Get free or low-cost internet in Nevada County, California. This guide covers low-cost programs for people with low income, plus a complete list of every internet option available in the area.
Important update (2026): The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ended on June 1, 2024 — there is no longer a $30/month federal broadband discount. The federal Lifeline program (still active, $9.25/month subsidy) and provider-specific low-income plans like AT&T Access ($15–$30/mo) and Comcast Internet Essentials ($9.95/mo) are now the main paths to affordable internet.
Who is this for?Free internet for people with low incomeFederal Lifeline ($9.25/month discount)Low-cost plans for people with low incomeAdditional low-cost optionCalifornia Line Extension Program (LEP)Complete list of internet options in Nevada CountyFiber internet (fastest, most reliable)Cable internetFixed wirelessSatellite internetCellular internet (hotspot)DSL (slowest wired option)Not sure what's available at your address?Broadband news & grantsEspañolRelated guides
Who is this for?
- Low-income households — you may qualify for free internet or big discounts
- Everyone in Nevada County — use the provider tables below to find the best internet option for your address
Free internet for people with low income
If you have a low income or receive benefits like CalFresh, Medi-Cal, or SNAP, you may qualify for free or very cheap internet. Here are your best options:
Federal Lifeline ($9.25/month discount)
Lifeline is the federal subsidy that survived the end of ACP. It cuts $9.25/month off your home internet or phone bill if you're enrolled in SNAP, Medicaid, SSI, federal public housing, veterans pension, or income at or below 135% of federal poverty. Apply once and combine it with any of the plans below.
- Federal application: getinternet.gov
- California LifeLine (combines federal Lifeline with state subsidy): californialifeline.com
Low-cost plans for people with low income
Provider | Type | Monthly cost | Details | Sign up |
AT&T Access ⭐ | DSL/Fiber | $30/mo — or $15/mo where the fastest available speed is under 50 Mbps (less with Lifeline) | SNAP, NSLP, SSI (CA), or income ≤200% poverty. No contract, no deposit, includes Wi-Fi gateway. | |
Comcast Internet Essentials | Cable | $9.95/mo | 50 Mbps. Available in Comcast/Xfinity service areas (Grass Valley, Nevada City, Penn Valley). | |
Treelink | Fixed wireless | $20/mo network + $0.15/GB | Mesh wireless covering hard-to-reach areas near Nevada City. No data caps, no contract. | |
PCs for People | 4G LTE hotspot | Low monthly fee | Unlimited data on T-Mobile (capped speeds after high-speed allotment). Refurbished laptops also available at low cost. | |
T-Mobile Project 10Million (K-12 students only) | Mobile hotspot | Free | Free hotspot + 200GB/year for 5 years for K-12 students in households on NSLP, SNAP, Medicaid, CEP, or FDPIR. |
Additional low-cost option
Provider | Monthly cost | Sign up |
Human-I-T (cellular hotspot) | $15/month | |
Optimum Advantage Internet | $14.99/month |
More low-cost options: Visit cheapinternet.com/low-income-internet for a full list.
California Line Extension Program (LEP)
If no internet reaches your home, the Line Extension Program (LEP) can help pay to bring service to you. Updated rules took effect in November 2025 (CPUC Decision D.25-11-003):
- For income-eligible applicants (qualify for California LifeLine or CARE, or income at or below CARE thresholds): 100% subsidy
- Maximum subsidy: $500 for fixed wireless installations, $9,300 for wireline (fiber/cable/DSL) installations
- Apply through a participating internet provider — they submit the application to the California Public Utilities Commission
Complete list of internet options in Nevada County
Finding reliable internet in Nevada County can be difficult, especially outside the city centers. Below is every known option, sorted by type and speed.
Fiber internet (fastest, most reliable)
Best for: heavy streaming, gaming, working from home, multiple devices
Provider | Service area | Notes | Website |
AT&T ABF | Metro areas | Best option if available (shared fiber) | |
Race Communications | Hwy 174 to Airport, Grass Valley | Well priced, occasional outages | |
Nevada County Fiber | Banner Mountain | Nonprofit. | |
Vast Networks | Various (middle-mile) | Wholesale/business accounts | |
Plumas Sierra | Truckee | ||
The Beckville Network | Newtown Rd. | Nonprofit, uses VAST | N/A |
Coming soon: Spiral Fiber (north of Nevada City), Northern Sierra BBP (Buck Mountain Rd area), Oasis Broadband (Cement Hill), and Gigafy Nevada City are planned but not yet built.
Cable internet
Best for: fast downloads, streaming, general home use
Provider | Service area | Website |
Comcast (Xfinity) | Grass Valley, Nevada City, Penn Valley | |
Optimum (formerly Suddenlink) | Alta Sierra, parts of south county, Truckee |
Fixed wireless
Best for: rural areas without fiber or cable
Provider | Service area | Notes | Website |
Treelink | Outside Nevada City | Mesh network. | |
Digital Path | Western Nevada County (up to 5-Mile House) | No data limits | |
Smarter Broadband | Parts of western Nevada County | ||
GoSkyWest | Lime Kiln, McCourtney, Wolf Rd. area | ||
Colfax, parts of Hwy 174 to Grass Valley | |||
Lake Wildwood area | |||
Exwire | Truckee area |
Satellite internet
Best for: very remote areas with no other options
Provider | Type | Notes | Website |
Starlink ⭐ | Low Earth Orbit | Fast speeds, low latency. May have waitlists. | |
Viasat | Geosynchronous | Higher latency. Also known as Exede or WildBlue. | |
HughesNet | Geosynchronous | Higher latency. |
Cellular internet (hotspot)
Best for: backup internet, portability, temporary use
Provider | Website |
Verizon | |
AT&T | |
T-Mobile |
DSL (slowest wired option)
Provider | Service area | Notes |
AT&T Internet | Grass Valley, Nevada City, Penn Valley, Truckee | Digital pair gain from fiber terminal. |
Not sure what's available at your address?
Use these tools to check:
- FCC Broadband Map — broadbandmap.fcc.gov — search your exact address. If a provider shows as available but can't actually serve you, dispute it on the map!
- California Broadband Map — broadbandmap.ca.gov
- Nevada County local providers — nevadacountyca.gov/1460
Broadband news & grants
Nevada County is actively working to expand internet access. Several grants and projects are in progress:
- The county streamlined environmental reviews to speed up broadband construction
- Multiple state and federal grant programs are funding new fiber projects
- Sign up for the Broadband in Nevada County Newsletter at mynevadacounty.com/broadband
- Questions? Email broadband@nevadacountyca.gov
Get involved! Help advocate for better internet access:
Español
Internet Gratuito — Visión Completa de todas las Opciones de Internet
En el Condado de Nevada, encontrar internet confiable y rápido puede ser un desafío, especialmente para aquellos que viven fuera de los centros urbanos. El programa federal Lifeline ($9.25/mes de descuento) y planes de bajo costo de proveedores como AT&T Access ($15–$30/mes) y Comcast Internet Essentials ($9.95/mes) son las principales formas de obtener internet asequible. (Nota: el Programa de Conectividad Asequible / ACP finalizó en junio de 2024.) En el condado se encuentran disponibles varias opciones de internet, como fibra, cable, conexión inalámbrica fija, satélite y celular, cada una con sus ventajas y desventajas.
Related guides
- Free Cell Service and Smartphone — get a free phone with unlimited data
- Wi-Fi Hotspot Lending — borrow a hotspot from the Nevada County Library
- How to use TechEmpower.org — find more resources like this