Compare 51201 internet speeds to the national average
Download Speeds
Sheldon – 60 Mbps
IA – 100 Mbps
U.S. – 123 Mbps
Upload Speeds
Sheldon – 8 Mbps
IA – 47 Mbps
U.S. – 44 Mbps
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Sheldon.
Internet providers in 51201
Internet providers in your area
51201 internet providers
| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink | $50.00 ** | 10 - 940 Mbps | DSL | 93% |
Windstream  | $75.00 | 200 - 2,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 3.000% |
| Windstream | $19.99 | 200 - 2,000 Mbps | DSL | 2.030% |
| MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY | $59.95 | 25 - 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 92% |
| MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY | $59.95 | 25 - 1,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 43% |
| CML Telephone Cooperative Association | $39.95 | - | Fiber-optic | 8.600% |
| Premier Communications | $39.95 | 10 - 1,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 2.350% |
| HughesNet | $64.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $69.99 | 12 - 150 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| BendBroadband | - | 300 - 1,000 Mbps | Wireless | 92% |
| The Community Agency (TCA) | $35.45 | 15 - 1,000 Mbps | Wireless | 77% |
| ET Deployment | $56.95 | 15 - 50 Mbps | Wireless | 68% |
| Community Internet Service | $28.00 | 5 - 25 Mbps | Wireless | 1.140% |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
**Speeds/pricing may vary. Service is not available everywhere.
Need help?51201 internet service at a glance
Broadband availability
2807
people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 99.59%
2 providers - 93.02%
3 providers - 13.47%
4+ providers - 0%
Source: FCC
At 94%, broadband coverage in the 51201 ZIP code 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 51201 ZIP will have access to DSL, which covers 83% of households. Cable internet is also an option for many, offering service to 52% of the area. Fiber-optic is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 3.080% of those living in the 51201 ZIP code.
There are 11 internet providers serving the 51201 area, and 93.02% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among 11 internet providers in 51201, prices start at $19.99 and available download speeds reach up to 2,000 Mbps.
Results from real users
Average internet speeds in Sheldon
| Provider | Download speed | Upload speed | Internet type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premier Communications | 74 Mbps | 10 Mbps | Fiber-optic |
| CenturyLink | 73 Mbps | 9 Mbps | DSL |
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Sheldon.
Top high-speed internet providers in 51201
The largest internet providers serving the 51201 ZIP code are CenturyLink and MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY bringing DSL, cable, and fiber-optic options to the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink is available to nearly all in the 51201 ZIP code, covering 93% of households. Many will also have the option of cable from MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY, which covers 92% of the area. Sheldon’s third most-available internet provider, MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY, offers fiber-optic to around 43% of residents in the 51201 ZIP code.
CenturyLink DSL internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
DSL from CenturyLink offers broadband to nearly all households in the 51201 ZIP code, covering 93% of the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink uses telephone lines 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 Sheldon, $49.47.
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 Sheldon, $0.77.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, CenturyLink offers download speeds up to 940 Mbps and upload speeds up to 10 Mbps in 51201 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 93% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Sheldon's providers, 54 Mbps.
MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY cable internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
Cable from MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY offers broadband to nearly all households in the 51201 ZIP code, covering 92% of the area.
MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but 51201 residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY start at $59.95/mo.*, which is significantly higher than the average starting price for internet in Sheldon, $49.47.
MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 25 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $2.40 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Sheldon, $0.77.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY offers download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 2 Mbps in 51201 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 92% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Sheldon's providers, 54 Mbps.
MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY fiber-optic internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
Fiber-optic from MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY offers broadband to about half of households in the 51201 ZIP code, covering 43% of the area.
Fiber-optic service from MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY is popular for its fast download and upload speeds, even during peak usage times, but may be less available throughout 51201 ZIP code than other internet types.
Internet prices for MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY start at $59.95/mo.*, which is significantly higher than the average starting price for internet in Sheldon, $49.47.
MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 25 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $2.40 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Sheldon, $0.77.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY offers download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 5 Mbps in 51201 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 43% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Sheldon's providers, 54 Mbps.
Internet coverage for rural areas
If you have limited cable, DSL and fiber-optic internet options in the 51201 ZIP code, satellite and fixed wireless providers may be available.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in 51201 and the greater Sheldon area. HughesNet starting prices are significantly higher than average in Sheldon at $64.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are significantly higher than average in Sheldon at $69.99/mo. for speeds up to 150 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many in the 51201 ZIP, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
Internet providers in 51201 frequently asked questions
Windstream is the fastest internet provider in the 51201 ZIP code with download speeds up to 2,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 3.000% of households in 51201. The next fastest internet provider in the 51201 ZIP code is Windstream, offering download speeds up to 2,000 Mbps to 2.030% of the area.
Community Internet Service offers the cheapest internet in the 51201 ZIP with service starting at $28/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in Sheldon, $49.47.
MUTUAL TELEPHONE COMPANY is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider serving the 51201 ZIP code, covering 43% of the city. CML Telephone Cooperative Association also offers fiber internet in 51201 and is available to 8.600% of households.
There are benefits to using your own router vs. buying or renting one from your internet provider, such as lower monthly costs and more product options. If you choose to use your own router, keep in mind that your internet provider’s tech support may not be able to fully assist you with your personal router. Select providers may not give you the option to use your own router.
The only broadband internet type that requires a phone line is DSL and dial-up, which use phone lines to deliver service. Other internet types, such as cable, fiber-optic and satellite, require no phone line for broadband service.
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