CenturyLink – Best fiber internet provider in Bismarck
- Prices from $49 – $65 per month
- Speeds from 200 – 940Mbps
- Unlimited data
Midco, our pick for the best internet in Bismarck, recently announced that it would invest $200 million to expand its fiber network in North Dakota, with the goal of servicing 10-gigabit speeds by 2030. Multiple other providers in the state’s capital currently offer gig speeds, the connections required to stream and game from several devices at once. That’s a rarity in a US city of this size — and you should be able to access fast, reliable internet at just about any address in the area.
Our team considers speeds, pricing, customer service and overall value to recommend the best internet service in Bismarck across a variety of categories. Our evaluation includes referencing a proprietary database built over years of reviewing internet services. We validate that against provider information by spot-checking local addresses for service availability. We also do a close read of providers’ terms and conditions and, when needed, will call ISPs to verify the details.
Despite our efforts to find the most recent and accurate information, our process has some limitations you should know about. Pricing and speed data is variable: Certain addresses may qualify for different tiers of service and monthly costs may vary, even within a city. The best way to identify your particular options is to plug your address into a provider’s website.
Note that the prices, speed and other information listed above and in the provider cards below may differ from what we found in our research. The cards display the full range of a provider’s pricing and speed across the US, according to our database of plan information provided directly by ISPs, while the text is specific to what’s available in Bismarck. The prices referenced within this article’s text come from our research and include applicable discounts for setting up automatic payments each month — a standard industry offering. Other discounts and promotions might be available as well, for things like committing to a contract or bundling with a cellphone plan.
To learn more about how we review internet providers, visit our full methodology page.
Best internet providers in Bismarck
The best internet providers in Bismarck strike a balance between speed, price and availability. Those listed below are widely available in the area, but you’ll still need to check your address to see what plans you can get.
Price range $49 – $79 per month Speed range 250 – 1,000Mbps Connection Cable Highlights Unlimited data, no contracts, 30-day guarantee
Midco offers fast, reliable cable internet to almost every address in Bismarck. Cable internet doesn’t provide the same symmetrical speeds as fiber, but Midco still reaches gig speeds. Midco is also the highest-rated ISP in the region by overall satisfaction, according to J.D. Power.
Availability: Midco plans are available virtually everywhere in Bismarck, covering 99% of households, according to Federal Communications Commission mapping data.
Plans and pricing: Midco has four internet plans in Bismarck. You can get download speeds of 250Mbps for $49, 500Mbps for $59, 750Mbps for $69 and 1,000Mbps for $79.
Fees and service details: Though Midco’s plans are competitively priced, the monthly price increases by $11 after the first year. All Midco internet plans feature unlimited data. The company charges $9 per month for a modem or $11 per month for a modem/router combo (if you don’t have your own Wi-Fi router).
CenturyLink
Best fiber internet provider in Bismarck
Product details
T-Mobile Home Internet
Best alternative to wired home internet in Bismarck
Product details
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
What other internet options are there in Bismarck?
There are a few other options available for internet in Bismarck. They provide inferior service and higher prices, though, and CNET’s analysis suggests you’re better off with one of the four highlighted above. If your address isn’t eligible for one of those, here are other options to explore:
- Earthlink: Internet service from Earthlink uses the networks of other providers. In Bismarck, Earthlink primarily uses CenturyLink’s DSL network. When I checked a few addresses around town, the top speeds I could find through Earthlink were 10Mbps — well below what most households need.
- Satellite internet: Satellite internet is available almost everywhere in the country but comes with long contracts, slow speeds, low data caps and high latency. HughesNet has a slightly better track record with outages than its main rival, Viasat, but neither are great options. The newer Starlink service from SpaceX provides faster speeds, but equipment costs a hefty $599 upfront.
- Verizon 5G Home Internet: Like T-Mobile, Verizon leverages its 5G cellular network to provide home internet. Speeds can get up to 1,000Mbps at some addresses, but it’s currently only available to about 4% of Bismarck households.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data
Internet speeds in Bismarck
Residents of Bismarck can expect to find a wide range of options for their internet needs, with the highest speeds available being up to 1,000Mbps. While that’s more than enough speed for most people, fiber providers like AT&T and Frontier offer speeds up to 5,000Mbps in some cities.
Fastest internet plans in Bismarck
Is fiber internet available in Bismarck?
Which internet provider in Bismarck offers the fastest plan?
