Sonic Internet Logo
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4.7

Overall Score

Author: Kaitlyn Short

LAST UPDATED: August 14th, 2024

Based in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, Sonic Internet offers download speeds up to 20 Mbps, no data caps, and a one-year contract.

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As an internet provider, Sonic Internet's mission is simple: to provide the best internet speed and great customer service for the most affordable price. The company strives to accomplish its mission by continually innovating and working to change the face of the broadband service industry.

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The Good

  • Brand New Fiber-Optic Lines
  • No Data Limits

Brand New Fiber-Optic Lines

Sonic Internet's service lines are brand new in every area where the company operates. This means that the lines are using the most current fiber optic technology, which keeps the network constantly running at full speed. Some players in the internet service provider industry will vary in speed depending on the time of day, so users may not be getting the actual speed that they are paying for each month. However, Sonic Internet customers do not have to worry about this issue. Fiber internet service is considered the most reliable connection.

No Data Limits

Some ISP companies set limits on how much data their customers can use each month. Sonic Internet does not impose any data caps on its customers' usage. Each Sonic customer can use as much data as desired each month while still enjoying quick speeds.

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The Bad

  • 12-Month Contract
  • Limited Service Area
  • Slow Speeds

12-Month Contract

While several other internet providers do not require any contracts, Sonic Internet requires its customers to sign into a minimum 12-month agreement in order to utilize the company's services. If the customer needs to cancel the internet connection for any reason before the end of the contract, they will be required to pay an early termination fee.

Limited Service Area

Sonic Internet's service area is incredibly limited; the company only operates in a few cities in California. Not only does this restrict the number of consumers who have access to Sonic Internet's services, but it also makes it difficult for existing Sonic customers who move outside of the company's service area because they have to deal with the hassle of switching providers and cancelling their contract.

Slow Speeds

Sonic Internet's top download speed is 20 Mbps, which is incredibly slow in the industry. Many other companies offer more than 20 Mbps as their bottom speed and go as fast as 1 Gbps.

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The Bottom Line

Sonic offers its customers fiber internet and no data limits. However, the company's service area is limited to a few cities in California, the speeds are very slow, and its customers are required to sign into a 12-month contract. We do not recommend working with Sonic Internet at this time.

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Star Rating

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3.1

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44 Reviews

Review Breakdown

5 grade

41%

4 grade

0%

3 grade

11%

2 grade

23%

1 grade

25%

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Debra Modesto, CA

I’ve been a Sonic customer for many years. Originally I subscribed to their internet service and used their sonic email. When I moved to a different part of town in 2009, Sonic did not provide internet services in my neighborhood but I paid a $6 fee per month to keep my sonic email because of their spam filters and terrific customer service. Fast forward to 2021 and I’m disappointed. Their spam filter does not work as well as it used to - spam gets through to Inbox, and their server is glitchy. Many times I cannot see email in my Sent folder nor my Drafts folder. Frustrating. It is not my settings, it is Sonic’s server that is glitchy. Thinking of changing email and using another service at this point.

3 years ago

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Alan Sunnyvale, CA

You must rent their modem and VOIP equipment. Add that in and my bills were about $67 a month for roughly 20MBs. That isn't very good. I bought a cable modem for $120 and I pay $30/mo for 1 year ($40 after) and get 60MBs; I also pay OOMA about $6/mo. Way faster in aggregate for 50% of the price. The other problem is that they charge you for the last month when you are returning the equipment (at your expense) to them. Huh? With Comcast, you call them and you are shutoff immediately. Mind you, I don't *like* Comcast. They have simply horrible customer service. By contrast, I have nothing but praise for Sonic's CS. That is why I'm giving them 3 stars. It isn't for the value of the service. That is *maybe* 2 stars, but more likely 1. I won't be a customer of Sonic again unless their pricing structure changes.

6 years ago

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Gerbrand Ceder Orinda, CA

I have Sonic voer AT&T lines. The first impression I have of the company is disorganized. The installation was going to take a few hours, but when they arrived they figured out that there was no service at our pole, so they had to draw hundreds of ft of new line to a different street. Technician installed the modem, but nothing else. ATA adaptor for phone arrived later in the mail and did not work. Called Sonic and after a half hour hold I gave up. Not sure why people like this service so much

2 years ago

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GM LIAO San Francisco, CA

I subscribed Sonic in San Francisco. The good thing is that the speed is fast (1G), reliable, and there's no contract - it just go month by month. The bad thing is that it comes as a bundle - it's ad said it's $50 for 1G, however you have to get a voice line with it, it turned out you have to pay $67 (with tax) with it.

1 year ago

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shawne bradley San Francisco, CA

They're customer service was average unable to get any real help.

2 years ago