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Internet providers in Des Moines, IA

Des Moines City Map

Internet providers in your area

Des Moines, IA internet providers

Provider
CenturyLink $50.00 ** 10 - 940 MbpsDSL62%
CenturyLink $50.00 ** 10 - 940 MbpsFiber-optic3.122%
Mediacom $19.99 100 - 1,000 MbpsCable99%
Aureon Network Services - -DSL2.635%
Aureon Network Services - -Wired0.105%
Shop providers Need help? Call: (844) 512-2720

Des Moines internet service at a glance

At 98%, broadband coverage in Des Moines is comparable to the rest of Iowa - 96%, and comparable to broadband coverage across the U.S. - 95%.

The vast majority of those living in the Des Moines area will have access to cable, which covers 98% of Des Moines residents. DSL internet is also an option for many, offering service to 18% of the area. Fiber-optic is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 7.900% of those living in Des Moines.

There are six internet providers serving the Des Moines area, and 97.57% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among Des Moines's six internet providers, prices start at $19.99 and available download speeds reach up to 1,000 Mbps.

Results from real users

Average internet speeds in Des Moines

ProviderDownload speedUpload speedInternet type
HughesNet 14.0 Mbps 1.0 Mbps Satellite
Mediacom 175.0 Mbps 23.0 Mbps Cable
CenturyLink 86.0 Mbps 53.0 Mbps DSL
Aureon Network Services 110.0 Mbps 60.0 Mbps Wired

Top high-speed internet providers in Des Moines

The largest internet providers in Des Moines are CenturyLink, Mediacom, and HughesNet bringing DSL, cable, and satellite options to Des Moines.

DSL internet from CenturyLink is available to most Des Moines residents, covering 62% of households. Many will also have the option of cable from Mediacom, which covers 99% of the area. Des Moines’s third most-available internet provider, HughesNet, offers satellite to around 100% of Des Moines residents.

CenturyLink DSL internet

Provider
CenturyLink
Starting price*
$50/mo.
Max download speed

940 Mbps

Max upload speed

40 Mbps

Average availability

62%

DSL from CenturyLink offers broadband to most households in Des Moines covering 62% of the area.

DSL internet from CenturyLink uses telephone lines in Des Moines to deliver service, which often leads to lower prices and higher availability, though download speeds are likely to be slower than cable or fiber-optic internet.

Internet prices for CenturyLink start at $50/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Des Moines, $46.98.

CenturyLink customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 10 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $5.00 per Mbps, significantly higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Des Moines, $1.30.

For those who value internet speed as much as cost, CenturyLink offers download speeds up to 940 Mbps and upload speeds up to 40 Mbps in Des Moines. These download speeds are available to 62% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Des Moines's providers, 438 Mbps.

Check availability Call us: (844) 512-2720

Mediacom cable internet

Provider
Mediacom
Starting price*
$19.99/mo.
Max download speed

1,000 Mbps

Max upload speed

50 Mbps

Average availability

99%

Cable from Mediacom offers broadband to all households in Des Moines covering 99% of the area.

Mediacom’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but Des Moines residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.

Internet prices for Mediacom start at $19.99/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Des Moines, $46.98.

Mediacom customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 100 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.20 per Mbps, lower than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Des Moines, $1.30.

For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Mediacom offers download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 50 Mbps in Des Moines. These download speeds are available to 99% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Des Moines's providers, 438 Mbps.

Check availability Call us: (844) 512-2720

HughesNet satellite internet

Provider
HughesNet
Starting price*
$64.99/mo.
Max download speed

25 Mbps

Max upload speed

3 Mbps

Average availability

100%

Satellite from HughesNet offers broadband to all households in Des Moines covering 100% of the area.

HughesNet satellite internet offers reliable connection in areas of Des Moines where other internet types may not be available, but service is likely to come with low monthly data allowances and high latency, making streaming binges and real-time online gaming impractical.

Internet prices for HughesNet start at $64.99/mo.*, which is significantly higher than the average starting price for internet in Des Moines, $46.98.

HughesNet customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 25 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $2.60 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Des Moines, $1.30.

For those who value internet speed as much as cost, HughesNet offers download speeds up to 25 Mbps and upload speeds up to 3 Mbps in Des Moines. These download speeds are available to 100% of the area, and are much slower than the average max speeds from all Des Moines's providers, 438 Mbps.

Check availability Call us: (844) 512-2720

Internet provider frequently asked questions

Mediacom is the fastest internet provider in Des Moines with download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 99% of households in Des Moines. The next fastest internet provider in Des Moines is CenturyLink, offering download speeds up to 940 Mbps to 62% of the area.

Mediacom offers the cheapest internet in Des Moines with plans starting at $19.99/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in Des Moines, $46.98.

CenturyLink is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in Des Moines, covering 3.122% of the city.

Upgrading your internet plan or switching to a new provider that offers faster internet service is the best way to get significantly faster speeds, but that will likely also come with a price increase. To get faster internet without changing your plan or provider, upgrade your internet equipment or reduce the number of devices connected to your network.

No matter where you live, your address is likely serviceable for satellite internet from providers such as HughesNet and Viasat. You will probably also have the option of at least one cable provider, such as Cox, Spectrum and Xfinity, and DSL providers such as Frontier and Verizon. Roughly a third of households will be eligible for fiber internet from AT&T, CenturyLink, Windstream or other providers.

Yes. Fiber-optic internet is a completely different technology than DSL or cable internet, and therefore requires a different type of modem. In many cases, you can get the required modem from your internet provider at no extra cost.