Internet providers in Ames, Iowa

Where do you need service?

7 providers

  • Quantum Fiber Internet

    Quantum Fiber
    Plans starting at
    $50

    /mo

    for 12 mos.
    Call to learn more
    (844) 451-2720
    Check plans with Quantum Fiber
    Speeds up to
    8000 mbps
    Connection type
    Fiber
    Customer rating
    (40)
    Available in Ames
    11%

  • CenturyLink Internet

    CenturyLink
    Plans starting at
    $55

    /mo*

    for 12 mos.
    Call to learn more
    (844) 451-2720
    Check plans with CenturyLink
    Speeds up to
    940 mbps
    Connection type
    Fiber
    Customer rating
    (395)
    Available in Ames
    94%

    *Speed may not be available in your area. Paperless billing required. Taxes and fees apply.

  • Mediacom Internet

    Mediacom
    Plans starting at
    $24

    99/mo*

    for 12 mos.
    Call to learn more
    (844) 451-2720
    Speeds up to
    1000 mbps
    Connection type
    Cable
    Customer rating
    (173)
    Available in Ames
    97%

    *Price includes $10/mo discount for autopay and paperless billing.

  • Verizon 5G Internet

    Verizon 5G
    Plans starting at
    $50

    /mo*

    for 12 mos.
    Call to learn more
    (844) 451-2720
    Check plans with Verizon
    Speeds up to
    1000 mbps
    Connection type
    Wireless
    Customer rating
    (452)
    Available in Ames
    6%

    *with a mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband. With Auto Pay + Paperless billing.

  • EarthLink 5G Internet

    EarthLink 5G
    Plans starting at
    $49

    95/mo

    for 12 mos.
    Call to learn more
    (844) 451-2720
    Check plans with EarthLink 5G
    Speeds up to
    200 mbps
    Connection type
    Wireless

  • Verizon 4G Internet

    Verizon 4G
    Plans starting at
    $50

    /mo

    for 12 mos.
    Call to learn more
    (844) 451-2720
    Check plans with Verizon
    Speeds up to
    50 mbps
    Connection type
    Wireless
    Available in Ames
    6%

  • Hughesnet Internet

    Hughesnet
    Plans starting at
    $49

    99/mo*

    for 12 mos.
    Call to learn more
    (844) 451-2720
    Check plans with Hughesnet
    Speeds up to
    100 mbps
    Connection type
    Satellite
    Customer rating
    (310)
    Available in Ames
    100%

    ***Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACHⓘ enrollment. Enroll before the 2nd billing cycle for continued savings. Service plans require a 24-month commitment. Equipment Lease or Purchase fees extra.

1-7 of 7 providers shown

Table of contents

What's the right internet speed for your home?

Households within Ames are, on average, getting download speeds of 137 Mbps and upload speeds of 98 Mbps. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) assigns internet requirements into light, moderate and high-use categories.

Our online speed guide can help you decide which internet speed is best for your household.

  • Light
    Internet use
    1 to 2

    Email, browsing, basic video, one streaming device at a time.

    Broadband guidelines:

    1 to 2 devices:
    5 to 20 Mbps
    2 to 4 devices:
    20 to 40 Mbps
    5 to 10 devices:
    50 to 100 Mbps
  • Moderate
    Internet use
    3 - 4

    The same functions as Light, plus one high-demand application like streaming HD video, video conferencing, online gaming or telecommuting.

    Broadband guidelines:

    1 to 2 devices:
    5 to 20 Mbps
    2 to 4 devices:
    20 to 40 Mbps
    5 to 10 devices:
    75 to 200 Mbps
  • High
    Internet use
    5+

    The same functions as Light and Moderate, plus multiple high-demand applications running simultaneously.

    Broadband guidelines:

    1 to 2 devices:
    100 to 200 Mbps
    2 to 4 devices:
    200 to 300 Mbps
    5 to 10 devices:
    400 to 500 Mbps

DON'T KNOW WHAT INTERNET SPEED YOU NEED?

Find the speed you need with our internet speed quiz

Take the quiz

Best internet provider in Ames, IA

Allconnect's choice for the best internet provider in Ames is Verizon 5G Home, with their Wireless plans covering 6% of the city. Verizon 5G Home internet plans start at $50 with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps.

To make that choice, we look at the affordability, performance, value and customer satisfaction of internet service providers (ISPs). View our full methodology here.

verizon-5g-terrestrial-wireless
Plans starting at
$50/mo.
Available speeds
300-1,000 Mbps
Contract length
None
Call to order: (844) 451-2720
Check plans with Verizon

Cheap internet in Ames

Most internet service providers offer cheap internet plans between $20-$30, for the lowest tier of speed, usually up to 75-100 Mbps. These plans are fast enough for light use in a small household.

Mediacom has the cheapest internet plans in Ames, starting at 100 Mbps for $24.99/mo.

Hughesnet also has an affordable internet plan offering 50 Mbps for $49.99/mo.

Keep in mind that for just $5 or $10 extra a month, the second-to-cheapest plan offered by an ISP is sometimes the better deal, often providing more speed for your dollar.

Cheapest plans

Mediacom
Cheapest Plan
Mediacom logo
Monthly price
$24.99/mo.
Download speed
Up to 100 Mbps
Contract length
None
Connection type
Cable
Call to order
(844) 451-2720
Hughesnet
Next Best Plan
Hughesnet logo
Monthly price
$49.99/mo.
Download speed
Up to 50 Mbps
Contract length
24 mos.
Connection type
Satellite
Call to order
(844) 451-2720

Fastest internet in Ames

The speed you need depends on what you use the internet for. If high-speed internet is necessary for your household to game, work and learn, you'll be happy to know that Quantum Fiber and Verizon 5G Home offer the fastest internet in Ames.

Quantum Fiber has Fiber internet speeds starting at $165.00/mo. For up to 8,000 Mbps while Verizon 5G Home offers plans up to 1,000 Mbps for their Wireless internet.

Fastest plans

Quantum Fiber
Fastest Plan
Quantum Fiber logo
Monthly price
$165.00/mo.
Download speed
Up to 8,000 Mbps
Contract length
None
Connection type
Fiber
Call to order
(844) 451-2720
Verizon 5G Home
Next Best Plan
Verizon 5G Home logo
Monthly price
$50.00/mo.
Download speed
Up to 1,000 Mbps
Contract length
None
Connection type
Wireless
Call to order
(844) 451-2720

Provider coverage map for Ames

Looking for internet service in Ames? Check out this map to see the availability of internet providers in your area.

is available at % of homes in Ames, IA.

View plans

Most available internet providers in Ames

The most available ISPs in Ames is Hughesnet, which serves 100% of the area, with plans starting at $49.99/mo.

Mediacom covers 97% of Ames, with plans beginning at $24.99/mo.

Satellite and 5G home internet are available in nearly 99% of the country, so if cable or fiber internet isn't available at your Ames address, you probably can connect to another internet type.

Most available plans

Hughesnet
Most Available Plan
Hughesnet logo
Monthly price
$49.99/mo.
Download speed
50 Mbps
Contract length
24 mos.
Connection type
Satellite
Call to order
(844) 451-2720
Mediacom
Next Best Plan
Mediacom logo
Monthly price
$24.99/mo.
Download speed
100 Mbps
Contract length
None
Connection type
Cable
Call to order
(844) 451-2720

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Ames internet FAQs

What's the cheapest internet provider in Ames?

Mediacom offers the cheapest internet plan in Ames with plans starting at $24.99/mo. for 100 Mbps.

Hughesnet also offers cheap plans starting at $49.99/mo. for 50 Mbps.

At $0.02 per Mbps the Fiber 8G plan from Quantum Fiber gives you the most value for your dollar.

The fastest internet provider in Ames is Quantum Fiber. It has Fiber internet plans with speeds up to 8,000 Mbps. Verizon 5G Home also has fast Wireless plans up to 1,000 Mbps.

In most cases, your initial cost of buying a modem and router pays for itself within a year. Rental equipment fees from internet providers are usually around $10/mo. and you can buy combination modem/routers (gateways) for under $100. If you want to avoid a monthly fee from your ISP, buying your router is the way to go. If you need support for your equipment, rent it from your ISP and you’ll have access to technical support. See our full guide on whether you should rent or buy internet equipment.

Once you have compared and chosen an internet provider, you often have the choice to install your internet yourself or have the ISP send a tech to your address. If you install it yourself, the ISP will provide you with a step-by-step guide to connect their equipment to yours and set up your Wi-Fi access. If you choose professional installation, all you’ll have to do is schedule an appointment with your ISP and they’ll take care of everything.

When choosing an internet service provider, it’s important to consider technology types. Fiber internet is the fastest and most reliable internet technology type since it provides symmetrical download and upload speeds, but it’s not the most widely available type of internet. We recommend fiber if it’s available at your address, but if not, you have other options.

Cable internet is a common internet type and the best alternative to fiber internet. It offers fast, reliable speeds and is more widely available than fiber. Satellite internet is a great choice if you live in a rural area and other internet technologies aren’t an option.

5G internet, or fixed wireless internet, is another internet technology type to consider. 5G home internet isn’t always as fast as cable or fiber plans, but some providers like T-Mobile are expanding rapidly to offer 5G home internet service to most of the country and can reach speeds up to 245 Mbps.

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Our experts can help you find the right plan at the right price.

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“I loved how helpful the lady I talked to was! She really worked with me to get the outcome I needed.”

- Allconnect customer

Call: (844) 451-2720