Affordable Internet in Texas: Best Low-Cost Plans for 2026
Texas is the second-largest state in the country — and that size comes with a real broadband problem. About 7% of Texans still lack access to reliable high-speed internet, and in rural and West Texas, that number climbs much higher. The end of the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) in 2024 hurt a lot of households who were counting on that discount. The good news: multiple carrier-run low-income programs are still available statewide, federal Lifeline discounts still apply, and $3.3 billion in BEAD construction funding is on its way to the state.
This page breaks down every program available to Texans right now, who qualifies, what it actually costs, and what's on the horizon for the millions of homes that still don't have a real option.
Quick Answer: Best Low-Cost Internet Options in Texas
- Xfinity Internet Essentials — $9.95/month (75 Mbps): Best deal if you're in an Xfinity service area (Houston, DFW, and parts of Central Texas). Stack with Lifeline and pay as little as $0.70/month.
- Cox Connect2Compete — $9.95/month: Great choice for Dallas-area households with school-age kids who receive SNAP or TANF.
- Spectrum Internet Assist — $25/month (50 Mbps): Available through much of San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin for SSI recipients (65+) or households on NSLP/CEP.
- AT&T Access — $30/month (100 Mbps): Widest eligibility and one of the fastest low-income speeds available. Works for SNAP, NSLP, and income-based qualification.
Texas Low-Income Internet Plans: Side-by-Side Comparison
| Provider | Program Name | Monthly Price | Speed | Who Qualifies | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | AT&T Access | $30/mo | 100 Mbps | SNAP, NSLP, or income ≤200% FPL | att.com/internet/accessplan or 855-220-5211 |
| Xfinity (Comcast) | Internet Essentials | $9.95/mo | 75 Mbps | SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance, NSLP, Pell Grant | xfinity.com/ie or 1-855-846-8376 |
| Spectrum | Internet Assist | $25/mo | 50 Mbps | NSLP/CEP participant or SSI recipient age 65+ | Call 1-866-960-1754 |
| Cox | Connect2Compete | $9.95/mo | Standard | K-12 student in household + SNAP, TANF, or public housing | Call 1-800-234-3993 |
| Federal Lifeline | Lifeline | $9.25/mo discount | Varies by carrier | SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, FPHA, Veterans pension | lifelinesupport.org |
All prices as of April 2026. Service availability varies by address — check at FreeConnect.us to confirm what's offered at your location.
Program Details: What You Need to Know About Each Option
AT&T Access — $30/month for 100 Mbps
AT&T Access is one of the most widely available low-income internet programs in Texas, covering large swaths of Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and the surrounding suburbs. At 100 Mbps, it's the fastest plan on this list and handles video calls, streaming, homework, and remote work without issue.
Price: $30/month
Speed: 100 Mbps download
Contract: No annual contract required
Equipment fees: None
Deposit: None
Who qualifies: Your household needs to receive SNAP (food stamps), be enrolled in the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), or have a total household income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. That income threshold works out to about $31,200/year for a single person or $64,200 for a family of four in 2026.
How to apply: Visit att.com/internet/accessplan or call 855-220-5211. You'll need to verify your qualifying program enrollment or income documentation.
Xfinity Internet Essentials — $9.95/month for 75 Mbps
Internet Essentials from Xfinity is the most price-accessible plan in Texas for households in Xfinity's coverage footprint. At $9.95/month, it covers basic streaming, video calls, and remote schoolwork. And when you stack it with Lifeline (more on that below), you can bring your net cost down dramatically.
Price: $9.95/month
Speed: 75 Mbps download
Contract: None
Equipment: No equipment rental fees
Who qualifies: Households receiving SNAP, Medicaid, housing assistance (Section 8/HUD), the National School Lunch Program, or a Federal Pell Grant. Xfinity's eligibility list is broader than most carriers, so even if you're not sure you qualify, it's worth checking.
How to apply: Visit xfinity.com/ie or call 1-855-846-8376. Xfinity operates primarily in the Houston metro, parts of Dallas-Fort Worth, and Central Texas — not statewide.
Spectrum Internet Assist — $25/month for 50 Mbps
Spectrum Internet Assist is available in Spectrum's Texas coverage areas, which includes parts of San Antonio, Dallas, Fort Worth, and Austin. The eligibility requirements are narrower than other programs — you need to be on SSI and age 65 or older, or have a child enrolled in the National School Lunch Program under the Community Eligibility Provision (CEP).
Price: $25/month
Speed: 50 Mbps download
Contract: None
Equipment: No equipment fees
Who qualifies: Households with at least one member who receives Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and is age 65 or older, or households with a K-12 student enrolled in a school participating in NSLP's Community Eligibility Provision.
How to apply: Call Spectrum directly at 1-866-960-1754. Online applications are not currently available for this program.
Cox Connect2Compete — $9.95/month
Cox Connect2Compete is specifically designed for families with school-age children. If you have a K-12 student at home and receive qualifying government assistance, this plan costs $9.95/month with no contract and no data caps.
Price: $9.95/month
Speed: Standard residential speeds
Contract: None
Data caps: None
Who qualifies: Your household must have at least one K-12 student, and you must receive SNAP, TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families), or participate in federal public housing assistance. Cox primarily serves the Dallas-Fort Worth metro in Texas.
How to apply: Call Cox at 1-800-234-3993. You'll be asked to verify program enrollment and provide documentation of your K-12 student's enrollment.
Lifeline: Stack Your Discount to Lower Your Bill Even Further
Lifeline is a federal program that provides a $9.25/month discount on phone or internet service to qualifying low-income households. Texas also has a state Lifeline supplement that adds to the federal $9.25 for eligible phone and internet accounts.
Who qualifies for Lifeline:
- SNAP (food stamps)
- Medicaid
- Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
- Federal Public Housing Assistance (Section 8)
- Veterans pension or survivor's benefit
- Tribal households: enhanced benefit of $34.25/month
The stacking math — here's where it gets interesting:
| Plan | Base Price | Lifeline Discount | Net Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Xfinity Internet Essentials | $9.95 | −$9.25 | $0.70/month |
| Cox Connect2Compete | $9.95 | −$9.25 | $0.70/month |
| Spectrum Internet Assist | $25.00 | −$9.25 | $15.75/month |
| AT&T Access | $30.00 | −$9.25 | $20.75/month |
Not every carrier participates in Lifeline for internet (some only apply it to phone), so confirm with your provider when you apply. To apply for Lifeline, visit lifelinesupport.org — the National Verifier will check your eligibility against federal program databases. Once approved, contact your preferred internet provider and ask them to apply the Lifeline discount to your account.
One household, one benefit: Lifeline is limited to one discount per household address, regardless of how many people live there.
What's Coming: Texas BEAD Broadband Buildout
Texas received $3.3 billion in federal BEAD funding — the largest broadband infrastructure investment in state history. The Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) manages the program. NTIA approved Texas's Final Proposal on December 4, 2025, and construction is expected to begin in Summer 2026.
Here's what the buildout will deliver:
| Technology | Locations Served | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber | ~123,000 locations | Dense rural communities, small towns, areas with existing utility infrastructure |
| LEO Satellite (e.g., Starlink) | ~66,000 locations | Extremely remote areas where trenching fiber is cost-prohibitive |
| Fixed Wireless | ~54,000 locations | Mid-range rural communities with line-of-sight tower coverage |
In total, 22 subgrantees will cover 240,000+ unserved and underserved locations across Texas. Priority goes to "unserved" locations — those with no broadband at 25/3 Mbps or faster — and then to "underserved" locations lacking 100/20 Mbps service.
Who benefits most: The Rio Grande Valley, West Texas, East Texas's rural counties, the Panhandle, and the Edwards Plateau region all have significant concentrations of unserved households. If you live in these areas and currently have no wired option, BEAD-funded service could reach your address within the next 1–3 years.
To track which projects are planned near you, check the Texas Broadband Development Office website — they publish subgrantee maps as they're finalized.
Internet Coverage by Region in Texas
Texas is enormous — and internet availability varies wildly depending on where you live.
Urban Texas (Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, Austin)
Residents of the major metro areas have the most options. AT&T, Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, and multiple Lifeline providers all operate here. If you live in one of these cities, you likely qualify for at least two or three of the programs on this page. Check out our city-specific pages for tailored guidance (links at the bottom of this page).
Suburban and Mid-Size Cities
Cities like Lubbock, Amarillo, El Paso, Beaumont, Laredo, and McAllen have partial coverage from AT&T and some regional carriers. AT&T Access tends to have the best penetration here. Lifeline-supported providers can fill gaps where cable or fiber isn't available.
Rural Texas
Rural areas — especially East Texas piney woods, the Hill Country, the Rio Grande Valley, and the Panhandle — often have limited or no wired broadband options. Fixed wireless and satellite (Lifeline-eligible plans) are frequently the only realistic options right now. BEAD construction will change this landscape starting in 2026, but buildout will take time.
West Texas and the Big Bend Region
This is the most challenging area in the state for broadband access. Population density is extremely low, distances are vast, and wired infrastructure is sparse. For these households, Lifeline-supported LEO satellite is currently the most viable option. BEAD has earmarked satellite technology specifically for locations like these.
Devices: Getting a Computer If You Need One
Internet access doesn't help much without a device. Here are organizations that serve Texans who need affordable or low-cost computers:
- PCs for People: Sells refurbished desktops and laptops at heavily reduced prices (typically $75–$150) to households at or below 200% FPL or enrolled in qualifying programs. They ship to Texas and have distribution partners across the state. Visit pcsforpeople.org.
- EveryoneOn: A nonprofit that helps low-income households find both affordable internet and low-cost devices. Use their search tool at everyoneon.org to find deals in your area.
- Texas school districts: Many Texas ISDs have surplus device programs or partnerships with nonprofit refurbishers. Contact your local district's technology office to ask about available equipment.
- Local libraries: Every Texas public library system offers free computer and internet access. The Texas State Library and Archives Commission maintains a statewide library locator at tsl.texas.gov.
Step-by-Step: How to Get Low-Cost Internet in Texas
- Check your address at FreeConnect.us. Start at FreeConnect.us and enter your address. This shows which providers actually serve your specific location — not just your city or zip code. What's available two streets over might not be available at your house.
- Check your program eligibility. Look through the programs above and identify which ones you qualify for based on your household's current benefits (SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, NSLP, housing assistance, etc.).
- Apply for Lifeline first if you qualify. Go to lifelinesupport.org and complete the National Verifier application. Approval is typically instant if your benefits are in federal databases.
- Apply to your chosen provider. Use the phone numbers or URLs listed in this guide. Have your benefit enrollment documentation ready — a SNAP card, benefit letter, or benefits portal screenshot usually works.
- Ask about stacking Lifeline. When you call or apply online, specifically ask whether the plan is Lifeline-compatible and whether you can apply your Lifeline credit to that account.
- Schedule installation. Most low-income programs offer self-install kits by mail. If you need a technician visit, ask upfront whether there's a fee — most programs waive installation charges.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most affordable internet plan available in Texas right now?
Xfinity Internet Essentials ($9.95/month, 75 Mbps) and Cox Connect2Compete ($9.95/month) are the lowest-priced plans available in their service areas. If you stack either with a Lifeline discount ($9.25/month), your net cost drops to approximately $0.70/month. Not every carrier applies Lifeline to internet service, so confirm when you apply.
Does ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) still exist in Texas?
No. The Affordable Connectivity Program ended in June 2024 when Congress did not renew its funding. The programs listed on this page — AT&T Access, Xfinity Internet Essentials, Spectrum Internet Assist, Cox Connect2Compete, and Lifeline — are all still active and do not depend on ACP.
I live in rural Texas and have no cable or fiber options. What can I do?
Right now, your main options are Lifeline-eligible satellite providers and fixed wireless services where towers are within range. Lifeline's $9.25/month discount applies to many satellite internet plans. Starting Summer 2026, BEAD construction will begin bringing new fiber, fixed wireless, and LEO satellite infrastructure to rural Texas communities. Check your address at FreeConnect.us to see what's currently available.
Can I qualify for more than one low-income internet program?
You can only have one subsidized internet connection per household at a time (one provider). However, if you qualify for Lifeline, you can apply that discount to whichever carrier you choose. So the strategy is to pick the lowest-priced plan you qualify for (like Xfinity Internet Essentials) and then apply Lifeline on top of it.
How long does it take to get approved for these programs?
Lifeline approval through the National Verifier is often instant when your benefits are registered in federal databases. Carrier-specific programs like AT&T Access and Xfinity Internet Essentials typically take 1–5 business days for eligibility verification. Installation can take 1–2 weeks depending on your location and whether a technician visit is required.
Is there income-based qualification for any Texas internet program?
Yes — AT&T Access accepts income-based qualification for households at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), even if you don't receive a specific government benefit. That works out to approximately $31,200/year for a single person or $64,200 for a family of four. Lifeline also accepts income-based qualification at 135% FPL.
Texas City Internet Guides
Looking for information specific to your city? We've put together detailed guides for Texas's largest metros — each one covers local ISP availability, which programs are active in that market, and tips specific to that city's coverage landscape.
- Affordable Internet in Houston — Texas's largest city has strong competition between AT&T and Xfinity, plus multiple Lifeline providers. Read the Houston guide for neighborhood-level availability notes.
- Affordable Internet in Dallas — Dallas has access to AT&T Access, Cox Connect2Compete, and Spectrum Internet Assist. Our Dallas guide breaks down which programs cover which parts of the metro.
- Affordable Internet in Fort Worth — Fort Worth coverage largely mirrors Dallas but with some important differences in AT&T fiber availability. See the Fort Worth guide for details.
- Affordable Internet in San Antonio — San Antonio has solid AT&T and Spectrum coverage, with some of the best Lifeline stacking opportunities in the state. Read the San Antonio guide for the full breakdown.
Bottom Line
Texas has real options for low-income households right now — even with ACP gone. Here's a quick recap of the most important points:
- Xfinity Internet Essentials ($9.95/month) and Cox Connect2Compete ($9.95/month) are the most affordable plans available in their service areas — and stacking with Lifeline brings your bill to near zero.
- AT&T Access ($30/month, 100 Mbps) has the widest Texas coverage and broadest eligibility, including income-based qualification without a specific program enrollment.
- Spectrum Internet Assist ($25/month, 50 Mbps) is a solid option for SSI recipients 65+ and NSLP/CEP households.
- Lifeline ($9.25/month federal discount) can be stacked on top of most of these plans — apply at lifelinesupport.org before signing up with a carrier.
- $3.3 billion in BEAD funding will bring new broadband infrastructure to 240,000+ unserved Texas locations starting Summer 2026, with a mix of fiber, fixed wireless, and LEO satellite.
- Always check your specific address first — coverage boundaries are real, and what's available in your neighbor's house may not be available at yours. Start at FreeConnect.us.