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Internet Providers in Des Moines, Iowa

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BroadbandNow has the most accurate and comprehensive internet service coverage data on the web. Our data sources include the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), user speed tests and coverage data form internet service providers. In addition, we independently source and validate plan and pricing data.
  • Provider
    • Quantum Fiber
    • Mediacom
    • Viasat
    • HughesNet
    • CenturyLink
    • Google Fiber
    • Metronet
    • UScellular
    • Starlink
    • Verizon
    • Always ON
    • Select All
  • Fastest Internet
  • Lowest Price
  • Availability

Home Internet in Des Moines, IA

  • 1. Quantum Fiber
    Speeds Up To
    940 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Fiber
    Availability: 24.5%
  • 2. Mediacom
    Speeds Up To
    1 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: Cable
    Availability: 98.7%
    Des Moines speed tests confirm high speeds for Mediacom
  • 3. Viasat
    Speeds Up To
    150 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • 4. HughesNet
    Speeds Up To
    100 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • 5. CenturyLink
    Speeds Up To
    80 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: DSL
    Availability: 42.6%
  • 6. Google Fiber
    Speeds Up To
    8 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: Fiber
    Availability: 5.4%
  • 7. Metronet
    Speeds Up To
    5.12 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: Fiber
    Availability: 52.2%
    Des Moines speed tests confirm high speeds for Metronet
  • 8. UScellular
    Speeds Up To
    25 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 95.4%
  • Starlink
    Download Speeds:
    50 - 220 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • Verizon
    Speeds Up To
    50 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 32.9%
  • Always ON
    Download Speeds:
    25 - 150 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 87.3%

Best Internet Providers in Des Moines, IA

CenturyLink is the only widely-available internet provider in Des Moines that offers fiber internet plans and affordable prices starting at $55 per month. Those who live outside of CenturyLink’s fiber coverage areas can opt for its DSL service.

Another internet provider widely available in Des Moines is Mediacom, which offers download speeds up to 1 Gbps on a cable connection. If fiber internet providers like CenturyLink aren’t available in your neighborhood, Mediacom is the best internet provider that achieves gigabit speeds with broader coverage.

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
  • Always ON
95.36%
100 Mbps
  • Streaming
  • Video chat
  • Online gaming
  • Larger households
  • Quantum Fiber
  • Viasat
  • HughesNet
  • Starlink
100%
1000 Mbps (1 Gbps)
  • Heavy streaming (4K video
  • multiple devices
  • etc.)
  • Video chat
  • Lag-free gaming
  • Large households
  • Mediacom
  • Google Fiber
  • Metronet
98.68%

Learn more about internet speeds:

Internet Availability in Des Moines, IA

Des Moines residents have access to several wired internet providers, which offer a range of speeds and availability in select neighborhoods. Let’s take a look at the providers with the most presence in Des Moines and their coverage areas.

One of the most predominant providers in Des Moines is Mediacom, which covers 98.7% of the city. Several pockets of downtown don’t fall under Mediacom’s coverage. However, residents living in West Des Moines — specifically Sherman Hill and Woodland Heights — have access to the provider. Most public locations, such as MercyOne Des Moines Medical Center and the Iowa State Capitol, are outside of Mediacom’s cable internet coverage.

Another provider in the city is Metronet, though it offers fiber internet instead of cable. It covers 52.2% of Des Moines and has the strongest presence in North of Grand, which is west of downtown Des Moines.

Quantum Fiber is a viable alternative fiber internet provider, though its availability is far more limited than Metronet’s. Its coverage is scattered throughout Des Moines, with the greatest availability west and north of Drake University. It does overlap with Metronet, but its coverage is still less than the other provider.

If you’re one of the few residents living within Google Fiber’s coverage zones, then you’ll have access to fast gigabit speeds. Its availability is very limited in scope — farther west of Des Moines in neighborhoods along the I-235 freeway. Even if you don’t live in these neighborhoods, Des Moines has plenty of fiber internet providers to choose from.

Internet Provider Store Locations in Des Moines, IA

Provider Connection Types in Des Moines, IA

Connection Type About this Connection Type Availability in Des Moines, IA
Satellite
  • Available even in very rural areas
  • Typically has high latency (lag)
100%
DSL
  • Typically about 100 Mbps
  • Slower than Cable or Fiber
41.11%
Cable
  • Typically 250 Mbps - 1 Gbps
  • Widely available
  • A good choice for most users
99.00999999999999%
Fiber
  • Typically 1 Gbps or faster
  • Upload speeds match download speeds
28.79%

List of Internet Providers in Des Moines, IA

Provider Type Top Speed
Quantum Fiber Fiber 940 Mbps
Mediacom Cable 1 Gbps
Viasat Satellite 150 Mbps
HughesNet Satellite 100 Mbps
CenturyLink DSL 80 Mbps
Google Fiber Fiber 8 Gbps
Metronet Fiber 5.12 Gbps
UScellular Fixed Wireless 25 Mbps
Starlink Satellite 220 Mbps
Verizon 5G Internet 50 Mbps
Always ON Fixed Wireless 25 Mbps

Internet Providers in Des Moines, IA

Provider Plans Starting At Speeds Up To Connections
Quantum Fiber $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 940 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fiber
Mediacom $19.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 1 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Cable
Viasat Internet $119.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 150 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite
Hughesnet $49.99/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 100 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Satellite
CenturyLink $55/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 80 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. DSL
Google Fiber $70/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 8 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fiber
Metronet $29.95/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 5.12 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fiber
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
Verizon $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 50 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet
Always ON $60/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 25 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless

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