Compare 56601 internet speeds to the national average
Download Speeds
Bemidji – 116 Mbps
MN – 112 Mbps
U.S. – 123 Mbps
Upload Speeds
Bemidji – 59 Mbps
MN – 35 Mbps
U.S. – 44 Mbps
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Bemidji.
Internet providers in 56601
Internet providers in your area
56601 internet providers
| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink | $50.00 ** | 10 - 940 Mbps | DSL | 37% |
Paul Bunyan Communications  | $60.00 | 250 - 10,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 100% |
| Midcontinent Communications | $50.00 | 10 - 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 67% |
| Paul Bunyan Communications | $60.00 | 250 - 10,000 Mbps | DSL | 25% |
| HughesNet | $64.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $69.99 | 12 - 150 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
*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?56601 internet service at a glance
Broadband availability
20587
people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 100.00%
2 providers - 79.14%
3 providers - 44.82%
4+ providers - 0%
Source: FCC
At 100%, broadband coverage in the 56601 ZIP code is comparable to the rest of Minnesota - 97%, and comparable to broadband coverage across the U.S. - 95%.
The vast majority of those living in the 56601 ZIP will have access to fiber-optic, which covers 72% of households. DSL internet is also an option for many, offering service to 69% of the area. Cable is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 68% of those living in the 56601 ZIP code.
There are five internet providers serving the 56601 area, and 79.14% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among five internet providers in 56601, prices start at $50 and available download speeds reach up to 10,000 Mbps.
Results from real users
Average internet speeds in Bemidji
| Provider | Download speed | Upload speed | Internet type |
|---|---|---|---|
| HughesNet | 25 Mbps | 1 Mbps | Satellite |
| Paul Bunyan Communications | 115 Mbps | 68 Mbps | Fiber-optic |
| Midcontinent Communications | 124 Mbps | 16 Mbps | Cable |
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Bemidji.
Top high-speed internet providers in 56601
The largest internet providers serving the 56601 ZIP code are CenturyLink, Paul Bunyan Communications, and Midcontinent Communications bringing DSL, fiber-optic, and cable options to the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink is available to many in the 56601 ZIP code, covering 37% of households. Many will also have the option of fiber-optic from Paul Bunyan Communications, which covers 100% of the area. Bemidji’s third most-available internet provider, Midcontinent Communications, offers cable to around 67% of residents in the 56601 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 some, but not many households in the 56601 ZIP code, covering 37% 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 lower than the average starting price for internet in Bemidji, $59.00.
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 Bemidji, $0.53.
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 56601 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 37% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Bemidji's providers, 436 Mbps.
Paul Bunyan Communications 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 Paul Bunyan Communications offers broadband to all households in the 56601 ZIP code, covering 100% of the area.
Fiber-optic service from Paul Bunyan Communications is popular for its fast download and upload speeds, even during peak usage times, but may be less available throughout 56601 ZIP code than other internet types.
Internet prices for Paul Bunyan Communications start at $60/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Bemidji, $59.00.
Paul Bunyan Communications customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 250 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.24 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Bemidji, $0.53.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Paul Bunyan Communications offers download speeds up to 10,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 1,000 Mbps in 56601 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 100% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Bemidji's providers, 436 Mbps.
Midcontinent Communications 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 Midcontinent Communications offers broadband to most households in the 56601 ZIP code, covering 67% of the area.
Midcontinent Communications’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but 56601 residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Midcontinent Communications start at $50/mo.*, which is lower than the average starting price for internet in Bemidji, $59.00.
Midcontinent Communications 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 Bemidji, $0.53.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Midcontinent Communications offers download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 20 Mbps in 56601 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 67% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Bemidji's providers, 436 Mbps.
Internet coverage for rural areas
If you have limited cable, DSL and fiber-optic internet options in the 56601 ZIP code, satellite and fixed wireless providers may be available.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in 56601 and the greater Bemidji area. HughesNet starting prices are higher than average in Bemidji at $64.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are significantly higher than average in Bemidji at $69.99/mo. for speeds up to 150 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many in the 56601 ZIP, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
Internet providers in 56601 frequently asked questions
Paul Bunyan Communications is the fastest internet provider in the 56601 ZIP code with download speeds up to 10,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 100% of households in 56601. The next fastest internet provider in the 56601 ZIP code is Paul Bunyan Communications, offering download speeds up to 10,000 Mbps to 25% of the area.
CenturyLink offers the cheapest internet in the 56601 ZIP with service starting at $50/mo. This is slightly less than the average starting price for internet in Bemidji, $59.00.
Paul Bunyan Communications is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider serving the 56601 ZIP code, covering 100% of the city.
Resetting your router and optimizing your router settings can give you an instant speed boost. Consider Wi-Fi extenders if your signal is weaker in certain areas of your home. Also, be sure to check your Wi-Fi network to see if there are any unknown devices or users connected that could be slowing your network.
Each video streaming service has varying recommended speeds, but speeds up to 10 Mbps will often handle streaming on one device. For HD and 4K streaming, consider faster speeds of at least 25 Mbps to reduce buffering and maintain optimal picture quality.
Wi-Fi connects your device to a router, but that router needs to be connected to the internet for your device to also be connected to the internet. You need an internet service provider to get Wi-Fi.
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