© iStock.com / bymandesigns

Key Points:
  • MVTV Wireless is a company that specializes in fixed wireless. Fixed wireless is essentially the same as satellite internet but with lower speeds.
  • The Midco offers up to 1,000 Mbps download speed and comes with a monthly price that is among the cheapest of all providers on our list.
  • Frontier is known as one of the fastest internet providers in the U.S. With no contracts and data caps, Frontier is a good option for cutting costs on the monthly bill without losing quality.

In today’s Internet of Things (IoT) world, consumers have little choice but to go with an ISP. However, when it comes to deciding the best option for you and your family, there are many factors that need to be considered. Many internet choices in Minnesota are solid but, fortunately for you, we have identified the top 9 providers to choose from.

We considered factors such as speed and customer service to place this list. Additionally, we looked at how important it is for your family to have fast speeds with good customer support before recommending an internet provider. If you have children who depend on streaming video services or online gaming, you should be looking for a provider that allows download speeds of at least 25 Mbps.

Let’s jump into the list of the best internet providers in Minnesota!

Top Internet Providers: Overview

ISPDownload SpeedTechMonthly Price
HughesNetUp to 25 MbpsSatellite$64.99
MVTV Wireless3-25 MbpsFixed wireless$39.95
LTD Broadband6-25 MbpsFixed wireless$50.00
Nextera Communications2-1,000 MbpsFixed wireless$59.99
Midco150-1,000 MbpsCable$49.95
FrontierVariesDSL, fiber$54.99
Mediacom60-1,000 MbpsCable$19.99
Xfinity50-1,200 MbpsCable$30.00
CenturyLink12-940 MbpsDSL, fiber$49.00

9. HughesNet

HughesNet is a satellite internet provider that offers speeds of up to 25 Mbps, with a 99% state availability. It’s great for anyone in rural areas since it requires no wiring, and the provider can be accessed from anywhere. No service contracts are required, and the monthly price starts at $64.99.

It’s ranked number 9 on this list because of the starting price, slow download speeds, and customer service rating. It’s a great option for families living in hard-to-reach places, but if you live closer to a city, faster provider options are available.

The company offers high-speed satellite internet features but at a lower cost. However, keep in mind that its speed is not always as fast as cable or fiber network options.

Hughesnet satellite
HughesNet is a fantastic option for those living in more remote areas.

©Kristi Blokhin/Shutterstock.com

8. MVTV Wireless

MVTV Wireless is a company that specializes in fixed wireless. Fixed wireless is essentially the same as satellite internet but with lower speeds.

MVTV Wireless offers internet speeds from 3 to 25 Mbps, which is a lot slower than most people are used to. However, keep in mind that fixed wireless is generally only used when you have no other option.

For people living in Minnesota, MVTV Wireless is an ideal choice because it has an availability of 6%. This means that MVTV Wireless’s wireless networks cover 6% of Minnesota.

MVTV wireless is one of the most affordable providers in the country for fixed wireless, so it’s a good option if you want affordable (but slow) internet service. Since MVTV Wireless uses fixed wireless, they are vulnerable to things such as weather conditions and local obstructions.

MVTV Wireless ISP internet radio antenna tower
MVTV Wireless only covers 6% of Minnesota, but if you live within that coverage area, it’s a super affordable ISP.

©Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license – License

7. LTD Broadband

LTD Broadband is one of the few companies that rely on fixed wireless technology to deliver high-speed internet to homes. Thus, the company doesn’t have to worry about construction delays or the need for physical infrastructure in order to provide high-speed internet access.

The company offers four internet plans at various prices. The starting monthly price of $50 is a good budget option for families who aren’t interested in regular data caps or premium entertainment options.

LTD Broadband offers a selection of excellent plans. HD TV and movie streaming is included in the top-end plan, which is a nice bonus feature for families with a big appetite for watching videos on their TV sets.

Even though the internet speeds aren’t extremely high, they are still fast enough to be used for basic tasks and entertainment. In fact, one downside of LTD Broadband is that it doesn’t come with any special taxes or fees, which can really add up when you’re trying to live as frugally as possible.

6. Nextera Communications

Nextera Communications is a local provider that has been around since 2008. Nextera’s service package starts at $59.99 per month, which gives you up to 1,000 Mbps download speed and up to 50 Mbps upload speed. You also get a rollover option, up to three additional lines, and a free router.

Nextera is a fixed wireless provider, which simply means that they are not an internet service provider that relies on physical phone lines and cables. Nextera gets its connection through wireless devices and antennas, which allows them to offer its customers a fast internet speed in Minnesota.

5. Midco

The Midco offers up to 1,000 Mbps download speed and comes with a monthly price that is among the cheapest of all providers on our list. Additionally, it’s available in 6% of Minnesota, so you may have access to it if you live in a region that Midco services.

This company has a great reputation for customer support, and if you are interested in bundling your internet service with a TV or phone service, it has plenty of options to help you do that. You can also take advantage of Midco’s deals on smart home devices in case you’d like to get tech-savvy with the help of their top-notch equipment.

As an added bonus, Midco offers packages that allow you to pay extra if you want even faster speeds. These deals are called Midco Xtra, and you can get them for fairly cheap.

Midco ISP cable company internet
Midco only covers 6% of Minnesota, but it’s a solid service with great ratings.

©Tony Webster from Laramie, Wyoming, United States / Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license – License

4. Frontier

Frontier is known as one of the fastest internet providers in the U.S., but that doesn’t mean they don’t make it easy for you to get the most out of your internet connection. With no contracts and data caps, Frontier has proven itself to be a good option for people in Minnesota who want to cut costs on their monthly bill without losing quality.

However, if you are looking for some entertainment on a budget, Frontier only offers a limited selection of streaming services and a relatively slow download speed. This makes Frontier rank as the fourth-best internet provider in Minnesota.

Frontier also has a tendency to go with the flow. If a customer complains about poor service, Frontier will tell you that it’s your computer or something along those lines. The fact of the matter is that Frontier needs to put more effort into improving its quality of service if they want to increase its customer base in Minnesota. Frontier’s speed is good, but they could definitely improve.

Frontier Internet homepage
Frontier offers fast speeds for relatively affordable prices, but their customer service is usually lacking.

©History-Computer.com

3. Mediacom

Mediacom is Minnesota’s third-largest ISP, and they offer reliable internet service throughout the state. Mediacom also offers cable TV and digital telephone services.

It has consistently ranked as a top three overall provider based on a variety of metrics, including fair prices at less than $20/month, Customer Satisfaction Index, and Net Promoter Score. While Mediacom is the cheapest in our list, they also offer high value with an internet package that saves you money while providing fast download speeds of up to 1 Gigabit.

The company has a good track record of not charging data caps and has been constantly ranked as one of the most customer-friendly providers in Minnesota. Mediacom has also significantly upgraded its networks over the past few years, providing cable connections that improve customer speeds throughout the state.

2. Xfinity

Xfinity is one of the largest providers in Minnesota, and most people have no idea that Comcast owns it. Xfinity offers service in all 87 Minnesota counties, and you can get internet speeds starting at 50 Mbps to 1,200 Mbps. One of the main benefits of Xfinity is the ability to bundle your cable TV subscription with a broadband plan.

The Xfinity internet service provider is available in 55% of the state, allowing more people to access its service. This provider provides a cable-like internet service that is fast for most users. The monthly rate starts at $30 a month for the low-end service and goes up to about $60 for the premier option.

This provider also has several options when it comes to its promotions, which allows you to save more money each month than its competitors. In addition to its high speed, Xfinity also recently upgraded its customer service by giving customers more access and better support when it comes to their internet needs.

Xfinity logo at a retail store exterior.
Xfinity is known for its affordable rates, great internet speeds, and solid coverage in Minnesota.

©Ken Wolter/Shutterstock.com

1. CenturyLink

In nearly every region of the state, CenturyLink is considered by locals to be the best option for high-speed internet. One reason why so many people like CenturyLink is that they offer a wide variety of plans. The prices change depending on which plan you choose, and while they tend to be higher than some other providers, the speeds offered are very competitive.

CenturyLink also offers bundle deals that may be worth looking into. These combo deals offer internet and telephone services at a reduced price. Additionally, they also provide great customer service to ensure that you are 100% satisfied with your services.

With all of the benefits offered by this provider, it is no wonder that so many people in Minnesota choose CenturyLink for their internet needs.

CenturyLink internet
CenturyLink earns our top spot for the best internet service provider in Minnesota for its high speeds and affordable plans.

©madamF/Shutterstock.com

Types of Internet Providers in Minnesota

There are 5 major types of Internet providers in Minnesota. Each type will be available in certain areas of the state. Therefore, you will want to ensure that your chosen provider is available in your area.

DSL

This type of internet service is commonly referred to as a digital subscriber line. This is the oldest form of internet broadband in Minnesota and is also available in all areas of the state. With DSL, you will get speeds that range from very slow to slightly fast internet speeds, depending on how far away you are from your ISP’s fiber optic cable.

Cable

Cable internet is the preferred choice for many people since most cities have cable providers offering various packages. Cable internet is a great choice for the majority of residents in the state. However, it tends to be slower than fiber optics.

Satellite Internet

Businesses typically use this service in rural areas that do not have cable or DSL options available. There is no physical cable line to run through your house; therefore, this service will not go through your modem. Because there is no physical cable, you will get speeds much faster than you would with a DSL or cable connection.

Fiber Optic

This type of service is the newest technology in Minnesota and is offered by most major cable providers. Fiber optic internet allows users to get very fast speeds and is available in more areas than any other type of connection.

Fixed Wireless

This service is great for those living in areas with no wired providers. It uses the same technology as satellite internet, and the connection goes directly through your modem. This is perfect if you want a fast internet connection without having to go through a physical wire. The speeds are comparable to fiber optic, so this may be a good option if you love living in the woods but want to get wireless internet service.

Up Next…

Top 9 Internet Providers in Minnesota FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) 

Is it possible to get faster internet speeds?

Yes. If you can only get DSL or cable, you might want to look into the other options available in your area. Fiber optic service is really the fastest way to get an internet connection, and many cable providers offer this service.

Will my children be safe online?

Yes. The benefits of having a fast internet connection in your home are more than worth any potential dangers that come from being on the internet.

Can my children or other family members view what I am doing online?

There are services that can be used to keep your family from being able to view what you are doing online. Additionally, if you have children in the home, you should make sure that they know not to go on age-inappropriate websites.

When I try to access things online, it takes a long time to load. Why is this?

This common problem can be solved by changing your internet service provider. If you use another type of internet service in the state, you may want to switch to one that offers faster speeds.

Which internet provider should I choose?

CenturyLink, Comcast, and Frontier are all good options for internet service. All three providers offer various speeds for their internet packages, so you will want to choose the one that you feel will fit your needs best.

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