Best Internet Providers in Rio Rancho, New Mexico
What is the best internet provider in Rio Rancho?
Looking for internet options in Rio Rancho, New Mexico? It may be harder than you think, but our broadband experts are here to help you choose the best internet provider for you. There are limited options for high-speed internet in Rio Rancho, so the best provider for your home will likely depend on what’s available in your area. CNET has selected Brilliant light as the best internet provider for most residents of Rio Ranchobecause it is the cable internet provider with the best high-speed coverage in the region.
Sparklight stands out for its speed and affordability, making it a solid choice if it’s available at your address. With service starting at $35 per month and speeds ranging from 300 to 940 megabits per second, Sparklight is both the cheapest internet provider and the fastest in Rio Rancho.
Quantum Fiber is comparable to Sparklight in download speeds with its 940Mbps plan and has the advantage of symmetrical upload speeds, but availability is very limited. Lumen Technologies’ CenturyLink brand has better coverage in the area, although speeds on its DSL network are much slower than Sparklight’s.
T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet are the best fixed wireless ISPs in Rio Rancho, but NM Surf may also be a viable option. Other fixed wireless ISPs serve the Rio Rancho area, but their speeds are too slow and their prices are too high for the speeds you get here to recommend them.
Best internet in Rio Rancho, New Mexico
Rio Rancho, New Mexico, Internet Providers Compared
| Supplier | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink Read the full review | DSL | $55 | 20-100 Mbps | $15 (optional) | No | No | 6.7 |
| NM surfing | Fixed wireless connection | $70-$110 | 100-400 Mbps | $5 | No | 1-2 years | n/a |
| Quantum fiber | Fiber | $50-$75 | 500-940 Mbps | No | No | No | 6.7 |
| Brilliant light Read the full review | Cable | $50-$70 | 100-940 Mbps | $13 (optional) | 5TB soft limit | No | 6.9 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50 ($30 with qualifying mobile plans) | 72-245 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $60-$80 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Rio Rancho?
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sparklight Freedom Connect 300 Read the full review | $35 | 300 Mbps | $13 (optional) |
| Quantum Fiber 500 | $50 | 500 Mbps | No |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($30 with qualifying mobile plans) | 245 Mbps | No |
| Sparklight Freedom Connect 600 Read the full review | $55 | 600 Mbps | $13 (optional) |
| CenturyLink Internet Read the full review | $55 | 100 Mbps | $15 (optional) |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | $60 ($35 with qualifying mobile plans) | 300 Mbps | No |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to Find Online Deals and Promotions in Rio Rancho
The best internet deals and top promotions in Rio Rancho depend on what discounts are available at the time. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly search for the latest offers.
Internet providers in Rio Rancho, such as Sparklight, may offer lower introductory prices for a limited time. Many providers, including CenturyLink and Quantum Fiber, maintain the same standard prices year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all promotions, check out our guide to the best online deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Rio Rancho
| Plan | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data limit | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review | $80 ($45 with qualifying mobile plans) | 1,000 Mbps | 75 Mbps | No | Fixed wireless connection |
| Sparklight 1 Gig Read the full review | $65 | 940 Mbps | 50 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Quantum fiber | €75 | 940 Mbps | 940 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Sparklight Freedom Connect 600 Read the full review | $55 | 600 Mbps | 30 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Quantum Fiber 500 | $50 | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($30 with qualifying mobile plans) | 245 Mbps | 31 Mbps | No | Fixed wireless connection |
| NM Surf Tsunami Wave | $70 | 100 Mbps | 25 Mbps | No | Fixed wireless connection |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet plans now can handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that’s suitable for video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s a look at the recommended minimum download speeds for different applications, according to the FCCPlease note that these are guidelines only and that Internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, check out our guide to how much internet speed you really need.
- With 0 to 5 Mbps you can perform basic tasks: surfing the web, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality videos.
- 5 to 40 Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should provide enough bandwidth for a single user to meet the demands of modern teleworking, video streaming, and online gaming.
- With 100 to 500 Mbps, one or two users can simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- With 500 to 1,000 Mbps, three or more users can participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET Chose the Best Internet Providers in Rio Rancho
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen utensil, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So how do we do it? We start by examining pricing, availability, and speed information based on our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
And it doesn’t stop there: We go to the FCC website to check our data and make sure we account for every ISP that offers service in an area. We also enter local addresses into carrier websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power to evaluate how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and pricing are subject to frequent change; all information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask ourselves three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get value for their money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to these questions are often multi-layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” to all three questions are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fees, though we also consider things like price increases, equipment costs, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds, and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla And FCC Reports.
If you would like to take a more detailed look at our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Rio Rancho
What is the best internet provider in Rio Rancho, New Mexico?
Sparklight is the best internet provider in Rio Rancho. High speed is Sparklight’s main selling point in the region. However, the ISP also stands out from the competition with its low introductory prices and selection of speeds ranging from 300 to 940 Mbps.
Is fiber optic internet available in Rio Rancho?
Fiber optic internet is available to select households in Rio Rancho. According to the most recent FCC Data (December 2023), only about 3% of Rio Rancho residents are eligible for fiber internet. 2, an encouraging sign that fiber availability is growing in the area. Quantum Fiber is the primary fiber internet provider in the Rio Rancho area.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Rio Rancho?
Sparklight has the lowest introductory broadband rates in Rio Rancho, with service starting at $35 per month for download speeds of up to 300 Mbps. Other Sparklight plans, 600 and 940 Mbps, are also competitively priced (starting at $55 and $65 per month, respectively). Sparklight rates are valid for 18 months, after which prices increase by $15 to $25, depending on the plan you choose. Note that renting equipment from Sparklight will add $13 to your monthly bill.
Which internet provider in Rio Rancho offers the fastest plan?
Sparklight and Quantum Fiber offer the fastest internet plans in Rio Rancho, with speeds up to 940 Mbps. Quantum Fiber has the advantage of symmetrical upload and download speeds, but Sparklight has significantly greater availability in the area and lower introductory prices ($65 compared to $75 with Quantum Fiber).
Verizon 5G Home Internet offers the highest maximum speed of 1,000 Mbps, but actual speeds are likely much lower, as the Home Plus plan advertises a range between 85 and 1,000 Mbps.
