiber installation.
What technologies are available in San Mateo?
Fiber is widely available: about 71% of locations in San Mateo can get it. Gigabit-class service (1,000 Mbps down) is reported for about 99%+ of locations. DSL is still reported for about 30% of locations, which can be a fallback where fiber and cable do not reach. Fixed wireless home internet is reported for about 93% of locations.
FCC National Broadband Map, data as of December 31, 2025: share of residential locations in San Mateo that providers report they can serve. City-level figures, not your address.
San Mateo at a glance
About 95% of households in San Mateo have a broadband subscription, 3 points above the California average of 92%.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2023).
Internet providers in places near San Mateo
- Foster City, CA (3 mi)
- Belmont, CA (3 mi)
- Burlingame, CA (4 mi)
- San Carlos, CA (5 mi)
- Millbrae, CA (6 mi)
- Redwood City, CA (6 mi)
- South San Francisco, CA (7 mi)
- San Bruno, CA (8 mi)
- Half Moon Bay, CA (10 mi)
- Pacifica, CA (10 mi)
- Menlo Park, CA (11 mi)
- East Palo Alto, CA (12 mi)
- Hayward, CA (12 mi)
- Daly City, CA (12 mi)
- San Lorenzo, CA (12 mi)
- San Leandro, CA (13 mi)
- Alameda, CA (13 mi)
- Cherryland, CA (14 mi)
- Ashland, CA (14 mi)
- Palo Alto, CA (15 mi)
Frequently asked questions
Is fiber internet available in San Mateo?
Yes, in part. About 71% of residential locations in San Mateo can get fiber, 100% can get cable, and about 100% can get gigabit-class speeds, per FCC data. Availability depends on your exact address.
Which internet provider has the widest coverage in San Mateo?
Xfinity reports service to about 99% of residential locations in San Mateo, the most of any provider, per FCC data. Availability still depends on your address.
How many internet providers serve San Mateo?
9 providers report service to at least 2% of locations in San Mateo, and 6 cover at least half. Satellite (HughesNet, Viasat, Starlink) is also available nearly everywhere.
Is there fiber internet in San Mateo?
Fiber providers reporting service in San Mateo include Sonic Telecom (30% of locations). Other providers may also offer fiber in parts of the city, so check your address.
What is the difference between fiber, cable and DSL?
Fiber offers the fastest and most consistent speeds, cable is widely available with high download speeds, and DSL runs over phone lines and is usually slower. See our guide for details.
What internet speed do I need in San Mateo?
Most households are well served by 100–300 Mbps. Heavy streaming, gaming or many connected devices may benefit from 500 Mbps or more.
Check your exact address
Coverage for a whole community cannot tell you what is available at your door. Enter your ZIP code, then confirm with each provider.
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