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Internet Providers in Ames, Iowa

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Home Internet in Ames, IA
  • Provider
    • CenturyLink
    • AT&T
    • Viasat
    • T-Mobile
    • Verizon
    • Rise Broadband
    • Mediacom
    • Hughesnet
    • XNET WiFi
    • Metronet
    • Nextlink Internet
    • UScellular
    • Starlink
    • Select All
  • Fastest Internet
  • Availability
  • 1. CenturyLink
    Speeds Up To
    940 Mbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: DSL, Fiber
    Availability: 92.9%
    Ames speed tests confirm high speeds for CenturyLink
  • 2. AT&T
    Speeds Up To
    300 Mbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 29%
  • 3. Viasat
    Speeds Up To
    150 Mbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • 4. T-Mobile
    Download Speeds:
    133 - 415 Mbps
    All-In Internet plans can experience faster speeds with T-Mobile’s latest 5G gateway, delivering typical download speeds between 133 Mbps – 415 Mbps. 25% of our customers see speeds below and 25% see speeds above these ranges. Mobile 5G Home Internet is delivered via 5G cellular network and speeds vary due to factors affecting cellular networks.
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 60.9%
  • 5. Verizon
    Speeds Up To
    50 Mbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 40.7%
  • 6. Rise Broadband
    Speeds Up To
    50 Mbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 7.2%
  • 7. Mediacom
    Speeds Up To
    1 Gbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: Cable
    Availability: 91.8%
    Ames speed tests confirm high speeds for Mediacom
  • 8. Hughesnet
    Speeds Up To
    100 Mbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • XNET WiFi
    Download Speeds:
    25 - 150 Mbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 29%
  • Metronet
    Speeds Up To
    5.12 Gbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: Fiber
    Availability: 75.2%
    Ames speed tests confirm high speeds for Metronet
  • Nextlink Internet
    Speeds Up To
    100 Mbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 28.2%
  • UScellular
    Speeds Up To
    25 Mbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 89.5%
  • Starlink
    Download Speeds:
    50 - 220 Mbps
    Not all internet speeds available in all areas.
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%

Home Internet Summary in Ames, IA

Metronet dominates the internet service scene in Ames, Iowa, with fiber connections reaching up to 5.12 Gbps. Plans start at $29.95 per month, making them an affordable choice for high-speed internet. Covering 75.2% of Ames, Metronet serves gamers, streamers, and households with heavy data needs well.

CenturyLink and Verizon also hold significant shares in Ames. CenturyLink provides DSL connections with speeds up to 80 Mbps, starting at $55 per month, and covers 48.4% of the area. This suits moderate internet users who need reliable browsing and streaming. Verizon's 5G internet offers speeds of up to 50 Mbps, beginning at $50 per month, reaching 43.6% of the city. It caters to those seeking advanced wireless technology.

Ames enjoys varied internet services with fiber availability at 92%, fixed wireless at 90%, and cable at 80%. These options ensure residents find the connection type that meets their needs.

Best Internet Providers in Ames, IA

The best internet providers in Ames are CenturyLink, Mediacom, and Metronet. Of these three options, CenturyLink is the best overall option because it offers download speeds up to 940 Mbps to its customers. Ames residents wanting a fast fiber connection can purchase one of CenturyLink’s internet plans, with its lowest-tier costing as little as $50 per month.

If CenturyLink isn’t available, Mediacom is the next-best option for Ames residents. In addition to providing vast coverage throughout the city, it delivers fast download speeds and affordable internet plans that operate on a cable network.

Metronet is another great fiber internet option available for Ames residents. On top of delivering download speeds up to 5.12 Gbps, it also offers a variety of internet plans, the most affordable one costing only $34.95 per month.

What’s a Good Internet Speed?

Internet Speed Appropriate For Providers in your Area offering this Speed Availability in your Area
25 Mbps
  • Email
  • Web browsing
  • Light streaming
  • Smaller households
  • UScellular
89.46%
100 Mbps
  • Streaming
  • Video chat
  • Online gaming
  • Larger households
  • CenturyLink
  • AT&T
  • Viasat
  • T-Mobile
  • Hughesnet
  • XNET WiFi
  • Nextlink Internet
  • Starlink
100%
1000 Mbps (1 Gbps)
  • Heavy streaming (4K video
  • multiple devices
  • etc.)
  • Video chat
  • Lag-free gaming
  • Large households
  • Mediacom
  • Metronet
91.79%

Learn more about internet speeds:

Internet Coverage Map and Store Locations for Ames, Iowa

Looking for internet providers near you? This map can help. Use the drop-down menu to select an internet provider in your area, then enter your address into the address bar. The map will show your neighborhood and overlay the internet provider's availability by address, so that you can see which providers are available exactly where you live. You can also use the map to find internet store locations near you — just toggle the switch to "stores" and choose a provider in your area from the drop down menu to see exactly where that ISP's local stores are.

Provider Connection Types in Ames, IA

Connection Type About this Connection Type Availability in Ames, IA
Satellite
  • Available even in very rural areas
  • Typically has high latency (lag)
100%
DSL
  • Typically about 100 Mbps
  • Slower than Cable or Fiber
43.62%
Cable
  • Typically 250 Mbps - 1 Gbps
  • Widely available
  • A good choice for most users
91.60000000000001%
Fiber
  • Typically 1 Gbps or faster
  • Upload speeds match download speeds
79.55%

Internet Providers in Ames, IA

Provider Plans Starting At Speeds Up To Connections
CenturyLink $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 940 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. DSL, Fiber
AT&T Internet Air $60/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 300 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet
Viasat Internet $99.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 150 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite
Verizon $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 50 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet
Rise Broadband $45/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 50 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
Mediacom $19.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 1 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Cable
Hughesnet $49.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite
XNET WiFi $85/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 150 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
Metronet $34.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 5.12 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fiber
Nextlink Internet $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
UScellular $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 25 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
Starlink $120/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 220 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite

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