Best Internet Providers in Ely
A short drive from Cedar Rapids, Ely still reads like a small town ringed by cornfields and older farmsteads. With its mix of postwar subdivisions, a compact Main Street core, and scattered rural parcels, crews pushed fiber into the denser streets while older neighborhoods and the wide-open edges kept copper or fixed-wireless solutions. Fiber service is concentrated in downtown Ely and the newer subdivisions north of town, while rural parcels and farmsteads are limited to satellite or fixed wireless. So people closer to Main Street usually get low-latency uploads for video calls and gaming, but out toward the farms many households deal with higher latency, tighter data limits, or patchy signal.
In Ely, internet competition varies by neighborhood, but most residents have multiple options to choose from. After reviewing provider availability, plan pricing, typical speeds, and customer sentiment across the 25 areas we track, here are our top recommendations for 2026.
EarthLink Fiber is the standout pick if it is available at your address. With speeds up to 5 Gbps (and, in some areas, symmetrical upload speeds), it is often the best option for gaming, remote work, and busy households with many users and connected devices. Availability has expanded across parts of Ely, so it is worth checking your exact address first.
South Slope Telephone Coop is usually the most widely available choice in Ely and a strong option when you need a reliable connection. Its network reaches approximately 99% of Ely, with speeds up to 220 Mbps and plans starting around N/A/mo, making it the most accessible option for many residents. In neighborhoods where EarthLink Fiber is not offered yet, South Slope Telephone Coop is often the best overall mix of speed and price.
CenturyLink can be a strong third option if you would rather keep things simple, with straightforward pricing around $50/mo and fewer stipulations like symmetrical upload speeds.
Coverage reaches roughly 75% of Ely, and speeds range between 50 Mbps and 10 Mbps, which is enough for streaming, video calls, and everyday home use. It can be a great fit in parts of Ely where signal strength is strong.
CenturyLink or Viasat may still offer service in parts of Ely, if none of these are available at your address, with speeds up to 220 Mbps. Since promotions change often, it is always smart to check current deals before you order.
