| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier | $54.99 | Varies | DSL | 11% |
| CenturyLink | $50.00 ** | 10 - 940 Mbps | DSL | 82% |
| CenturyLink | $50.00 ** | 10 - 940 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 9.084% |
| Midcontinent Communications | $50.00 | 10 - 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 96% |
| HughesNet | $64.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $69.99 | 12 - 150 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
Communications  | - | - | Wireless | 4.582% |
*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.
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people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 99.76%
2 providers - 95.79%
3 providers - 7.22%
4+ providers - 0%
Source: FCC
At 98%, broadband coverage in Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake area will have access to cable, which covers 97% of Forest Lake residents. DSL internet is also an option for many, offering service to 11% of the area. Fiber-optic is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 9.080% of those living in Forest Lake.
There are six internet providers serving the Forest Lake area, and 95.79% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among Forest Lake's six internet providers, prices start at $50 and available download speeds reach up to 1,000 Mbps.
Results from real users
| Provider | Download speed | Upload speed | Internet type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Viasat | 21 Mbps | 2 Mbps | Satellite |
| Frontier | 11 Mbps | 0 Mbps | DSL |
| CenturyLink | 88 Mbps | 51 Mbps | DSL |
| Consolidated Communications | 131 Mbps | 32 Mbps | Wireless |
| Midcontinent Communications | 119 Mbps | 25 Mbps | Cable |
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Forest Lake.
The largest internet providers in Forest Lake are Frontier, CenturyLink, and Midcontinent Communications bringing DSL and cable options to Forest Lake.
DSL internet from Frontier is available to many Forest Lake residents, covering 11% of households. Many will also have the option of DSL from CenturyLink, which covers 82% of the area. Forest Lake’s third most-available internet provider, Midcontinent Communications, offers cable to around 96% of Forest Lake residents.
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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 Frontier offers broadband to a limited number of households in Forest Lake covering 11% of the area.
DSL internet from Frontier uses telephone lines in Forest Lake 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 Frontier start at $54.99/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Forest Lake, $57.99.
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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 Forest Lake covering 82% of the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink uses telephone lines in Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake, $57.99.
CenturyLink customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 10 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $5.00 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Forest Lake, $3.41.
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 Forest Lake. These download speeds are available to 82% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Forest Lake's providers, 548 Mbps.
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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 nearly all households in Forest Lake covering 96% of the area.
Midcontinent Communications’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but Forest Lake 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 Forest Lake, $57.99.
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, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Forest Lake, $3.41.
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 Forest Lake. These download speeds are available to 96% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Forest Lake's providers, 548 Mbps.
If you live in the heart of Forest Lake, you’ll likely have options from cable, DSL, and fiber-optic internet providers. For those in rural areas or just outside Forest Lake, however, satellite or fixed wireless internet may be the best internet option.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in Forest Lake and surrounding areas. HughesNet starting prices are higher than average in Forest Lake at $64.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are significantly higher than average in Forest Lake at $69.99/mo. for speeds up to 150 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many Forest Lake residents, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
Midcontinent Communications is the fastest internet provider in Forest Lake with download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 96% of households in Forest Lake. The next fastest internet provider in Forest Lake is CenturyLink, offering download speeds up to 940 Mbps to 82% of the area.
CenturyLink offers the cheapest internet in Forest Lake with plans starting at $50/mo. This is slightly less than the average starting price for internet in Forest Lake, $57.99.
CenturyLink is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in Forest Lake, covering 9.084% 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.
According to the FCC, 93% of households have access to three or more providers. In many areas, a cable, DSL, satellite and possibly fiber-optic provider may be available. You are unlikely, however, to find multiple providers of the same internet type, such as two cable providers, in the same location because operating expenses in an area already served by another provider can be too high to be profitable.
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.
*GIG: Limited time offer; subject to change; valid to qualified residential customers who have not subscribed to any services within the previous 30 days and who have no outstanding obligation to Charter. Spectrum Internet® Gig promotion price is $89.99/mo; standard rates apply after yr. 1. Taxes, fees and surcharges extra and subject to change during and after the promotional period; installation/network activation, equipment and additional services are extra. General Terms: INTERNET: Speed based on wired connection and may vary by address. Wireless speeds may vary. Services subject to all applicable service terms and conditions, subject to change. Services not available in all areas. Restrictions apply. Enter your address to determine availability. ©2022 Charter Communications.
Speed based on wired connection. Available Internet speeds may vary by address. Gig capable modem required for Gig speed. For a list of Gig capable modems, visit spectrum.net/modem
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