Best Internet Providers in Rochester, Minnesota
What are the best internet providers in Rochester, Minnesota?
CNET Recommended Metronet As the best internet service provider in Rochesterfor most families. At least for the first year, you’ll get fast, symmetric uploads and download speeds at a decent price. However, prices have risen sharply since then – for three to four consecutive years. But Metronet also includes hidden fees that you don’t normally see with internet providers.
spectrum Rochester is the most widely reported. Its wired internet plan is available for 92% of Rochester homes, and is generally a pretty good choice. Spectrum has recently increased its level of speed so you can get 500Mbps or 1,000Mbps for a reasonable $50 or $70 per month. Prices do rise significantly over time over the spectrum, but it doesn’t start until the third year of most plans.
If you don’t want to deal with price increases, wireless internet is a great option – especially for smaller homes that don’t require a lot of bandwidth. T-Mobile Home Internet It is our favorite choice in the area. Its plan starts at $50 per month, but when you’re bundled with a qualified mobile phone plan, you only pay $40.
The Best Internet in Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota, Internet provider comparison
Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment cost | Data cap | contract | CNET Comment Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
CenturyLink Read the full review |
DSL | $55 | Up to 100Mbps | $15 (optional) | Nothing | Nothing | 6.7 |
Metronet Read the full review |
fiber | $35-$70 | 150-2,000Mbps | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | 6.9 |
spectrum Read the full review |
cable | $50- $70 | 500-1,000Mbps | $10 (optional) | Nothing | Nothing | 7.2 |
Starlink Read the full review |
satellite | $120 | 25-220Mbps | Expected $599 | Nothing | Nothing | 6.5 |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($40-$50 with mobile plan) | 72-245Mbps | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | 7.4 |
Verizon 5G home internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for qualified Verizon Wireless customers) | 100-300Mbps | Nothing | Nothing | Nothing | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Rochester?
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Shopping provider at my address
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find internet deals and promotions in Rochester
The best internet deals and top promotions in Rochester depend on the discounts available in a given time. Most transactions are short-lived, but we often look for the latest quotes.
Rochester Internet providers such as Metrotonet, T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming accessories for a limited time. However, others, including the spectrum, run the same standard pricing throughout the year.
For a wider list of promotions, check out our guide The best internet transactions.
Rochester’s fastest internet plan
Provider | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
METRONET 1 GB Read the full review |
$50 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | Nothing | fiber |
Spectrum Internet Performance Read the full review |
$70 | 1,000Mbps | 35Mbps | Nothing | cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is good internet speed?
Most Internet connectivity programs can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you are looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming videos or games, you will get better experience and have a stronger connection. Here is an overview of the minimum download speeds recommended for various applications, According to the Federal Communications Commission. Note that these are just guides – Internet speed, services and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, see our guide How much internet speed do you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to solve the basics – browse the internet, send and receive emails, and stream low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps provides you with higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should provide a user with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of modern remote office, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to perform high bandwidth activities for two users simultaneously, such as video conferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How to choose the best Internet provider in Rochester
There are numerous and regional Internet service providers. Different from the latest cell phone,,,,, Laptop computer,,,,, router or Kitchen toolsit is impractical to test each ISP in a given city in person. So what is our method? We first look at pricing, availability and speed information, leverage our own historical ISP data, provide the site and map the information fcc.gov.
But that’s not over. We use the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we consider every ISP that provides services in a certain area. We also enter our local address on the provider website to find specific options for residents. We look at resources including the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to evaluate how satisfied ISP services have with customers. ISP plans and prices change frequently; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once this local information is obtained, we ask three main questions:
- Can providers access reasonable and fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for the money they pay?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
Although the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, the three we recommend are closest to the provider of “yes”. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the lowest monthly plan, although we also consider issues such as price increase, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We view the upload and download speeds on ads and consider them from such Ookla and FCC Report. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET.)
To explore our process more deeply, visit us How we test ISP Page.
Internet provider of FAQs in Rochester
What are the best Internet service providers in Rochester?
Metrot is the best internet service provider in Rochester, offering fast, symmetrical speeds at reasonable prices. That said, Metronet greatly increases prices in all plans.
Does Rochester have fiber internet?
Yes, according to FCC data, 74% of fiber in Rochester homes are available for internet access. Metrot is the only fiber provider in the city.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Rochester?
Spectrum is the cheapest internet provider in Rochester, with plans starting at just $25 a month.
Which internet provider in Rochester offers the fastest plan?
Metrot and Spectrum offer the fastest internet plan in Rochester with download speeds up to 1,000Mbps.