In Santa Barbara County there are 10 residential internet providers covering 99.54% of the county. The average home can get speeds up to 939 Mbps. Note that we may have a financial relationship with some of the providers below. This does not influence rankings, and helps us provide high-quality detailed information for free.
10 Internet Service Providers in Santa Barbara County
To avoid wasting your time, providers with less than 1% coverage in Santa Barbara County are not shown.
Santa Barbara County Satellite TV & Internet Providers
DISH Satellite TV
DIRECTV Satellite TV
Not sure whether to choose Dish or DIRECTV? For most people most of the time we recommend DISH. But click here to learn more.
HughesNet Satellite Internet
Where in Santa Barbara County is internet available?
Internet Availability Key
Internet service is available in 99.54% of Santa Barbara County. Areas in green are more likely to have fiber, cable, DSL, or fixed wireless internet service. Areas in red may be more reliant on satellite service. The most widely available provider is Frontier. Call one of the companies with service in Santa Barbara County above to see who has service at your home, or click the technology to see where it can be found in Santa Barbara County.
How fast are internet speeds in Santa Barbara County?
The map below shows maximum internet speeds by area in Santa Barbara County.
Internet Speed Key
The average Santa Barbara County home can get up to 939 Mbps on their internet plan. For most people, the fastest download speed in the county is 2,000 Mbps, which less than 1% of residents can get. Some homes and apartments do not have access to these speeds. On the slower end, for example, less than 1% of homes can only purchase plans up to 0.77 Mbps. See the internet provider details below for info about their speed and coverage in Santa Barbara County.
Internet speeds tend to be faster in the northwest parts of Santa Barbara County, and slower in the northeast areas of the county.
What type of internet should I choose in Santa Barbara County?
The fastest internet for you may vary based on where in Santa Barbara County you live. If speed is your main concern, cable will be the fastest internet in the county.
- Fiber is the fastest internet type for 1.22% of Santa Barbara County homes.
- Cable is fastest for 93.63% of the county.
- DSL is fastest for 2.94%.
- Fixed wireless is fastest for 1.75%.
- Satellite internet may be the only option for less than 1% of Santa Barbara County homes.
Internet Market Health in Santa Barbara County
Internet Competition Key
The map shows how competitive the Santa Barbara County internet service market is. Areas in green have more alternatives, areas in yellow have a few choices, and areas in red may have only one provider. More competition usually means faster speeds and better prices for you, the customer.
Below are quick facts on internet competition and market health in Santa Barbara County based on what connections the average home has availabile:
- Average number of internet service providers to a home: 2.4 (very unhealthy)
- Average types of service (fiber, cable, DSL, etc): 2.4 (unhealthy)
- Average providers with broadband (25 Mbps+) speeds: 1.7 (unhealthy)
Overall, competition is unhealthy.
Santa Barbara County internet customers have the ability to buy internet service from 1 to 6 different providers, depending on where they live. For different types of service, Santa Barbara County homes have between 1 and 4 options. The type(s) of service available are dsl, cable, fixed wireless, and fiber, though these may vary depending on the region within the county.
When it comes to broadband download speeds faster than 25 Mbps, the situation is worse. Santa Barbara County internet customers who want faster speeds have between 0 and 5 choices of companies offering speeds up to or over 25 Mbps.
More internet companies with faster speeds means fewer monopolies and better prices for customers. In promoting a free market for internet, Santa Barbara County needs improvement.
TV & Internet Providers in Depth
Below you'll find which TV and internet providers offer service in Santa Barbara County, along with details on where in Santa Barbara County and at what speeds.
Earthlink DSL in Santa Barbara County, CA
Earthlink DSL coverage
About 98.47%, or 417,403 people, have Earthlink DSL internet available to them in the county. The company covers the southeast, northwest, west, north, central, south, and east Santa Barbara County area. Earthlink is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Santa Barbara County.
Earthlink DSL download speeds
Earthlink is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Santa Barbara County. Versus other DSL providers in the area, Earthlink DSL is the fastest. There are 11 different maximum speeds throughout Santa Barbara County. The fastest plan anyone in Santa Barbara County can order from Earthlink goes up to 115 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 1.0 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Santa Barbara County customers is up to 23 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 3.5% up to 115.0 Mbps
- 2.8% up to 90.0 Mbps
- 2.1% up to 70.0 Mbps
- 2.6% up to 45.0 Mbps
- 14.7% up to 25.0 Mbps
- 27.9% up to 18.0 Mbps
- 37.1% up to 12.0 Mbps
- 1.8% up to 9.0 Mbps
- 4.6% up to 6.0 Mbps
- 2.6% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 0.3% up to 1.0 Mbps
Earthlink DSL upload speeds
In Santa Barbara County download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Earthlink DSL. Compared to other ISPs, Earthlink is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Santa Barbara County DSL providers. Earthlink offers 7 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Santa Barbara County is up to 7.0 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 0.13 Mbps. On average, Earthlink customers can get speeds up to 1.5 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 3.5% up to 7.0 Mbps
- 2.8% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 4.7% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 14.7% up to 2.0 Mbps
- 71.4% up to 1.0 Mbps
- 2.6% up to 0.4 Mbps
- 0.3% up to 0.1 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast Cable in Santa Barbara County, CA
XFINITY cable coverage
About 47.03%, or 199,340 people, have XFINITY cable internet available to them in the county. The company covers the northwest, west, north, and central Santa Barbara County area. XFINITY is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in some of Santa Barbara County.
XFINITY from Comcast cable download speeds
XFINITY is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Santa Barbara County. Versus other cable providers in the area, XFINITY cable is the fastest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Santa Barbara County. The fastest plan anyone in Santa Barbara County can order from XFINITY goes up to 1,000 Mbps, and all Santa Barbara County customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast cable upload speeds
In Santa Barbara County download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for XFINITY cable. Compared to other ISPs, XFINITY is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Santa Barbara County cable providers. XFINITY offers no different upload speeds across the county. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Santa Barbara County is up to 35 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 35.0 Mbps
Cox Communications Cable in Santa Barbara County, CA
Cox cable coverage
About 45.48%, or 192,775 people, have Cox cable internet available to them in the county. The company covers the southeast and south Santa Barbara County area. Cox is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in some of Santa Barbara County.
Cox Communications cable download speeds
Cox is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Santa Barbara County. Versus other cable providers in the area, Cox cable is above average. There are 2 different maximum speeds throughout Santa Barbara County. The fastest plan anyone in Santa Barbara County can order from Cox goes up to 1,000 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 300 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Santa Barbara County customers is up to 964 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 94.8% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
- 5.2% up to 300.0 Mbps
Cox Communications cable upload speeds
In Santa Barbara County download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Cox cable. Compared to other ISPs, Cox is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Santa Barbara County cable providers. Cox offers 2 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Santa Barbara County is up to 35 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 30 Mbps. On average, Cox customers can get speeds up to 35 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 94.8% up to 35.0 Mbps
- 5.2% up to 30.0 Mbps
Frontier Communications Fiber in Santa Barbara County, CA
Frontier fiber coverage
About 3.24%, or 13,722 people, have Frontier fiber internet available to them in the county. The company covers the northwest, north, central, and west Santa Barbara County area. Frontier is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Santa Barbara County.
Frontier Communications fiber download speeds
Frontier is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Santa Barbara County. Versus other fiber providers in the area, Frontier fiber is the slowest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Santa Barbara County. The fastest plan anyone in Santa Barbara County can order from Frontier goes up to 115 Mbps, and all Santa Barbara County customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 115.0 Mbps
Frontier Communications fiber upload speeds
In Santa Barbara County download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Frontier fiber. Compared to other ISPs, Frontier is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the slowest compared to other Santa Barbara County fiber providers. Frontier offers no different upload speeds across the county. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Santa Barbara County is up to 115 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 115.0 Mbps
Impulse DSL in Santa Barbara County, CA
Impulse DSL coverage
About 1.74%, or 7,358 people, have Impulse DSL internet available to them in the county. The company covers the southeast, west, north, central, and northwest Santa Barbara County area. Impulse is an average-sized internet service provider internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Santa Barbara County.
Impulse DSL download speeds
Impulse is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Santa Barbara County. Versus other DSL providers in the area, Impulse DSL is below average. There are 5 different maximum speeds throughout Santa Barbara County. The fastest plan anyone in Santa Barbara County can order from Impulse goes up to 30 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 1.5 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Santa Barbara County customers is up to 12 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 5.2% up to 30.0 Mbps
- 8.1% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 5.0% up to 15.0 Mbps
- 77.4% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 4.3% up to 1.5 Mbps
Impulse DSL upload speeds
In Santa Barbara County download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Impulse DSL. Compared to other ISPs, Impulse is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Santa Barbara County DSL providers. Impulse offers 4 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Santa Barbara County is up to 10 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 1.5 Mbps. On average, Impulse customers can get speeds up to 8.2 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 77.7% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 4.4% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 13.5% up to 2.0 Mbps
- 4.3% up to 1.5 Mbps
Spectrum Cable in Santa Barbara County, CA
Spectrum cable coverage
About 1.67%, or 7,095 people, have Spectrum cable internet available to them in the county. The company covers the northwest Santa Barbara County area. Spectrum is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Santa Barbara County.
Spectrum cable download speeds
Spectrum is above average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Santa Barbara County. Versus other cable providers in the area, Spectrum cable is above average. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Santa Barbara County. The fastest plan anyone in Santa Barbara County can order from Spectrum goes up to 940 Mbps, and all Santa Barbara County customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 940.0 Mbps
Spectrum cable upload speeds
In Santa Barbara County download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Spectrum cable. Compared to other ISPs, Spectrum is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Santa Barbara County cable providers. Spectrum offers no different upload speeds across the county. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Santa Barbara County is up to 35 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 35.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet in Santa Barbara County, CA
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless coverage
About 33.03%, or 140,003 people, have T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the southeast, north, northwest, west, central, south, and east Santa Barbara County area. T-Mobile Home Internet is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a small portion of Santa Barbara County.
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless download speeds
T-Mobile Home Internet is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Santa Barbara County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless is below average. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Santa Barbara County. The fastest plan anyone in Santa Barbara County can order from T-Mobile Home Internet goes up to 25 Mbps, and all Santa Barbara County customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 25.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless upload speeds
In Santa Barbara County download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, T-Mobile Home Internet is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the slowest compared to other Santa Barbara County fixed wireless providers. T-Mobile Home Internet offers no different upload speeds across the county. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Santa Barbara County is up to 3.0 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 3.0 Mbps
Peak Wifi Fixed Wireless in Santa Barbara County, CA
Peak Wifi fixed wireless coverage
About 6.60%, or 27,974 people, have Peak Wifi fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the northwest and north Santa Barbara County area. Peak Wifi is a large internet service provider internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Santa Barbara County.
Peak Wifi fixed wireless download speeds
Peak Wifi is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Santa Barbara County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Peak Wifi fixed wireless is below average. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Santa Barbara County. The fastest plan anyone in Santa Barbara County can order from Peak Wifi goes up to 100 Mbps, and all Santa Barbara County customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 100.0 Mbps
Peak Wifi fixed wireless upload speeds
In Santa Barbara County download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Peak Wifi fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, Peak Wifi is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Santa Barbara County fixed wireless providers. Peak Wifi offers no different upload speeds across the county. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Santa Barbara County is up to 100 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 100.0 Mbps
Advanced Wireless Fixed Wireless in Santa Barbara County, CA
Advanced Wireless fixed wireless coverage
About 3.05%, or 12,915 people, have Advanced Wireless fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the central, north, northwest, southeast, and west Santa Barbara County area. Advanced Wireless is an average-sized internet service provider internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Santa Barbara County.
Advanced Wireless fixed wireless download speeds
Advanced Wireless is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Santa Barbara County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Advanced Wireless fixed wireless is below average. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Santa Barbara County. The fastest plan anyone in Santa Barbara County can order from Advanced Wireless goes up to 25 Mbps, and all Santa Barbara County customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 25.0 Mbps
Advanced Wireless fixed wireless upload speeds
In Santa Barbara County download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Advanced Wireless fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, Advanced Wireless is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Santa Barbara County fixed wireless providers. Advanced Wireless offers no different upload speeds across the county. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Santa Barbara County is up to 5.0 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 5.0 Mbps
Impulse Fixed Wireless in Santa Barbara County, CA
Impulse fixed wireless coverage
About 1.71%, or 7,238 people, have Impulse fixed wireless internet available to them in the county. The company covers the central, southeast, west, and south Santa Barbara County area. Impulse is an average-sized internet service provider internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a very small piece of Santa Barbara County.
Impulse fixed wireless download speeds
Impulse is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Santa Barbara County. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Impulse fixed wireless is below average. There are 10 different maximum speeds throughout Santa Barbara County. The fastest plan anyone in Santa Barbara County can order from Impulse goes up to 50 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 0.38 Mbps, and the county-wide average maximum speed for Santa Barbara County customers is up to 23 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 2.6% up to 50.0 Mbps
- 0.2% up to 40.0 Mbps
- 6.8% up to 30.0 Mbps
- 70.0% up to 25.0 Mbps
- 7.0% up to 15.0 Mbps
- 1.0% up to 8.0 Mbps
- 4.4% up to 6.0 Mbps
- 4.7% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 1.7% up to 0.8 Mbps
- 1.7% up to 0.4 Mbps
Impulse fixed wireless upload speeds
In Santa Barbara County download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Impulse fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, Impulse is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Santa Barbara County fixed wireless providers. Impulse offers 9 different upload speeds across the county, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Santa Barbara County is up to 50 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 0.38 Mbps. On average, Impulse customers can get speeds up to 9.8 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 2.6% up to 50.0 Mbps
- 0.2% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 2.7% up to 15.0 Mbps
- 74.0% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 11.7% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 1.0% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 4.4% up to 1.0 Mbps
- 1.7% up to 0.8 Mbps
- 1.7% up to 0.4 Mbps
Santa Barbara County Internet by Area
This information is most helpful to those looking for homes or considering moving to Santa Barbara County or any of the areas nearby.
How does internet in Santa Barbara County compare to the rest of California?
Internet speeds in Santa Barbara County are comparable versus the average speeds in California: 949 Mbps in California versus 939 Mbps in the county. The state has similar internet availability compared to the county. Average internet coverage in California is 99.64% versus 99.54% in Santa Barbara County.
What zip codes have widespread internet?
Internet coverage varies by zip code and neighborhood. Some examples in or around Santa Barbara County are shown below. You can enter any zip code here to see TV and internet providers by zip code.
What does internet service look like in other counties?
Below are counties nearby and with similar populations. This comparison can be useful if living somewhere with fast internet is important to you.
Nearby Counties
- San Luis Obispo County, CA: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Ventura County, CA: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Kern County, CA: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Kings County, CA: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Los Angeles County, CA: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Tulare County, CA: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Fresno County, CA: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Monterey County, CA: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Orange County, CA: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- San Benito County, CA: more internet coverage, slower speeds
Counties with Similar Populations
- Solano County, CA: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Ada County, ID: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Cameron County, TX: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Lucas County, OH: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Monterey County, CA: less internet coverage, slower speeds
- Dakota County, MN: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Genesee County, MI: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Jefferson Parish, LA: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- York County, PA: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Washoe County, NV: more internet coverage, faster speeds