Internet Providers in
Columbia, MO

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Best Internet Providers in Columbia, MO

The best internet providers in Columbia are Brighspeed and Mediacom with its Xtream service. Brightspeed offers DSL and fiber internet service with widespread availability in Columbia. On a fiber network, its download and upload speeds go up to 940 Mbps with no data caps. Brightspeed Fiber Internet plans come with various perks, including discounts and reward cards for new customers. Internet-only plans start as low as $29 per month.

Outside of its vast coverage, Mediacom’s Xtream powered by GigaONE technology is an excellent internet option for Columbia residents who want fast and reliable cable internet. It offers download speeds up to 1 Gbps through its Xtream WiFi 360 system, with plans starting as low as $50 per month. This makes it one of the more budget-friendly options in Columbia.

Though limited in availability compared to Mediacom, Socket Telecom’s FiberFast service provides fast internet speeds to Columbia residents. Customers can expect symmetrical download and upload speeds up to 1 Gbps with its Socket Fiber+ service. Its Socket Fiber Premium plan starts at $60 per month.

Socket Telecom - Fastest Provider
Brightspeed - Cheapest Provider
Brightspeed - Widely Available
Viasat - Great for Rural Areas
T-Mobile - Offers 5G Home Internet
Socket Telecom - Great Value

Fastest Internet Providers in Columbia, MO

Socket Telecom is the fastest provider in Columbia, with speeds up to 2.5 Gbps.

Mediacom’s Xtream and Socket Telecom are the fastest internet providers in Columbia. While cable connections are typically slower than fiber internet, Mediacom’s Xtream powered by GigaONE has wider availability and is capable of delivering gigabit download speeds through its Xtream WiFi 360 system. Mediacom’s cable network uses the same coaxial wires as analog TVs and has lower latency than wireless connection types such as fixed wireless and satellite.

Socket Telecom’s FiberFast is another fast internet provider for Columbia residents. Despite its limited availability, its Socket Fiber+ network is capable of delivering gigabit download speeds to Columbia residents through its advanced ONT equipment. This is a good option for qualifying households who may want faster internet speeds.

Spectrum is worth mentioning, even if its availability is more limited compared to the other options in Columbia. Its cable network speeds go up to 1 Gbps (wireless speeds may vary). This is a great alternative if Spectrum is available in your area and you’d prefer its network over Mediacom’s Xtream.

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	Air Link UScellular	87.03999999999999%
100 Mbps	Streaming Video chat Online gaming Larger households	Brightspeed Viasat T-Mobile Hughesnet XNET WiFi Wisper ISP Stimulus iZones Starlink	100%
1000 Mbps (1 Gbps)	Heavy streaming (4K video multiple devices etc.) Video chat Lag-free gaming Large households	Spectrum Mediacom Socket Telecom	80.06%

Learn more about internet speeds:

Internet Availability in Columbia, MO

Before you choose between one of Columbia’s many high-speed internet providers, it’s best to find out if they’re even available at your current or future address. When it comes to availability, Brightspeed, Mediacom, and Socket are the most widely available internet providers in Columbia. Let’s take a closer look to see where they offer coverage, so you can find the right one for you.

For its speed and reliability, it’s hard to beat a fiber internet connection. In Columbia, you have the choice between Brightspeed and Socket. While both of these internet providers also offer DSL services, each has a respectable fiber internet footprint across the area — reaching more than half of the addresses in the city.

That said, you’re more likely to find Brightspeed than you are Socket across the area. Brightspeed offers more comprehensive coverage in downtown and central Columbia. However, below I-70, Socket tends to have more coverage in North Columbia; this is especially the case near the neighborhoods surrounding Albert-Oakland Park toward nearby Prathersville. Not all spots in Columbia receive the shining light of Brightspeed, though; South Columbia, near the University of Missouri and east of Route 63, are areas where Brightspeed has some fiber internet coverage gaps.

Maybe you don’t need the super speeds of fiber internet. Instead, you’re looking for a cable internet provider with some added services, such as television or home phone. In that case, Mediacom offers substantial coverage in Columbia.

Reaching 80.1% of Columbia, Mediacom’s availability is widespread, with coverage spreading from the Twin Lakes Recreation Area and Quarry Heights to the many communities situated on either side of the Dwight D. Eisenhower Highway. However, Mediacom does have some coverage gaps in North Columbia near the Bear Creek Trail and along South College Avenue near the University of Missouri. So, those may be areas you’ll want to check for alternate ISP options.

Provider Connection Types in Columbia, MO

Connection Type	About this Connection Type	Availability in Columbia, MO
Satellite	Available even in very rural areas Typically has high latency (lag)	100%
DSL	Typically about 100 Mbps Slower than Cable or Fiber	45.410000000000004%
Cable	Typically 250 Mbps - 1 Gbps Widely available A good choice for most users	87%
Fiber	Typically 1 Gbps or faster Upload speeds match download speeds	50.31%