Scottsdale’s Broadband Landscape: Cable, Fiber, and 5G

As a city known for upscale living and high-tech amenities, Scottsdale places a strong emphasis on internet reliability. Its main wired providers are Cox Communications and CenturyLink (Quantum Fiber). Cox’s cable lines reach virtually every corner of the city, from densely populated Old Town apartments to luxury hillside homes near Pinnacle Peak. Offering speeds up to 1 Gbps download, Cox has historically been the default choice for many residents, bundling internet with cable TV. However, cable upload speeds remain at ~35 Mbps max, which may hinder heavy content creators or frequent video conferences.

CenturyLink offers DSL in older sections, typically delivering 20–100 Mbps depending on copper line distance. Far more compelling is CenturyLink’s fiber (also branded Quantum Fiber), available in an expanding patchwork of neighborhoods. Fiber coverage is especially prevalent in newly built luxury subdivisions and some central zones. Fiber’s symmetrical speeds—up to 940 Mbps both up and down—deliver a smooth experience for telehealth, remote work, and 4K streaming. Availability, though, varies significantly block by block. If you’re in a fiber-ready zone, CenturyLink stands out as a strong competitor to Cox, often priced comparably with no data caps or contracts.

On the wireless side, T-Mobile 5G Home Internet has gained traction throughout Scottsdale. With the city’s mostly flat valleys and strong mid-band 5G presence near major roads, many homes can see 100–200 Mbps download speeds wirelessly. Verizon 5G Home is also an option, often hitting ~300 Mbps in Ultra Wideband areas like south Scottsdale or near the Loop 101 corridor. These wireless providers attract residents averse to annual contracts or equipment fees, though speeds can fluctuate based on tower congestion. Still, for moderate streaming and everyday usage, 5G solutions can be quite seamless.

A few smaller niche ISPs (like Wyyerd Fiber or fixed wireless operators) have dabbled in sections of greater Phoenix, but Scottsdale sees minimal coverage from them. The top players remain Cox, CenturyLink, and the 5G carriers. Overall, local consumer reports rank the city’s connectivity as excellent, with only occasional pockets on the outskirts awaiting fiber expansions or dealing with older DSL lines. Many residents enjoy choosing between multiple gigabit options—a rarity in some U.S. cities but increasingly common in affluent tech-oriented places like Scottsdale.

Business Internet in Scottsdale

From Old Town’s tourism-centric boutiques to North Scottsdale’s corporate offices, businesses here demand top-notch internet. Cox Business offers coax-based plans up to 1 Gbps and dedicated fiber lines (1–10 Gbps) for enterprises needing guaranteed uptime. CenturyLink Business Fiber similarly provides symmetrical speeds plus advanced services like MPLS or SD-WAN for multi-location connectivity. In business districts like the Scottsdale Airpark, you’ll often find multiple fiber providers, sometimes including Zayo or Lumen for dedicated enterprise solutions. Smaller shops often pick cable business plans due to quick setup and cheaper monthly rates, while large offices invest in dedicated fiber loops. Also, some local businesses adopt 5G as a secondary or failover connection. For more insights on commercial solutions, see 5 Factors to Consider When Choosing an ISP for business.