Best Internet Providers in Iowa City, Iowa
What is the best internet provider in Iowa City, IA?
ImOn Communications is the best internet provider in Iowa City. Local Iowa companies offer services in most areas of the city, and while they’re not cheap, they’re great value for money. Unlike many other options in the area, ImOn is very customer-friendly and has no such thing as hidden fees and data caps.
If you want to pay the lowest price possible, mediacom Providing the cheapest internet in Iowa City. Prices start at just $20 per month, although Mediacom charges $15 per month for modem rental, and all of its plans increase in price after a year or two.
Metropolis Network is the fastest internet provider in Iowa Citywith symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 5,000Mbps, five times faster than any other provider in the city. Another great option for high-speed internet is T-Mobile Home Internetproviding wireless Internet service for $50-$70 per month. T-Mobile cell phone customers can save $10 to $20 per month by bundling home Internet service.
Best Internet in Iowa City, IA
Iowa City Internet Providers Comparison
provider | Internet technology | monthly price range | speed range | Monthly equipment cost | data cap | contract | CNET Review Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
21Vianet Read full review |
DSL | $55 | Up to 100Mbps | $15 (optional) | without any | without any | 6.7 |
imeon communications co., ltd. | fiber | $49-$69 | 200-1,000Mbps | without any | without any | without any | not applicable |
mediacom Read full review |
cable | $20-$60 | 250-1,000Mbps | $15 | 350GB-unlimited | without any | 6.4 |
Metropolis Network Read full review |
fiber | $35-$110* | 150-5,000Mbps | None (but all plans include an additional $13 per month technology guarantee fee) | without any | without any | 6.9 |
Quantum fiber | fiber | $50-$75 | 500-940Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 6.7 |
Rise Broadband Read full review |
fixed wireless | $55 | 25-50Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 6.2 |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
fixed wireless | $50-$70 (mobile plan is $35-$55) | 87-415Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 7.4 |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 100-300Mbps | without any | without any | without any | 7.2 |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What are the cheapest internet plans in Iowa City?
provider | starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
---|---|---|---|
Metropolis Network Read full review |
$35 | 150Mbps | None (but there is an additional $13 monthly technical warranty fee) |
MediaCom Internet 250 Read full review |
$20 | 250Mbps | $15 |
MediaCom Internet 500 Read full review |
$45 | 500Mbps | $15 |
Metropolis Network Read full review |
$45 | 500Mbps | None (but there is an additional $13 monthly technical warranty fee) |
Quantum fiber | $50 | 500Mbps | without any |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 100Mbps | without any |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to Find Internet Deals and Promotions in Iowa City
The best internet deals and top promotions in Iowa City depend on the discounts available during that time period. Most offers are short-lived, but we’re often on the lookout for the latest deals.
Iowa City internet providers such as Mediacom, Verizon 5G Home Internet and ImOn Communications may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, others including Metronet and Quantum Fiber use the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide Best Internet Deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Iowa City
provider | starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | data cap | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Metro 5 GB Read full review |
$110 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | without any | fiber |
Metro 2 GB Read full review |
$70 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | without any | fiber |
Metro 1 GB Read full review |
$50 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | without any | fiber |
MediaCom 1 show Read full review |
$60 | 1,000Mbps | 64Mbps | 3,000GB-unlimited | cable |
ImOn Communication 1Gig | $69 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | without any | fiber |
Quantum fiber | $75 | 940Mbps | 940Mbps | without any | fiber |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll get a better experience with a stronger connection. The recommended minimum download speeds for various applications are outlined below, According to the U.S. Federal Communications Commission. Please note that these are guidelines only – Internet speeds, service and performance vary based on 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 handle the basics—browse the Internet, send and receive email, stream low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should provide a person with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of modern remote working, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two people to participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming simultaneously.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more people to engage in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
CNET How to choose the best internet provider in Iowa City
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. different from the latest cell phone, laptop, router or kitchen toolsit is impractical to personally test every ISP in a specific city. So what is our approach? We first looked at pricing, availability, and speed information based on our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and map information from the Federal Communications Commission. fcc.gov.
But it didn’t end there. We went to the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we accounted for every ISP offering service in a certain area. We also enter local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We evaluate customer satisfaction with ISP services by looking at sources such as the US Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power. ISP plans and prices may change frequently; all information provided is accurate as of publication time.
Once we have localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Are customers getting value for money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to these questions are often layered and complex, we recommend the provider that comes closest to a “yes” on these three questions. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for plans with the lowest monthly fees, although we also consider factors like price increases, equipment fees, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from the following sources: Okla and Federal Communications Commission Report. (Disclosure: Ookla and CNET are owned by the same parent company, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our processes in more depth, visit our How we test ISPs Page.
Iowa City Internet Provider FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Iowa City?
ImOn Communications is the best internet service provider in Iowa City. Starting at $49 per month, you get fast, symmetrical speeds, and ImOn doesn’t charge you with hidden fees and price increases.
Is there fiber optic internet in Iowa City?
Yes, 69% of Iowa City residents have access to fiber optic internet, According to FCC data. ImOn Communications, Metronet and Quantum Fiber all operate in the city.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Iowa City?
Mediacom is the cheapest internet provider in Iowa City, with plans starting at $35 per month. It’s worth noting that Mediacom includes a $14 monthly modem rental fee, and all of its plans increase in price after a year or two.
Which internet provider in Iowa City offers the fastest plans?
Metronet offers the fastest plans in Iowa City, with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 5,000Mbps.