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Internet providers in Columbia, MO
Shop the best Columbia internet providers. Compare internet plan pricing and speeds from DSL, cable and fiber-optic providers in your area.
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Columbia, MO internet providers
| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | $44.99 | 200 - 100 Mbps | Cable | 12% |
CenturyLink  | $65.00 | 20 - 1,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 31% |
| CenturyLink | $45.00 | 20 - 80 Mbps | DSL | 89% |
| Mediacom | $29.99 | 60 - 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 95% |
| Socket Telecom | $40.00 | 6 - 50 Mbps | DSL | 79% |
| Sho-Me Technologies | - | - | Fiber-optic | 10% |
| Socket Telecom | $40.00 | 6 - 1,000 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 6.125% |
| HughesNet | $59.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $50.00 | 12 - 12 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 Oct 13, 2021.
Need help?Columbia internet service at a glance
Broadband availability
109309
people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 98.28%
2 providers - 95.22%
3 providers - 84.62%
4+ providers - 16.19%
Source: FCC
At 98%, broadband coverage in Columbia is comparable to the rest of Missouri - 90%, and comparable to broadband coverage across the U.S. - 95%.
The vast majority of those living in the Columbia area will have access to DSL, which covers 96% of Columbia residents. Cable internet is also an option for many, offering service to 96% of the area. Fiber-optic is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 41% of those living in Columbia.
There are seven internet providers serving the Columbia area, and 95.22% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among Columbia's seven internet providers, prices start at $29.99 and available download speeds reach up to 1,000 Mbps.
Top high-speed internet providers in Columbia
The largest internet providers in Columbia are Spectrum and CenturyLink bringing cable, DSL, and fiber-optic options to Columbia.
Cable internet from Spectrum is available to many Columbia residents, covering 12% of households. Many will also have the option of DSL from CenturyLink, which covers 89% of the area. Columbia’s third most-available internet provider, CenturyLink, offers fiber-optic to around 31% of Columbia residents.
Spectrum cable internet
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*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. Speeds may vary. As of Oct 13, 2021.
Cable from Spectrum offers broadband to a limited number of households in Columbia covering 12% of the area.
Spectrum’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but Columbia residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Spectrum start at $44.99/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Columbia, $45.00.
Spectrum customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 200 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $0.22 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Columbia, $0.78.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Spectrum offers download speeds up to 100 Mbps and upload speeds up to 5 Mbps in Columbia. These download speeds are available to 12% of the area, and are much slower than the average max speeds from all Columbia's providers, 545 Mbps.
CenturyLink DSL internet
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*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. Speeds may vary. As of Oct 13, 2021.
DSL from CenturyLink offers broadband to nearly all households in Columbia covering 89% of the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink uses telephone lines in Columbia 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 $45/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Columbia, $45.00.
CenturyLink customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 20 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $2.25 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Columbia, $0.78.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, CenturyLink offers download speeds up to 80 Mbps and upload speeds up to 40 Mbps in Columbia. These download speeds are available to 89% of the area, and are much slower than the average max speeds from all Columbia's providers, 545 Mbps.
CenturyLink fiber-optic internet
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*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. Speeds may vary. As of Oct 13, 2021.
Fiber-optic from CenturyLink offers broadband to some, but not many households in Columbia covering 31% of the area.
Fiber-optic service from CenturyLink is popular for its fast download and upload speeds, even during peak usage times, but may be less available throughout Columbia than other internet types.
Internet prices for CenturyLink start at $65/mo.*, which is significantly higher than the average starting price for internet in Columbia, $45.00.
CenturyLink customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 20 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $3.25 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Columbia, $0.78.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, CenturyLink offers download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps and upload speeds up to 1,000 Mbps in Columbia. These download speeds are available to 31% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Columbia's providers, 545 Mbps.
Internet coverage for rural areas
If you live in the heart of Columbia, you’ll likely have options from cable, DSL, and fiber-optic internet providers. For those in rural areas or just outside Columbia, however, satellite or fixed wireless internet may be the best internet option.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in Columbia and surrounding areas. HughesNet starting prices are significantly higher than average in Columbia at $59.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many Columbia residents, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
Internet provider frequently asked questions
What’s the fastest internet provider in Columbia?
CenturyLink is the fastest internet provider in Columbia with download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 31% of households in Columbia. The next fastest internet provider in Columbia is Mediacom, offering download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps to 95% of the area.
What’s the cheapest internet provider in Columbia?
Mediacom offers the cheapest internet in Columbia with plans starting at $29.99/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in Columbia, $45.00.
Is fiber internet available in Columbia?
CenturyLink is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in Columbia, covering 31% of the city. Sho-Me Technologies also offers fiber internet in Columbia and is available to 10% of households.
Do I need a new modem for fiber internet?
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.
Do I need Wi-Fi extenders?
Wi-Fi extenders are handy when your router can’t project a strong signal to everywhere in your home that you need it. Your internet provider may offer Wi-Fi extenders for an added monthly cost, or you can purchase one online or from most electronics retailers.
How much speed do I need for streaming?
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.
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