Providers we compare in Houston
These providers serve parts of Houston and the surrounding area. Availability can change from one street to the next.
Xfinity is the main cable provider in Houston and serves most of the city and many suburbs. It’s the most widely available wired option in many neighborhoods. Xfinity details
AT&T Fiber serves many Houston neighborhoods and suburbs. Where fiber hasn’t arrived, AT&T may offer Internet Air (5G home internet) instead. AT&T details
Astound (formerly enTouch in Houston) serves parts of suburbs such as Bellaire, Cypress, Humble, Katy, Missouri City, Spring, Stafford, Sugar Land, Tomball and Conroe, often in master-planned communities. Astound details
Optimum serves parts of the north Houston area, including Conroe and nearby Montgomery County communities. Optimum details
Sells internet over partner fiber and 5G networks at many Houston addresses, with its own plans and customer service. EarthLink details
Satellite internet that works in rural parts of the Houston region where wired service doesn’t reach, such as outer Montgomery, Waller and Liberty counties. Starlink details
Internet in Houston at a glance
Most homes inside Beltway 8 can choose between Xfinity cable and AT&T Fiber, and many can also get 5G home internet from T-Mobile or Verizon. In the suburbs, the picture gets more varied: Astound serves many master-planned communities, Optimum serves parts of the north side, and local fiber companies are building in fast-growing areas. Satellite works almost everywhere, but most city and suburban homes have faster choices.
Local fiber companies in Greater Houston
Houston has a few homegrown fiber providers worth knowing about. Tachus, based in The Woodlands, builds fiber in parts of The Woodlands, Conroe, Kingwood and other Montgomery County communities, and has been expanding into areas like Atascocita. Ezee Fiber offers fiber in some Houston neighborhoods and suburbs. Their networks are still small compared with Xfinity and AT&T, so check your exact address.
Inside the Loop vs. the suburbs
Inside the Loop (Downtown, Midtown, Montrose, the Heights, Museum District, EaDo), many apartments and townhomes are pre-wired for one or two providers. Some buildings include internet in the rent. Ask the leasing office which providers are wired in, and whether fiber runs to your unit or just to the building.
Suburbs like Katy, Sugar Land, Cypress, Pearland, The Woodlands, Spring and Humble often have more choice, but it depends on the subdivision. Some newer communities sign agreements with one provider, while older neighborhoods may have both cable and fiber. Comparing homes across the metro? Don’t assume your provider will follow you.
Plan for storms and power outages
Houston knows storm season well. When Hurricane Beryl hit in July 2024, about 2.2 million CenterPoint customers lost power, and many homes were offline for days. Your router stops when the power does. A small battery backup (UPS) for your modem and router, a phone plan with hotspot data, and a second connection like 5G home internet can help if you work from home.
How much speed does a Houston household need?
- 1–2 people who browse and stream: 100–300 Mbps is usually plenty
- Families with several streamers and gamers: 300 Mbps–1 Gig
- Remote workers who upload large files or live on video calls: fiber, for upload speeds that match download speeds
Not sure which type fits you? Read our fiber vs cable guide.
Moving to Houston?
Houston keeps growing, and installation slots near the first and last days of the month fill up fast. Book 2–4 weeks before you move. Our moving internet checklist covers the full timeline. You can also compare providers across the state on our Texas internet providers page, or see internet in Dallas if you’re weighing both cities.
