Best Internet Providers in Santa Monica
Sitting on the flat ranchland outside the county seat, Santa Monica still feels like a small service town. When the town grew in scattered subdivisions rather than a tight grid, providers ran fiber and cable only along the main county road and the commercial strip. Fiber service is concentrated in downtown Santa Monica and the northern residential neighborhoods, while fixed wireless and satellite are widely available in the surrounding ranch areas. So homes near Main Street tend to get low-latency uploads good for video calls and gaming, while households out on the ranch roads often rely on satellite with higher latency and occasional data constraints.
In Santa Monica, internet competition varies by neighborhood, but most residents have multiple options to choose from. After reviewing provider availability, plan pricing, typical speeds, and customer sentiment across the 25 areas we track, here are our top recommendations for 2026.
EarthLink Fiber is the standout pick if it is available at your address. With speeds up to 5 Gbps (and, in some areas, symmetrical upload speeds), it is often the best option for gaming, remote work, and busy households with many users and connected devices. Availability has expanded across parts of Santa Monica, so it is worth checking your exact address first.
Valley Telephone Cooperative is usually the most widely available choice in Santa Monica and a strong option when you need a reliable connection. Its network reaches approximately 100% of Santa Monica, with speeds up to 1 Gbps and plans starting around N/A/mo, making it the most accessible option for many residents. In neighborhoods where EarthLink Fiber is not offered yet, Valley Telephone Cooperative is often the best overall mix of speed and price.
Viasat can be a strong third option if you would rather keep things simple, with straightforward pricing around $49.99/mo and fewer stipulations.
Coverage reaches roughly 97% of Santa Monica, and speeds range between 100 Mbps and 150 Mbps, which is enough for streaming, video calls, and everyday home use. It can be a great fit in parts of Santa Monica where signal strength is strong.
Valley Telephone Cooperative or Viasat may still offer service in parts of Santa Monica, if none of these are available at your address, with speeds up to 1 Gbps. Since promotions change often, it is always smart to check current deals before you order.
