Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
It isn't easy to cover a state's broadband options and give individual cities the attention they deserve. That's why we also compile lists of the best internet providers in cities across the US, including those in North Dakota. We tackle details such as internet connection types, maximum speeds, cheapest providers and more. Check back later if you don't find the city you're looking for below. We're working to add more locations every week.
In Fargo, Sparklight offers a $29-a-month introductory deal for 300Mbps service. That price is good for a year, then goes up to $55 monthly. For more widely available plans, look to Midco and its 250Mbps tier for fiber or cable. Starting prices will vary with where you live in North Dakota, but I found offers of $39 or $49 monthly. Midco sometimes runs even cheaper limited-time deals. I’ve seen the 250Mbps plan for as low as $23 a month for the first three months of service.
Plan | Starting monthly price | Monthly equipment fee | Max download speed |
---|---|---|---|
Sparklight Read full review | $29 | $14 (optional) | 300Mbps |
Midco | $39 | Varies | 250Mbps |
Bluepeak 1 Gig Fiber | $55 | None | 1,000Mbps |
T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($30 with eligible mobile plans) | None | 245Mbps |
Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review | $50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | None | 100Mbps |
Quantum Fiber | $50 | None | 500Mbps |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How many members of your household use the internet?
The best internet deals and top promotions in North Dakota depend on what discounts are available during a given time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
North Dakota internet providers, like Midco, T-Mobile Home Internet and Sparklight, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Others, including CenturyLink, tend to run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of promos, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
North Dakota fared better than South Dakota in a recent Ookla Speedtest.net ranking of median download speeds for US states. While South Dakota landed in 43rd place (average download speed of 151Mbps), North Dakota delivered a respectable showing of 27th place (average download speed of 191Mbps). Midco’s wide coverage, gig and multi-gig top speeds play a role in that. Another factor is fiber coverage in rural areas and smaller towns. You don’t have to live in one of the state’s biggest cities to get fast internet. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
Plan | Starting price | Max download speeds | Max upload speeds | Connection type |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bluepeak 5 Gig | $100 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | Fiber |
Midco Fiber Internet 5 Gig | $249 | 5,000Mbps | 5,000Mbps | Fiber |
Bluepeak 2 Gig | $70 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | Fiber |
Midco Fiber Internet 2 Gig | $129 | 2,000Mbps | 2,000Mbps | Fiber |
Bluepeak 1 Gig | $50 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | Fiber |
Dakota Central | $100 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | Fiber |
DRN | $150 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | Fiber |
SRT Communications | $90 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | Fiber |
Midco Fiber Internet Gig | $49 | 1,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | Fiber |
Midco Gig Internet | $49 | 1,000Mbps | 50Mbps | Cable |
Quantum Fiber | $75 | 940Mbps | 940Mbps | Fiber |
Sparklight Read full review | $59 | 940Mbps | 50Mbps | Cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it's impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. What's our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn't end there; we go to the FCC's website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP's service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
While the answers to those questions are often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
Many households in North Dakota have Midco cable, fiber or fixed wireless internet as an option. The service is solid, and the speeds range from reasonable for cable or fixed wireless to crazy-fast regarding fiber. Other providers like Quantum Fiber and Bluepeak have a small presence in North Dakota, but you’re most likely to encounter Midco as a top option.
The story of broadband runs deep and wide across North Dakota. The state’s rural areas are well served by fiber internet. A patchwork of local ISPs covers small towns and remote homes alike. Here’s a partial list of these providers: BEK Communications, Dakota Central, DRN, SRT Communications, Polar Communications, Northwest Communications, MLGC and Consolidated Telcom. You’ll find symmetrical speeds of at least a gig (and sometimes more). That’s plenty fast enough to turn your rural hideaway into an internet fast lane.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in North Dakota?
Of widely available internet plans, look to Midco’s 250Mbps tier as an affordable option. Introductory pricing for either fiber or cable usually starts at $39 a month, but you may spot bigger discounts occasionally. Verizon and T-Mobile offer bundle discounts when you combine 5G home internet with an eligible phone plan.
Which internet provider in North Dakota offers the fastest plan?
Midco's 5,000Mbps fiber plan is one of the fastest in North Dakota but has limited availability. Check on Bluepeak's 5,000Mbps fiber plan if you're in Grand Forks, as well. Many of the local ISPs that service the state's rural areas offer gig fiber speeds.
Is fiber internet available in North Dakota?
Among bigger-name ISPs, Quantum Fiber and Midco have a limited fiber footprint in North Dakota. There are gems in rural areas thanks to the many local fiber ISPs that service small towns and remote locations throughout the state. Dakota Central, DRN and SRT Communications are examples.
What internet provider has the best coverage in North Dakota?
Midco’s cable, fiber and fixed wireless networks cover over 63% of North Dakota households, according to the FCC. The fiber network is the least widespread of the three connection types, but it offers the fastest speeds at up to 5,000Mbps.
Source: cnet.com