Internet connectivity in Idaho Falls has improved over the years, with more providers joining the market. Growing competition has reduced the cost of internet in the city, making it possible to get a reliable internet connection for as low as $30 per month. In addition, the development of internet technology has also made it possible to achieve terrific download speeds of up to 1Gbs.
In this article, we take you through the common ISPs in Idaho Falls, including their plans and speeds, installation fees, pros and cons, the type of internet connection, and available alternatives. Be sure to check out their websites for the latest plans and promotions. Let’s jump in.
1. CenturyLink
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If you are in Idaho Falls, ID, and are looking for an option with plenty of perks, including super-fast speeds and availability, then go for CenturyLink’s Fiber Internet. CenturyLink’s Fiber internet is accessible in over 90% of Idaho Falls, ID, and is the most preferred fiber internet in the area.
Remember, CenturyLink is the country’s fourth-largest fiber and DSL internet provider. The DSL internet plans, though the cheapest and widely available, are often slow.
Pros
- Large coverage
- No-contracts
- Unlimited internet
- High speeds
Cons
- Limited plans
- DSL internet can be very slow.
Plans and Speeds
CenturyLink has few internet plans, with the lowest fiber plan starting from $30/month. The ISP offers a download speed of up to 940Mbps on its high-price plans making it an excellent option for streaming and online gaming. Its DSL packages are slightly expensive, beginning at $50/month, and are suitable for places without fiber infrastructure.
Installation and Other Fees
To get CenturyLink Fiber internet, you need to rent the provider’s modem at $15 per month or acquire it through a one-time purchase of $200. Professional installation can cost up to $149, besides an additional $19.9 activation fee. You can, however, avoid some of these costs by making purchases during promotions.
Bundling
CenturyLink partners with TV and streaming service providers to provide internet + TV bundles. Some of its partners are DIRECTV STREAM, DIRECTTV Satellite, and DISH, among others.
Alternative
Silver Star is the other noteworthy Fiber internet ISP in Idaho Falls, ID. It offers 1Gbps download speeds making it preferable to businesses in the city. It also offers DSL and Fixed Wireless Internet. However, it is only available in about 12% of Idaho Falls, ID.
2. Viasat
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A good option for those unable to access wifi or cable internet, Viasat is the leading satellite internet provider in Idaho Falls, ID. While CenturyLink’s fiber internet is suitable for urban areas, Viasat’s satellite internet remains a good choice for those living in rural and remote parts of Idaho Falls.
Pros
- Fastest satellite internet provider
- Numerous data plans and speed options
- Has free zone hours for unlimited data usage
- Flexible data limits
- 100% availability
Cons
- Is affected by weather conditions
- Starting prices are high
Plans and Speeds
The starting price for Viasat satellite internet is $69.99/month, which is significantly high, considering that some ISPs in the city ask for less than half of that. But Viasat promises a reliable and efficient internet connection. It is the fastest satellite ISP in the area; its download speed can go up to 150Mbps, though in reality, it averages at 50Mbps. As expected, it suffers from high latency and limited data allowances.
Viasat internet is unlimited on paper, but there is a limit beyond which the internet connection slows down. However, there are Free Zones times when users have unlimited data access.
Installation and Other Fees
Dish installation is mostly free, but Viasat might sometimes charge an installation fee. You can rent the Viasat dish and pay monthly or enter a lifetime lease. The second option will save you some money but is only viable if you stick with the ISP for more than 2 years.
The other cost worth considering is the ETF, early termination fees. Unlike CenturyLink, Viasat requires a 24-month contract on its plans. It charges a monthly ETF of $15 monthly penalty on the remaining months of the contract in case of early termination. This can make it extremely expensive if the cancellation comes in the first months of the contract.
Bundling
Viasat allows bundling together of the internet with either Viasat voice or DISH. The voice package allows unlimited local and long-distance calls and comes at only $19.99/month. Depending on your chosen plan, you can access over 290 DISH channels and almost unlimited titles.
Alternatives
The satellite internet alternative to Viasat in Idaho Falls is HughesNet. It offers more plans than Viasat and 50GB of free data between 2 am and 8 am. However, its speed is low, maxing out at 25Mbps. Even though it offers free installation in certain parts of the city, the equipment fee is high.
3. Rise Broadband
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One of the biggest Fixed Wireless providers in the US, Rise Broadband is a leading ISP for Fixed Wireless providers in Idaho Falls, ID serving 98.9% of the city. Their lines run directly to customers’ homes.
Pros
- Contract-free
- Available in rural areas
- Good customer service
Cons
- Data caps
- Affected by poor weather
Plans and Speeds
Rise Broadband offers four internet-only plans structured based on speed and data limit. The first two plans are 25Mbps and 50Mbps plans with a 250GB data cap, while the other two are 25Mbps and 50Mbs with unlimited data.
At an extra fee of $7, Rise Broadband helps manage your local network and allows parental controls on your home network using a mobile app.
Installation and Other Fees
Rise Broadband charges significantly high installation fees, but you can avoid the cost by opting for free self-installation.
Bundling
Rise Broadband does not provide TV bundles but has bundles for phone and security tools. Their ActivePhone allows you to make phone calls using the internet instead of landlines. With the Rise @Home bundle, you get internet and device security support.
Alternatives
Anthem broadband and Fybercom are two top alternative fixed wireless ISPs in Idaho Falls, ID. Anthem Broadband is available in 99.9% of Idaho Falls and has an advertised maximum speed of 50Mbps. Fybercom is the least available of the two, covering only 33% of the city. However, it offers the highest speed in this category- 1Gbps. Consequently, it is bound to grow fast in the coming years as its demand increases.
4. T-Mobile
Some internet service providers use the latest 5G cellular network to provide internet services in Idaho Falls. T-Mobile’s 5G Home Internet is such an example. As the 5G infrastructure is still developing, 5G Internet by T-Mobile is only available to slightly more than half of Idaho Falls and is more focused on rural areas.
Pros
- Easy installation
- Available in rural areas
- No contracts
- Unlimited data
Cons
- Slower speeds in areas where users are congested
Plans and Speeds
T-Mobile uses a combination of fixed wireless technology, 5G coverage, and its 4G LTE to deliver internet speeds between 33-182Mbps at a starting price of $50/month. You can pay less if you use AutoPay. Those who subscribe to its services for over two months also get a $100 Virtual Prepaid Mastercard. If you do not like the service within the first two weeks, there is a 15-day money-back guarantee.
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet has several plans for streaming lovers. They include unlimited YouTube for only $10/month. New subscribers get free Paramount Plus for the first year and access to SiriusXM for six months.
Installation and Other Fees
T-Mobile charges a mandatory connection fee of $35. Late payment on monthly subscriptions also attracts a $5 charge. T-Mobile 5G Home Internet comes with a free 5G Home Wi-Fi gateway, but you need to return it at the termination of your subscription. Failing to do so might attract up to $370 in penalties.
Bundling
T-Mobile does not provide TV bundles but offers options for pairing the internet subscription with streaming services like YouTube TV and Philo at an additional monthly fee.
Alternatives
The alternative 5G internet provider in Idaho Falls is EarthLink. They deliver 100Mbps and are currently available to only 20.8% of Idaho Falls.
5. Sparklight
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Covering 91.5 of the city, Sparklight is the leading cable internet provider in Idaho Falls. Though Sparklight’s service is marketed as cable internet, the infrastructure combines coaxial cable and fiber. The result is significantly high download and upload speeds.
Pros
- Extensive availability
- No contracts
- Good customer service
- Several bundling options
Cons
- High activation fees
- Not all plans provide unlimited data
Plans and Speed
Sparklight plan begins from $65/month, offering 200 Mbps and 20 Mbps download and upload speeds, respectively and the data caps at 700GB. The ISPs promises 940 Mbps for downloads, 50Mbps for uploads, plus unlimited data on its Gigabit plan.
Installation and Other Fees
In addition to the monthly fees, Sparklight charges a monthly $11 rental fee on its Wi-Fi ONE modem. However, you can avoid this by opting for your own modem, provided it is compatible with Sparklight’s equipment.
The provider also charges a one-time activation fee of $30, which you can get back within 30 days of purchasing the service, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. Other fees include $10 for every 100GB above the limit, late monthly payment charges, and a $5/month subscription for maintenance expenses.
Bundling
Sparklight has numerous TV and phone no-contract bundling packages.
Alternative
Apparently, Sparklight is the only reliable cable internet ISP in the region.
Tips for Choosing an ISP in Idaho Falls, ID
Now that you know the top ISPs in Idaho Falls, you can easily identify the right one. Here are six quick tips to remember when finding the right internet service provider from a list of options.
Availability: Going for a service provider not available in your area will attract high intraductal costs, especially if it is fiber or cable internet.
Speeds: On any day, higher speeds are better, but do not buy more speed or bandwidth than you need.
The costs: Look beyond the monthly charges into the prices stipulated in the fine print. They include activation costs, ETFs, equipment rental charges, and maintenance costs.
Promos and deals: If all the boxes are checked, go for an ISP that offers promo sales. However, remember to read the fine print before inking the dotted lines.
Reliability: Reliability is crucial, especially if you use the internet to conduct crucial business. You can find this out by checking customer reviews online. Also, consider factors such as the effects of extreme weather conditions on connectivity.
Equipment: Some ISPs allow you to use your equipment while others insist on theirs, at a fee, of course.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©ANDRANIK HAKOBYAN/Shutterstock.com.
