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#1 Recommended Plan
1. AT&T 
Speeds Up To300 MbpsIn rare cases, if your usage is contributing to congestion on the network, AT&T will greatly reduce your speed for a min. of 30 min.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 66.5%Why AT&T? AT&T Internet Air makes buying internet easy for customers by offering one plan with straightforward pricing and reliable 5G speeds. -
Quantum Fiber 
Speeds Up To8 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: FiberAvailability: 4%LIMITED TIME OFFERGet 1 Gig Internet for $45/mo for a limited time!New customers only. Limited availability. Service and rate in select locations only. Bank account payment required. Taxes and fees apply. -
3. Viasat 
Speeds Up To150 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
T-Mobile 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsNot available in all areas. Return each device undamaged or fee may apply. AutoPay discount requires bank account or debit card, otherwise $5 more/line/mo. May not be reflected on first bill. See Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at https://fiber.t-mobile.com/legal/terms.Connection: FiberAvailability: 29% -
5. Mint Mobile 
Download Speeds:133 Mbps - 415 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 75.2% -
6. Verizon 
Speeds Up To300 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: 5G InternetAvailability: 70.9% -
7. Mediacom 
Speeds Up To1 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: CableAvailability: 91.7%Ames speed tests confirm high speeds for Mediacom -
8. CenturyLink 
Speeds Up To940 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: DSL, FiberAvailability: 92.9% -
9. XNET WiFi 
Speeds Up To2 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 71.6% -
Colo Telephone Company 
Speeds Up To1 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: FiberAvailability: 1.4% -
10. Metronet 
Speeds Up To5.12 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: FiberAvailability: 75.7% -
Rise Broadband 
Speeds Up To100 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 6.6% -
Nextlink Internet 
Speeds Up To1 GbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 2% -
13. UScellular 
Speeds Up To25 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: Fixed WirelessAvailability: 90% -
14. Starlink 
Speeds Up To350 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100% -
15. Hughesnet 
Speeds Up To100 MbpsNot all internet speeds available in all areas.Connection: SatelliteAvailability: 100%
Internet Providers in Ames, IA
Refine your search for better results:
Popular Ames Internet Deals
| Provider | Featured deal | |
|---|---|---|
| Quantum Fiber | Get 1 Gig Internet for $45/mo for a limited time! |
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| Viasat | Get $30 off for your first 3 months! Price shown includes promotion; Get $30/mo. off for the first 3 months. For new customers only. You must mention this offer when ordering service to receive the discount. |
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| Verizon | Get a 43" Class QF QLED Samsung TV or Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE 5G on us! |
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| CenturyLink | Subscribe to the CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit plan for a free premium modem and free installation! |
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| XNET WiFi | Get unlimited data and Wi-Fi that works anywhere with XNET WiFi! |
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Ames Home Internet Providers
| Provider | Plans starting at | Speeds up to | Connections | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rise Broadband | $25/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| Metronet | $29.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 5.12 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| Mint Mobile | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 133 Mbps - 415 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | 5G Internet |
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| Mediacom | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 1 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Cable |
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| Nextlink Internet | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 1 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| Verizon | $35/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 300 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | 5G Internet |
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| Hughesnet | $39.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
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| Quantum Fiber | $45/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 8 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| Starlink | $49/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 350 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
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| CenturyLink | $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 940 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | DSL, Fiber |
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| UScellular | $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 25 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| AT&T | $65/mo Price is per month, plus taxes. Price after discounts: $13/mo w/elig wireless svc. and $5/mo w/elig Autopay & Paperless bill. Discounts start w/in 2 bills. | 300 Mbps In rare cases, if your usage is contributing to congestion on the network, AT&T will greatly reduce your speed for a min. of 30 min. | 5G Internet |
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| XNET WiFi | $65/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| Viasat | $69.99/mo Price shown includes promotion; Get $30/mo. off for first 3 months. For new customers only. You must mention this offer when ordering service to receive the discount. | 150 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Satellite |
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| T-Mobile | $75/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 2 Gbps Not available in all areas. Return each device undamaged or fee may apply. AutoPay discount requires bank account or debit card, otherwise $5 more/line/mo. May not be reflected on first bill. See Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at https://fiber.t-mobile.com/legal/terms. | Fiber |
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| Colo Telephone Company | $80/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 1 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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Best Internet Providers in Ames, IA
Metronet is the top overall provider in Ames for fiber performance. Metronet offers up to 5 Gbps with symmetrical speeds starting at $29.95 per month. While Mediacom reaches 91.7% of the area via cable, Metronet provides superior reliability for modern households.
| Provider | Why they're great | Who they're great for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| AT&T | Easy installation | Customers who want to skip the technician and get online in minutes will love the simple plug-and-play setup provided by AT&T Internet Air. |
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| Quantum Fiber | Fastest provider | Large households and power users who need high-capacity speeds for activities like 4K streaming will find an excellent choice in Quantum Fiber. |
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| Mediacom | Generous sign-up perks | Mediacom is a perfect fit for new customers wanting to maximize their first-year savings by taking advantage of valuable promotional offers. |
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| CenturyLink | Unlimited data plans | CenturyLink is perfect for households that want the freedom to stream and download without constantly checking strict monthly data limits. |
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| Metronet | Straightforward pricing | Metronet is a smart choice for customers who value transparent monthly bills without the frustration of hidden equipment fees or data charges. |
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Ames Cheapest Internet Plans
Rise Broadband offers the lowest entry price for internet service in Ames. Plans for Rise Broadband start at $25 per month, delivering up to 100 Mbps via fixed wireless. For a slight increase, Metronet offers vastly faster symmetrical speeds to 75.7% of the city.
| Provider | Plan name | Price | Speeds up to | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rise Broadband | 100 Mbps Internet + Unlimited Data | $25/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| Metronet | 150 Mbps Internet | $29.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 150 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| Mint Mobile | 3-month w/ Mint Phone Plan | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 415 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| Mediacom | Internet 300 | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 300 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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| Nextlink Internet | Wireless 100 | $30/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan. | 100 Mbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. |
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Fastest Internet Providers in Ames, IA
Quantum Fiber delivers the absolute fastest internet speeds available in Ames. Residential fiber plans from Quantum Fiber reach up to 8 Gbps with symmetrical speeds. If Quantum Fiber is unavailable in your neighborhood, Metronet is a formidable alternative reaching up to 5 Gbps across more of the city.
| Provider | Speeds up to | Connection type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quantum Fiber | 8 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| Metronet | 5.12 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fiber |
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| T-Mobile | 2 Gbps Not available in all areas. Return each device undamaged or fee may apply. AutoPay discount requires bank account or debit card, otherwise $5 more/line/mo. May not be reflected on first bill. See Terms and Conditions (including arbitration provision) at https://fiber.t-mobile.com/legal/terms. | Fiber |
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| XNET WiFi | 2 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Fixed Wireless |
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| Mediacom | 1 Gbps Not all internet speeds available in all areas. | Cable |
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Compare Top Providers in Your Area
- AT&T Internet vs. Mediacom
- AT&T Internet vs. CenturyLink
- AT&T Internet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- AT&T Internet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- CenturyLink vs. Mediacom
- CenturyLink vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- CenturyLink vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Rise Broadband
- Hughesnet vs. Viasat Internet
- Hughesnet vs. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
- Hughesnet vs. Verizon 5G Home Internet
- Starlink vs. Viasat Internet
Check Your Current Speed
What's a Good Internet Speed?
| Internet speed | Appropriate for | Providers in your area offering this speed | Availability in your area |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-25 Mbps |
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90% |
| 100 Mbps |
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100% |
| 1000 Mbps (1 Gbps) |
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91.7% |
Internet Availability in Ames, IA
Mediacom reaches the largest number of residents in Ames with high-speed cable. Mediacom covers 91.7% of the city with download speeds up to 1 Gbps starting at $30 per month. Viasat Internet covers 100.0% of the area via satellite for homes in rural pockets where cable cannot reach.
| Connection type | Provider with most coverage | Ames availability | Starting price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satellite | Hughesnet | 100% | $39.99/mo |
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| DSL | CenturyLink | 92.9% | $55/mo |
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| Cable | Mediacom | 91.7% | $30/mo |
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| Fixed Wireless | UScellular | 90% | $50/mo |
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| 5G Internet | Mint Mobile | 75.2% | $30/mo |
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| Fiber | CenturyLink Fiber Gigabit | 0.1% | $50/mo |
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Ames Internet Stats
| Average internet monthly cost | Available speed ranges | Available price range | Available connection types |
|---|---|---|---|
| $72.63 | 12 Mbps - 8 Gbps | $25/mo - $179.95/mo | 5G Internet, Cable, DSL, Fiber, Fixed Wireless, Satellite |
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Fastest Speed
Quantum FiberFiber
Up to 8 GIG$150/mo*Taxes & fees extra and subj. to change. See disclaimer for details. Restrictions apply. See offer details
360 WiFi included | No one-time installation fee-
Download Speeds up to 8 Gbps
Show Details -
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Best Value
AT&T Internet Air5G Internet
Internet Air$65/mo*Price is per month, plus taxes. Not available in all areas. Price after discounts: 20% w/elig wireless and $5/mo with AutoPay. Discount applied w/in 2 bills. See offer details
$100 Visa Reward Card | Save 20% with Eligible AT&T Wireless Plan-
Download Speeds up to 300 Mbps
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Perfect speeds for most families
Show Details -
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Lowest Price
MetronetFiber
150 Mbps Internet$29.95/mo*Taxes & fees extra and subj. to change. See disclaimer for details. Restrictions apply. See offer details
Eero router included-
Download Speeds up to 150 Mbps
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Up to 5 devices connected at once
Show Details -
Internet Coverage Map and Store Locations for Ames, Iowa
Methodology
Our provider rankings rely on a rigorous, data-driven framework evaluating over 100 million rows of FCC data to bring transparency to local internet options. We track 8,000+ active plans from 2,000+ providers to cut through marketing jargon. We weigh technical factors against real-world experiences to match you with the best connections actually available at your address:
- Tested Technology: We utilize a fiber-first ranking system, prioritizing high-performance, structurally sound technologies (like fiber and cable) over slower legacy connections.
- Realistic Coverage: We filter out "ghost ISPs" with near-zero availability and actively flag providers that only cover a fraction of neighborhoods, ensuring you don't waste time on unavailable options.
- Transparent Pricing: We track base rates and downgrade providers that rely on hidden fees or sudden price hikes, exposing the true long-term cost beyond initial marketing promotions.
- Verified Speeds: We look beyond deceptive "up to" marketing claims to evaluate the actual download and upload speeds delivered, prioritizing the balanced, symmetrical performance necessary for seamless video calls and heavy streaming.
- User-Driven Personalization: We don't just look at the tech; we look at what people actually prefer. By analyzing millions of local connections, user reviews on downtime, and validated J.D. Power scores, we tailor our rankings to highlight the providers proven to satisfy users in your area.
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Data valid as of 03/25/2026