What is the best internet provider in Prescott?
CNET recommends Sparklight as Prescott’s best internet service provider. This is due to its extensive local coverage, fast internet speeds and customer-friendly service terms, such as no hard data caps and no contracts. Formerly known as Cable One, Sparklight is the largest wired internet provider in the area and the only cable internet provider, covering over 99% of homes in Prescott, according to the FCC.
For residents looking for the cheapest internet, they can’t go wrong with Sparklight’s $35 plan. It offers up to 300 megabits per second download. While the provider also provides gig service, it’s not quite the fastest ISP in Prescott. Quantum Fiber offers download speeds of up to 940Mbps, which matches Sparklight. It also provides equal upload speeds. However, it has much lower availability in Prescott, so if you’re not in one of the specified areas, we recommend trying other ISPs.
Mile High Networks and Verizon 5G Home Internet offer the fastest internet speeds in Prescott, reaching up to 1,000 Mbps for downloads. That said, you’re more likely to get these high speeds with Mile High Networks than Verizon, as the latter has less availability in the area and its fastest plan only offers speeds between 85 and 1,000 Mbps.
The speed and overall value of Mile High Networks can vary depending on the available service tier—standard or airFiber—in your area. In contrast, T-Mobile Home Internet offers slightly better coverage in Prescott and provides consistent service throughout the region. Their plan costs $60 per month and delivers speeds ranging from 72 to 245 Mbps, with no data caps, equipment fees, or contracts.
A few other fixed wireless providers, such as Bolt Internet, may be available in Prescott, but speeds and overall value are too low to recommend compared to other potential internet options.
Best internet in Prescott, Arizona
Prescott, Arizona, internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink Read full review |
DSL | $55 | 20-100Mbps | $15 (optional) | None | None | 6.7 |
| Mile High Networks | Fixed wireless | $39-$149 | 15-1,000Mbps | Varies | None | None | N/A |
| Quantum Fiber | Fiber | $50-$75 | 500-940Mbps | None | None | None | 6.7 |
| Sparklight Read full review |
Cable | $35-$60 | 300-940Mbps | $13 (optional) | 5TB soft cap | None | 6.9 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $60 ($40-$50 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 with eligible mobile plans) | 50-1,000Mbps | None | None | None | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What’s the cheapest internet plan in Prescott?
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparklight 300 Read full review |
$35 | 300Mbps | $13 (optional) |
| Mile High Networks Basic | $39 | 25Mbps | Varies |
| Sparklight 600 Read full review |
$45 | 600Mbps | $13 (optional) |
| Quantum Fiber | $50 | 500Mbps | None |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 300Mbps | None |
| CenturyLink Unlimited Read full review |
$55 | 100Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$60 ($40-$50 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | None |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Prescott
The best internet deals and top promotions in Prescott depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
How many members of your household use the internet?
Prescott internet providers, such as Sparklight and T-Mobile Home Internet, may offer lower introductory pricing for a limited time. Others, however, including CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber, 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 Prescott
| Plan | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mile High Networks airFiber 1000 | $99 | 1,000Mbps | 100Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read full review |
$70 ($45 with eligible mobile plans) | 1,000Mbps | 75Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
| Quantum Fiber | $75 | 940Mbps | 940Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Sparklight 1 Gig Read full review |
$60 | 940Mbps | 50Mbps | 5TB soft cap | Cable |
| Sparklight 600Mbps Read full review |
$45 | 600Mbps | 30Mbps | 5TB soft cap | Cable |
| Quantum Fiber 500 | $50 | 500Mbps | 500Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Mile High Networks airFiber 500 | $89 | 500Mbps | 50Mbps | None | Fixed wireless |
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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, 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 Prescott
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. So 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.
But 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?
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers who 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, though 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. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Internet providers in Prescott, Arizona, FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Prescott?
Sparklight is Prescott’s best internet service provider due to its high availability, fast speeds, low introductory pricing and customer-friendly service terms. The cable provider is available to nearly every Prescott household, offering speeds of 300 to 940Mbps starting at $35 to $60 per month with no contracts or hard data caps.
Is fiber internet available in Prescott?
Fiber internet is technically available in Prescott, although availability is highly limited. According to the FCC, only around 2% of Prescott households, or roughly 630 residences, are eligible for fiber internet as of June 2023. Serviceability is highest along Dells Ranch Road, south of Centerpointe E. Drive, but again, availability is limited. Quantum Fiber is the area’s sole fiber internet provider.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Prescott?
Sparklight has the cheapest internet plan in Prescott, starting at $35 monthly for speeds up to 300Mbps. Even considering the equipment rental fee (which is optional), Sparklight has a lower starting price than Verizon 5G Home Internet, T-Mobile Home Internet, Quantum Fiber and airFiber service from Mile High Networks.
Which internet provider in Prescott offers the fastest plan?
Mile High Networks offers the fastest internet plan in Prescott. The airFiber plan offers max speeds of 1,000Mbps down and 100Mbps up starting at $99 monthly. Sparklight and Quantum Fiber offer download speeds up to 940Mbps, but upload speeds are much slower with Sparklight, topping out at 50Mbps.
