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Internet Providers in Des Moines, Iowa

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Home Internet in Des Moines, IA

  • 1. Quantum Fiber
    Speeds Up To
    8 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: Fiber
    Availability: 24.3%
    Des Moines speed tests confirm high speeds for Quantum Fiber
  • 2. AT&T
    Speeds Up To
    225 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 41.4%
  • 3. Mediacom
    Speeds Up To
    1 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: Cable
    Availability: 98.7%
    Des Moines speed tests confirm high speeds for Mediacom
  • 4. Viasat
    Speeds Up To
    150 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • 5. T-Mobile
    Download Speeds:
    72 - 245 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: 5G Internet
    Availability: 47.6%
  • 6. Hughesnet
    Speeds Up To
    100 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Satellite
    Availability: 100%
  • 7. CenturyLink
    Speeds Up To
    80 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: DSL
    Availability: 42.6%
  • 8. XNET WiFi
    Download Speeds:
    25 - 150 Mbps
    See *
    Connection: Fixed Wireless
    Availability: 41.4%
  • 9. Google Fiber
    Speeds Up To
    8 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: Fiber
    Availability: 5.4%
  • 10. Metronet
    Speeds Up To
    5.12 Gbps
    See *
    Connection: Fiber
    Availability: 52.2%
    Des Moines speed tests confirm high speeds for Metronet
  • 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: 42.9%

Best Internet Providers in Des Moines, IA

The best connection type for home internet is fiber-optic internet, and Des Moines has several fiber providers. The most widely available is Quantum Fiber, which serves about a quarter of Des Moines and offers speeds up to 8 Gbps. Also worth noting is Google Fiber, which is available only to a small share of Des Moines residents but popular among those who can get it. Metronet also offers fiber to a small portion of Des Moines.

Fiber coverage in Des Moines may be a big spotty with these major providers, but getting cable internet is relatively easy. Virtually all of Des Moines is served by Mediacom’s Xtream, a cable internet provider that can deliver speeds up to 1 Gbps. Xtream is a sub-brand of Mediacom, which is a larger internet service company.

Des Moines is also home to some wireless home internet plans, including the popular wireless home internet brand AT&T Internet Air, which uses AT&T’s 5G network. Des Moines also has access to Starlink, a satellite internet provider owned by Elon Musk.

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
95.36%
100 Mbps
  • Streaming
  • Video chat
  • Online gaming
  • Larger households
  • AT&T
  • Viasat
  • T-Mobile
  • Hughesnet
  • XNET WiFi
  • Starlink
100%
1000 Mbps (1 Gbps)
  • Heavy streaming (4K video
  • multiple devices
  • etc.)
  • Video chat
  • Lag-free gaming
  • Large households
  • Quantum Fiber
  • 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 8 Gbps
AT&T 5G Internet 225 Mbps
Mediacom Cable 1 Gbps
Viasat Satellite 150 Mbps
T-Mobile 5G Internet 245 Mbps
Hughesnet Satellite 100 Mbps
CenturyLink DSL 80 Mbps
XNET WiFi Fixed Wireless 225 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

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 8 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fiber
AT&T Internet Air $60/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 225 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet
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
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet $50/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 245 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. 5G Internet
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
XNET WiFi $85/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 225 Mbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fixed Wireless
Google Fiber $70/mo Prices may vary depending on the plan 8 Gbps *Not all internet speeds available in all areas. Fiber
Metronet $34.95/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

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