| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink | $50.00 ** | 10 - 940 Mbps | DSL | 58% |
| CenturyLink | $50.00 ** | 10 - 940 Mbps | Fiber-optic | 5.262% |
| Midcontinent Communications | $50.00 | 10 - 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 99% |
Vast Broadband  | $39.00 | 4 - 200 Mbps | Cable | 96% |
| Vast Broadband | $39.00 | 4 - 8 Mbps | DSL | 1.053% |
| HughesNet | $64.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $69.99 | 12 - 150 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Western Communications | $48.00 | 10 - 30 Mbps | Wireless | 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 Feb 14, 2023.
**Speeds/pricing may vary. Service is not available everywhere.
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people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 99.84%
2 providers - 97.91%
3 providers - 92.55%
4+ providers - 0%
Source: FCC
At 99%, broadband coverage in Rapid City is comparable to the rest of South Dakota - 98%, and comparable to broadband coverage across the U.S. - 95%.
The vast majority of those living in the Rapid City area will have access to cable, which covers 99% of Rapid City residents. Fiber-optic internet is also an option for many, offering service to 27% of the area. DSL is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 4.890% of those living in Rapid City.
There are six internet providers serving the Rapid City area, and 97.91% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among Rapid City's six internet providers, prices start at $39 and available download speeds reach up to 1,000 Mbps.
The largest internet providers in Rapid City are CenturyLink, Midcontinent Communications, and Vast Broadband bringing DSL and cable options to Rapid City.
DSL internet from CenturyLink is available to most Rapid City residents, covering 58% of households. Many will also have the option of cable from Midcontinent Communications, which covers 99% of the area. Rapid City’s third most-available internet provider, Vast Broadband, offers cable to around 96% of Rapid City 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 Feb 14, 2023.
DSL from CenturyLink offers broadband to about half of households in Rapid City covering 58% of the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink uses telephone lines in Rapid City 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 Rapid City, $53.66.
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 Rapid City, $3.83.
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 Rapid City. These download speeds are available to 58% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Rapid City's providers, 390 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 Feb 14, 2023.
Cable from Midcontinent Communications offers broadband to all households in Rapid City covering 99% of the area.
Midcontinent Communications’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but Rapid City residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Midcontinent Communications start at $50/mo.*, which is about the same as the average starting price for internet in Rapid City, $53.66.
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 Rapid City, $3.83.
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 Rapid City. These download speeds are available to 99% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Rapid City's providers, 390 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 Feb 14, 2023.
Cable from Vast Broadband offers broadband to nearly all households in Rapid City covering 96% of the area.
Vast Broadband’s cable network is likely to offer faster speeds than DSL or satellite service, but Rapid City residents in densely populated areas may experience slowed speeds during peak usage times.
Internet prices for Vast Broadband start at $39/mo.*, which is significantly lower than the average starting price for internet in Rapid City, $53.66.
Vast Broadband customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 4 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $9.75 per Mbps, significantly higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Rapid City, $3.83.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Vast Broadband offers download speeds up to 200 Mbps and upload speeds up to 20 Mbps in Rapid City. These download speeds are available to 96% of the area, and are much slower than the average max speeds from all Rapid City's providers, 390 Mbps.
If you live in the heart of Rapid City, you’ll likely have options from cable, DSL, and fiber-optic internet providers. For those in rural areas or just outside Rapid City, however, satellite or fixed wireless internet may be the best internet option.
Satellite internet from HughesNet and Viasat offers 100% availability in Rapid City and surrounding areas. HughesNet starting prices are significantly higher than average in Rapid City at $64.99/mo. for speeds up to 25 Mbps. Viasat starting prices are significantly higher than average in Rapid City at $69.99/mo. for speeds up to 150 Mbps. Satellite internet is a less appealing option for many Rapid City residents, however, as service typically comes with high latency and low data allowances.
Fixed wireless is another popular internet option for those in rural areas. Those living in or just outside of Rapid City may have access to fixed wireless internet service from HughesNet, with plans starting at $64.99 and available download speeds up to 25 Mbps. Fixed wireless service is less likely to come with the high latency of satellite internet, but monthly data limits can still be an issue compared to Rapid City cable, DSL, and fiber-optic internet providers.
Midcontinent Communications is the fastest internet provider in Rapid City with download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 99% of households in Rapid City. The next fastest internet provider in Rapid City is CenturyLink, offering download speeds up to 940 Mbps to 58% of the area.
Vast Broadband offers the cheapest internet in Rapid City with plans starting at $39/mo. This is significantly less than the average starting price for internet in Rapid City, $53.66.
CenturyLink is the largest fiber-optic internet service provider in Rapid City, covering 5.262% of the city.
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.
Internet deals such as speed upgrades, promotional pricing, equipment perks and free installation are available from many internet providers. Bundling internet with TV and home phone is also a popular way to get a deal on internet.
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.
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