Harlingen residents seeking internet service have a variety of options, with Vexus Fiber often cited as the top choice due to its symmetrical speeds and competitive introductory pricing. Although availability is expanding, Vexus offers plans up to 2 Gbps. Spectrum and T-Mobile Home Internet are viable alternatives depending on location. The most budget-conscious option appears to be Vexus Fiber’s 150 Mbps plan at $35 per month, but it includes a $13 network access fee. For those prioritizing speed, Vexus Gigabit Fiber and Spectrum both deliver 1 Gbps downloads and have broad coverage in Harlingen.
A detailed comparison of internet providers in Harlingen reveals a diverse landscape. AT&T Fiber has limited availability, primarily concentrated around Ed Carey Drive and Morris Road, with plans ranging from $55 per month for 300 Mbps to $80 for 1 Gbps. AT&T’s fixed wireless service, Internet Air, offers a consistent $60 monthly rate for speeds between 75 and 225 Mbps, depending on location. Gigabit Communications provides fixed wireless service with plans from $49 per month for 50 Mbps to $99 per month for 100 Mbps. Satellite internet from providers like Starlink, Viasat, or Hughesnet remains an option for rural areas with limited access to other services, but it often comes at a higher cost with potentially slower and less consistent speeds. Verizon 5G Home Internet offers plans up to 300 Mbps in Harlingen, ranging from $60 to $80 monthly, with potential discounts when bundled with eligible phone plans. VTX1 provides fixed wireless service with speeds up to 400 Mbps, but availability and pricing require direct confirmation.
Finding truly budget-friendly internet in Harlingen can be challenging. Vexus Fiber’s advertised $35 per month plan effectively becomes $48 due to the mandatory network access fee. Spectrum’s starting price of $50 for up to 500 Mbps offers competitive value. Minimizing equipment rental costs can be achieved by using your own router with Spectrum or Vexus. Bundling eligible mobile plans with 5G home internet from T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T can also lower overall costs. The most affordable options based on advertised price are Vexus Fiber ($35), Spectrum Internet Premier ($50), Verizon 5G Home Internet ($60), Gigabit Fiber ($50), AT&T Internet Air ($60), and T-Mobile Home Internet ($50). However, it’s crucial to consider the network access fee for Vexus Fiber and potential bundling discounts for the 5G home internet options.
Promotions and deals on internet services in Harlingen are frequently changing, with most being short-term offers. Providers like Spectrum, T-Mobile, and Vexus may offer introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Other companies like AT&T and Verizon tend to maintain consistent pricing throughout the year. Regularly checking for the latest deals is recommended.
Harlingen enjoys relatively high broadband speeds, with a median download speed of nearly 344 Mbps, outpacing the state average of 256 Mbps. This speed advantage is attributed to the widespread availability of Spectrum’s cable network and the fiber offerings from Vexus Fiber and Gigabit Fiber, all of which offer gigabit speed plans. Vexus and Gigabit Fiber, in particular, provide the advantage of symmetrical speeds, meaning upload speeds match download speeds. The fastest internet plans in Harlingen include Vexus Fiber’s 2 Gig plan (2,000 Mbps up and down), Gigabit Fiber’s 1 Gig plan (1,000 Mbps up and down), Vexus Fiber’s 1 Gig plan (1,000 Mbps up and down), and Spectrum Internet Gig (1,000 Mbps download, 35 Mbps upload).
Choosing the right internet speed depends on online activities. Basic browsing and email require minimal speeds (0-5 Mbps). Higher quality video streaming and video conferencing necessitates 5-40 Mbps. Telecommuting, streaming, and online gaming benefit from 40-100 Mbps. Multiple users engaging in bandwidth-intensive activities simultaneously will require speeds of 100 Mbps or higher, with 500-1,000 Mbps ideal for three or more users.
CNET’s methodology for evaluating internet providers combines a multi-faceted approach. They leverage a proprietary database of pricing, availability, and speed information, supplemented by data from the FCC. Local addresses are checked on provider websites to verify availability and specific plan options. Customer satisfaction data from sources like the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power are also considered. The evaluation process focuses on three key questions: speed, value, and customer satisfaction. For cheapest internet selection, CNET emphasizes low monthly fees while also considering factors like price increases, equipment fees, and contracts. Fastest internet selection prioritizes advertised and real-world upload and download speeds.
The Harlingen internet market essentially boils down to a competition between Spectrum and Vexus for wired connections. Spectrum has wider coverage, while Vexus offers the advantage of symmetrical gigabit fiber speeds. The choice between them depends on the importance of upload speeds and introductory pricing. If neither provider meets your needs, 5G home internet from AT&T, Verizon, or T-Mobile can be alternative solutions. The cheapest internet provider, considering the network access fee, is debatable between Vexus and Spectrum. The fastest internet is offered by Vexus Fiber with its 2 Gbps plan, while Spectrum and Gigabit Fiber offer competitive 1 Gbps downloads but significantly slower upload speeds compared to Vexus and Gigabit Fiber. Fiber internet is available in Harlingen through Vexus Fiber and Gigabit Fiber, but coverage is still expanding. Spectrum offers the widest coverage across the city for wired internet.
