Internet providers in Albuquerque, NM
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Albuquerque is a city of sunshine, scenic mountain views and cultural diversity. As New Mexico’s largest city, its steady growth continues to outpace the national average.
With this expansion, many in this scenic southwestern city are looking for high-speed home internet, and they’ve got plenty of options with Albuquerque internet providers. Plans are available for anywhere from $9.95 to $249.99/mo., with speeds up to 1,200 Mbps.
Curious about internet at your home in ABQ? Enter your address on this page to browse plans and pricing from top internet service providers in Albuquerque, or read on to learn more about each one.
Best internet providers in Albuquerque, NM
- Quantum Fiber: Most affordable fiber internet
- Xfinity: Best cable internet
- NMSurf: Best local provider
- Viasat: Best for rural customers
- T-Mobile Home Internet: Best 5G internet
Albuquerque internet comparison
Albuquerque residents have plenty of choices for home internet, with options for fiber, cable, fixed wireless, and more. You can choose from basic satellite connections from providers like Viasat, lightning-fast gigabit fiber from Quantum Fiber and NMSurf, cable from Xfinity, or fixed wireless from T-Mobile.
Here’s an overview of our top choices for Albuquerque internet providers.
Provider | Starting price range* | Download speed range | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|
Quantum Fiber | $50–$75/mo. | 500–940 Mbps | Fiber |
Xfinity | $9.95–$85/mo. | 50–1,200 Mbps | Cable |
NMSurf | $59.99–$199.99/mo. | 100–1,000 Mbps | Fiber, fixed wireless |
Viasat | $49.99–$249.99/mo. | 25–150 Mbps | Satellite |
T-Mobile Home Internet | $60/mo. | 72–245 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
How to choose a provider in Albuquerque, NM
Those are just a few of the many options for home internet in Albuquerque. But how do you choose the right provider and plan? Typically, it comes down to some combination of the following factors:
- Add up all the costs. Internet service providers in Albuquerque may advertise certain plan prices, but that’s not all there is to it. There are often additional equipment fees, upfront installation charges and taxes on top of your monthly rate. Account for all these extras when you set your budget.
- Don’t forget the bonuses. Many providers offer bundle discounts and other plan perks that can help to bring down your overall costs. Pay attention to cable or cell phone bundles, free signup bonuses and other perks like Wi-Fi hotspots when comparing your options.
- Think about how you use Wi-Fi. Speed is obviously the biggest feature most people consider with home Wi-Fi, but don’t assume that you need the fastest plan available. Your need for speed and bandwidth comes down to how many devices you have connected and what you or others at home usually do online. Unless you do a lot of online gaming or 4K streaming, you probably don’t need a gigabit internet plan.
Albuquerque internet provider reviews
Quantum Fiber – Most affordable fiber internet
CenturyLink Fiber offers fiber service as Quantum Fiber, a popular option in the western U.S. Quantum Fiber is best known for its affordable high-speed plans, with gigabit internet for only $75/mo. There are no data caps or contacts, and Quantum Fiber offers a “price for life” as long as you keep your plan active.
Xfinity – Best cable internet
Xfinity offers cable TV and internet in countless metro areas across the U.S. Its plans are quite affordable overall, but beware of equipment fees and installation charges. Speeds top out at 1,200 Mbps in Albuquerque — more than enough for most home internet needs. Xfinity’s biggest downside is its below-average customer service reputation.
Overall score: 3.9 out of 5.
Read our full Xfinity review.
NMSurf – Best local provider
NMSurf is a New Mexico internet provider that offers fiber and fixed wireless plans across the Land of Enchantment. Fixed wireless plans of 100–400 Mbps range from $69.99/mo. to $114.99/mo., while fiber options of 100–1,000 Mbps range from $59.99/mo. to $199.99/mo. Its fiber network is not yet widely available, but it’s expanding rapidly. Installation fees apply to fixed wireless plans.
Viasat – Best for rural customers
Viasat internet is available almost everywhere in the U.S. You’ll need to install a satellite dish on your property — and the cost will be built into your plan contract, but Viasat offers some of the fastest connection speeds of any satellite provider. Starting prices are only good for three months, so stay alert for a price increase early on.
Overall score: 2.1 out of 5.
Read our full Viasat review.
T-Mobile Home Internet – Best 5G internet
T-Mobile home internet plans are popping up in more and more markets nationwide, including Albuquerque. If you can’t get fiber or cable at home, fixed wireless may be your next best option for high-speed internet. Plus, T-Mobile offers bonus perks like discounts for bundling with cellular and free subscriptions to some streaming services. The advertised price is the price you pay, other than a one-time device setup fee of $35.
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.
Read our full T-Mobile review.
Cheap internet in Albuquerque, NM
Home Wi-Fi can get pricey, but internet service providers in Albuquerque offer a range of affordable plans. You can get connected for as little as $9.95/mo. with cable from Xfinity, and Quantum Fiber’s 500 Mbps fiber plan is a steal compared to many options on the market at $50/mo. If you’re a T-Mobile cellular customer, you can bundle to get $20 off a fixed wireless plan.
Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|
Xfinity | $9.95/mo. | 100 Mbps | Cable |
T-Mobile Home Internet | $40/mo.** | 72–245 Mbps | Fixed wireless |
Quantum Fiber | $50/mo. | 500 Mbps | Fiber |
**When bundled with a qualifying mobile plan.
Fastest internet in Albuquerque, NM
Budget isn’t the top concern for everyone, and Albuquerque internet providers have high-speed plans to accommodate those who need more bandwidth. Xfinity’s top cable plan has the fastest download speed in Albuquerque, but fiber plans from NMSurf and Quantum Fiber will provide better overall performance with synchronous upload and download speeds of about 1 GB.
Plan | Price* | Download speed | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|
Xfinity | $85/mo. | Up to 1,200 Mbps | Cable |
NMSurf | $199.99/mo. | Up to 1,000 Mbps | Fiber |
Quantum Fiber | $75/mo. | Up to 940 Mbps | Fiber |
Albuquerque internet technology
Your type of internet connection plays a big role in your home Wi-Fi performance. Albuquerque internet providers offer all the following options, each with its pros and cons:
- Fiber internet: Fiber-optic cables are a step above the rest for high-speed connectivity and reliable performance. With synchronous upload and download speeds, fiber offers a lag-free experience perfect for online gaming, Zoom meetings, and more. Unfortunately, many households still don’t have access to fiber internet.
- Cable: Cable connections are widely available in urban and suburban areas, and download speeds can reach up to 2,000 Mbps in some cases. However, upload speeds are much slower than fiber, and cable slows down when you have a lot of connected devices.
- Fixed wireless: Cellular internet was once far behind home Wi-Fi in terms of connection speeds and bandwidth, but it’s come a long way in the era of 5G technology. Fixed wireless providers now offer speeds that compete with some cable plans, and you can save big by bundling cell and home internet services. Wireless still doesn’t perform well when demand is high, though.
- Satellite: Satellite internet is much slower than fiber, cable, and some fixed wireless plans, but it’s widely available, even in rural areas. Customers on the outskirts of Albuquerque should check with satellite providers like Viasat and Hughesnet for home internet options.
- DSL: These phone-based connections were once quite popular, but many internet providers in Albuquerque are slowly replacing them with fiber connections. However, DSL is still a decent option in some remote areas that haven’t yet upgraded to fiber lines.
Albuquerque, NM, internet FAQs
What is the fastest Wi-Fi in Albuquerque?
Xfinity offers the fastest download speeds in Albuquerque, but its upload speeds are much slower since it’s cable internet. NMSurf and Quantum Fiber both offer gigabit fiber plans that have synchronous upload and download speeds for the fastest overall experience.
How much is internet in Albuquerque?
Albuquerque internet providers offer home Wi-Fi plans at a wide range of price points. You can get home internet for anywhere from $9.95/mo. to $249.99/mo. in ABQ.
Does Albuquerque have fiber internet?
Yes, Albuquerque’s fiber network is growing rapidly. Currently, customers can choose fiber-optic plans from Quantum Fiber and NMSurf.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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