Best Internet Providers in Chico, California (2026)

The top internet providers in Chico, California (2026) are Race Communications, Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, and T-Mobile Home Internet. The “best” choice usually comes down to one thing first: whether fiber is available at your address. 

If you can get fiber-to-the-home, Race Communications and AT&T Fiber are typically the strongest picks for modern households because they deliver symmetrical speeds (fast uploads and downloads) and more consistent performance for work-from-home, video calls, cloud backups, and creators. 

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Race Communications stands out in Chico for pairing multi-gig symmetrical fiber with aggressive pricing (from $34.95/mo for 300 Mbps up to $119.95/mo for 10 Gbps) and free professional installation, making it a top value when it’s available. 

If fiber isn’t available at your location, Xfinity is often the main alternative, but uploads are typically much lower than fiber, which can matter a lot for WFH and heavy uploading. 

T-Mobile Home Internet is usually the fastest path to getting online (easy self-setup), but speeds and uploads are more variable because it runs on 5G network capacity. 

Below, we compare Race Communications, Xfinity, AT&T Fiber, and T-Mobile in Chico, CA by pricing, speeds (including upload reality), fees, key features, and availability, so you can pick the best fit for your address and your usage.

These details are relevant as of February 2026. Prices and promos change. Providers may offer limited-time deals, address-based discounts, or bundles. Always check your exact address for final pricing and availability.

Overview of the Best Internet Providers in Chico

Feature		Xfinity	AT&T Fiber
Technology	Fiber (FTTH)	Cable (HFC)	Fiber (FTTH)	5G Fixed Wireless
Symmetrical speeds	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No
Max speed	10 Gbps	1.2 Gbps	5 Gbps	Up to 400 Mbps
Starting price	$34.95/mo	$30/mo	$45/mo	$50/mo
Unlimited data	✅ Yes	⚠️ Varies	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Free professional installation	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No
Install / setup fee	$0	$39.99 self / $100 pro	$0	$35 device charge
Best for	WFH, gaming, creators, large households	Coverage + strong downloads	Fiber alternative where available	Fast setup, renters, flexibility
Notes: Availability varies by address in Chico, CA. “Unlimited data” can depend on plan terms (especially with cable). 5G fixed wireless speeds can vary with signal and network congestion.

1) Race Communications: Fastest Fiber Internet in Chico

Race Communications is a California-based fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) internet provider that’s expanding service across communities throughout the state.

In Chico, Race is one of the most exciting options because it delivers true fiber performance, meaning symmetrical speeds (your upload is just as fast as your download), low latency, and the kind of consistency that’s hard to match with cable or fixed wireless.

Race Communications pricing in Chico

Race keeps its lineup simple and value-focused, with multiple symmetrical speed tiers:

• Internet 300 (300 Mbps): $34.95/mo
• Internet 500 (500 Mbps): $44.95/mo
• Gigabit Internet: $49.95/mo
• 5 Gigabit Internet: $89.95/mo
• 10 Gigabit Internet: $119.95/mo

Gig speeds for under $50 is a standout value and the multi-gig options are there if you have a heavy-use household.

Features, benefits, and fees

Race leans into an “easy, fiber-first” experience, including:

• Free professional installation (no install charge)
• Router included
• No data caps and no contracts provide full freedom
• Race CommandIQ mobile app with parental controls and built-in cybersecurity tools
• Easy-to-reach customer support
• Tech Assure fee: $9.95/month, added to all plans
• Optional Wi-Fi extenders (mesh): $5/month for coverage up to about 4,500 sq ft (larger homes may need additional units)

This is a good setup for families and work-from-home households because you’re not just paying for speed. With Race, you’re also getting tools to manage devices, security, and coverage without needing to be a networking expert.

Coverage and availability in Chico

Race Communications is still building out parts of Chico, so availability is neighborhood-specific.

Fiber construction is slow and labor-intensive by nature. As Race expands, more Chico neighborhoods should come online over time. If Race is available at your address, it’s one of the best long-term internet options in the city.

2) AT&T Fiber

AT&T Fiber is a major national provider offering fiber-to-the-home internet in parts of Chico.

Like Race Communications, AT&T Fiber’s biggest advantage is symmetrical speeds (fast uploads and downloads), making it more reliable for video calls, remote work, cloud backups, and households with lots of devices online at the same time. 

AT&T Fiber pricing in Chico

AT&T Fiber provides the following plans and pricing:

• 100 Mbps: $45/mo
• 300 Mbps: $55/mo
• 500 Mbps: $65/mo
• 1 Gbps: $80/mo
• 2 Gbps: $125/mo
• 5 Gbps: $155/mo

Features, benefits, and fees

AT&T positions Fiber as a simple, heavy-use-friendly service:

• Symmetrical upload/download speeds on fiber plans 
• Unlimited data and no contracts
• Equipment fees are typically not charged on current plans 
• Free professional installation

AT&T’s own local plan pages often say a one-time install fee may apply, which can vary by address and promo. However, their broadband label shows professional installation is free.

Coverage and availability in Chico

AT&T Fiber in Chico is availability-dependent. It’s not “citywide,” and the only reliable way to know is to check your address.

That said, where it is available, AT&T Fiber is a solid choice if you want symmetrical performance from a major nationwide provider, especially if you’re bundling with other AT&T services. 

3) Xfinity: Widely Available Cable Internet

Xfinity (Comcast) is the main cable internet provider in many parts of Chico, California, and it’s often the default option when fiber isn’t available at a specific address. In practical terms, Xfinity is known for broad coverage in town.

Where Xfinity usually differs from fiber providers like Race Communications and AT&T Fiber is the upload speed. Cable internet can be fast on downloads, but uploads are often much lower unless you’re in an area with Xfinity’s enhanced / “next gen” upload upgrades. That’s why some remote workers, creators, and people who upload large files may prefer fiber when it’s available.

Xfinity pricing in Chico

Xfinity’s plans and pricing in Chico looks like:

• 100 Mbps: $30/mo
• 300 Mbps: $40/mo
• 500 Mbps: $45/mo
• 1 Gig: $50/mo
• 1.2 Gig: $70/mo

Xfinity pricing frequently shows promo/guarantee options (like 1-year or 5-year price guarantees) and an “everyday” price, so the exact monthly cost can vary based on the offer you select and whether you’re a new customer. 

Features, benefits, and fees

Xfinity’s big strengths are convenience and availability. Here are the key things most Chico shoppers should know:

• Fast download speeds with multiple tiers available
• Usually widely available compared to fiber options (especially outside new fiber build areas) 
• Lower upload speeds than fiber on many cable plans
• Installation fees:
  • Self-install fee: $39.99
  • Professional installation: $100

Coverage and availability in Chico

If your main goal is simply to get internet at your address, Xfinity is often the easiest to qualify for in Chico. Coverage estimates commonly show Xfinity serving a large share of the city (often cited around ~90%+), which is why it comes up so often in “best internet in Chico” lists. 

4) T-Mobile Home Internet: 5G Fixed Wireless

T-Mobile Home Internet is a 5G home internet service available in Chico, California that uses T-Mobile’s cellular network instead of a wired line (like fiber or cable). The appeal is simplicity: if your address is eligible, you can usually get online quickly with an easy self-setup gateway. No trenching, no construction timeline, and no waiting for a neighborhood buildout. 

That said, 5G home internet behaves differently than fiber or cable. Because it runs on a wireless network, speeds can fluctuate based on local tower capacity, signal strength, and time of day.

For many Chico households it’s a great “set it up and go” option, but it’s not the most consistent choice for heavy uploading or latency-sensitive use. 

T-Mobile Home Internet pricing in Chico

• Up to 300 Mbps: $50/mo
• Up to 400 Mbps: $60/mo

T-Mobile generally markets these as flat monthly prices (often with AutoPay) and positions them as straightforward alternatives to traditional wired internet. 

Features, benefits, and fees

T-Mobile’s biggest strengths are convenience and flexibility:

• Quick self-installation (plug in the gateway and you’re typically online fast) 
• No traditional “installation appointment” like fiber usually requires
• Speeds are variable because it’s 5G, not a dedicated wired line 
• Typical real-world speed ranges (5G): about 133–415 Mbps download and 12–55 Mbps upload (your experience can be above or below this) 
• One-time Device Connection Charge: $35

So in plain terms: T-Mobile can feel fast for streaming and everyday browsing, but compared to fiber providers (like Race Communications or AT&T Fiber), you should expect lower uploads and more variability.

Coverage and availability in Chico

T-Mobile Home Internet is available in Chico, but eligibility is address-based. Even within the same neighborhood, one home might qualify while another doesn’t due to network capacity management.

Best for: renters, students, and households that want fast setup with simple pricing, especially if fiber isn’t available at their address or they want an alternative to cable. Just keep in mind it’s usually not the top pick for heavy uploading or “always the same speed” consistency.

Best Internet Providers in Chico, CA: Recap

Chico has a solid mix of internet options: fiber, cable, and 5G home internet. The “best” provider really depends on what’s available at your address and what you care about most (price, speed, uploads, or fastest setup).

• If you can get fiber, it’s usually the best overall experience for reliability and fast uploads (great for WFH, Zoom, gaming, and creators). In Chico, that means Race Communications or AT&T Fiber where available.
• If fiber isn’t available, Xfinity is often the go-to wired option with strong download speeds and broad coverage. Just keep in mind uploads are typically much lower than fiber.
• If you want the simplest setup, T-Mobile Home Internet can be a great “plug it in and go” option, though speeds can vary more than wired internet.

👉 Check if Race Communications is available at your address. You’ll get symmetrical fiber speeds up to 10 Gbps, competitive pricing, unlimited data, and free professional installation!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Internet in Chico, CA