Bakersfield Broadband Speeds Rank Top 50 US

Bakersfield’s broadband speeds now rank among the top 50 in the United States, with median fixed download speeds of 352.25 Mbps and uploads near 31.22 Mbps, according to recent Speedtest data. The city’s connectivity infrastructure, anchored by AT&T Fiber and Spectrum, has positioned it as a viable place for remote work and tech startups, though the local startup scene remains nascent compared to coastal tech hubs.

A foundation for startups

Every household in Bakersfield has access to at least one broadband plan meeting the FCC baseline of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload, BroadbandNow reports. AT&T Fiber covers roughly 77 to 79 percent of residents with speeds up to 5,000 Mbps (5 Gig), while Spectrum provides cable service up to 1 to 2 Gbps to between 73 and 92.8 percent of households, depending on the neighborhood. This fiber-rich coverage is the kind of backbone that tech founders and remote teams need, and it's already attracting attention from companies looking for lower overheads than the Bay Area or Los Angeles.

Local players and practical options

For residents and entrepreneurs evaluating internet choices, AT&T Fiber is the top-rated provider due to its symmetrical speeds and reliability. Spectrum offers a solid cable alternative, particularly in areas where fiber hasn't yet been trenched. The entry-level plans from these providers start at competitive rates, though exact pricing varies by address and promotional period. Businesses along Truxtun Avenue and in the downtown corridor will find fiber availability strong, while newer subdivisions in the southwest are also well-served.

Closing the digital divide

Efforts to expand fiber access in Kern County continue, with companies looking to close the digital divide in underserved parts of the region. While Bakersfield itself is well-connected at the citywide level, some rural communities nearby still lack comparable speeds. The push for universal fiber is seen as critical for supporting local startups that rely on cloud computing, video conferencing, and data-heavy workflows. Without robust upload speeds, where Bakersfield's median of about 31 Mbps still lags behind the download performance, video calls and file sharing can be sluggish for small teams.

For now, the city's broadband strength offers a practical advantage for anyone launching or scaling a digital business here. Combined with relatively affordable commercial real estate near the Kern River Parkway and a growing co-working presence, Bakersfield is quietly becoming a place where a startup can survive without burning venture capital on rent. The next step will be translating infrastructure into a visible tech community with regular meetups, hackathons, and investor events, something that still needs to be built.