Which is better, Rise Broadband or Cal.net?

Rise Broadband is faster and available to more people. They do not serve the same areas, so you will not usually choose between them.

FasterRise BroadbandTop speed 10,000 Mbps vs 1,000 Mbps.

Cheaper to startToo close to callWe do not list plans for both yet.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (18 and 3).

Available to more peopleRise Broadband14.3 million people in 16 states, vs 4.2 million in 1 state.

Rise Broadband
Price: $29.99 - $79.99 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (18)
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Cal.net
Price: Unavailable, please see site for details
Speed: 100 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless
Rating (Reviews): (3)
View Plans

Rise Broadband vs. Cal.net at a glance

Measure	Rise Broadband	Cal.net
Available to	14.3 million people in 16 states	4.2 million people in 1 state
Main technology	Fixed wireless 97%, fiber 7.3%	Fixed wireless 100%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	10,000 Mbps	1,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	1,000 Mbps	Not listed
Starting price	$29.99 a month	Not listed
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$720 (150 Mbps plan)	Not listed
Customer rating	2.9 of 5 (18 reviews)	4.0 of 5 (3 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.0 of 5	3.3 of 5
Rated for price	2.9 of 5	4.3 of 5

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where Rise Broadband and Cal.net are available

Rise Broadband and Cal.net have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Rise Broadband currently offers internet service in 3,003 cities and 347 counties across 16 states, reaching approximately 13,973,991 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; and Salt Lake City, UT. By comparison, Cal.net serves 4,177,992 residents in 338 cities and 27 counties in 1 state, with a presence in population centers such as Sacramento, CA; Fresno, CA; and Stockton, CA.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Rise Broadband, Cal.net or both are offered at your home.

Rise Broadband vs. Cal.net Speeds and Technology

Rise Broadband and Cal.net utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Cal.net offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 100 Mbps compared to Rise Broadband’s average speed of 98 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Rise Broadband’s premium Fiber service reaches 2.0% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Cal.net’s top-tier Fiber is available to 0.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Rise Broadband vs. Cal.net Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Rise Broadband, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table. Unfortunately, Cal.net has not complied with FCC requirements to provide their broadband label data, limiting transparency and the ability for consumers to make direct comparisons.

If you represent Cal.net, getting listed is simple: publish your machine-readable broadband label file, or send your current plan lineup through our contact page, and your plans will appear here shortly after verification.

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

Rise Broadband vs. Cal.net Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Rise Broadband and Cal.net based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, Rise Broadband earns an overall rating of 2.89 / 5 stars from 18 customer reviews, while Cal.net maintains a 4.00 / 5 rating from 3 reviews. Cal.net outperforms Rise Broadband by 1.1 points in overall satisfaction. Rise Broadband’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.33 / 5 stars, compared to Cal.net’s highest-rated service, Fixed Wireless, at 4.00 / 5 stars.

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

Rise Broadband vs. Cal.net Pros and Cons

Rise Broadband

From 14 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Good value: praised in 3 of 14 written reviews. "The speed is decent for the price"
• Available to more people: 14.3 million in 16 states, vs 4.2 million.

Cons

• Outages and drops: a complaint in 7 of 14 written reviews (3 call it reliable). "repeated major multi-day outages and rampant instances of almost constant minor signal cut-out"

Cal.net

Too few written reviews to sum up yet (3); these lines come from our data.

Pros

Cons

Rise Broadband vs. Cal.net Top Cities

Rise Broadband serves 3,003 cities while Cal.net is available in 338 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.