Internet Providers in Ames, NE

Over 940 people in Ames found the best Internet Provider in the last 30 days.

#1

EarthLink Fiber

94.61% availability
EarthLink Fiber logo

Connection Types:

Fiber
Speed up to:

5 Gbps

User Review:

(2728)

View Plans

100% Fiber. All the way to your door. $24.95/mo

#2

CenturyLink

4.84% availability
CenturyLink logo

Connection Types:

Fiber / DSL / Fixed Wireless / Television / Phone
Speed up to:

20 Mbps

User Review:

(2639)

View Plans

Unlimited, Uncomplicated, Unbundled

#3

Viasat

96.42% availability
Viasat logo

Connection Types:

Satellite / Phone
Speed up to:

150 Mbps

User Review:

(2975)

View Plans
#4

HughesNet

98.44% availability

Connection Types:

Satellite / Phone
Speed up to:

100 Mbps

User Review:

(2869)

*24-month commitment and early service termination fees apply. Monthly Fee reflects the applied $5 savings for ACH enrollment. Offer may vary by geographic area.

Unlimited Data – With no hard data limits, if you use the data in your plan, speeds will reduce.

#5

Starlink

97% availability

Connection Types:

Satellite
Speed up to:

400 Mbps

User Review:

(2978)

View Plans

Fast Satellite Internet available almost anywhere on Earth.

Television Only Providers in Ames, NE

#1Dish Network

  • DISH is ranked #1 in Customer Satisfaction by J.D. Power for the third year in a row.
  • 2-Year TV Price Guarantee.
  • Free Google Voice Remote and Smart DVR Included.
  • Record up to 16 shows at once.
  • 80,000 On Demand Titles.
  • FREE Standard Professional Installation from a trusted, local expert.
Pricing starting at:
$64.99

#2DIRECTV

  • Best entertainement options for any sports fan over Cable TV, including NFL Sunday Ticket!
  • Includes local channels
  • HBO, Showtime, Starz, Cinemax free for first 3 months
  • Free upgrade to Genie HD-DVR
  • Free professional installation in up to 4 rooms
Pricing starting at:
$64.99

Best Internet Providers in Ames

Ames sits on the High Plains, ringed by wide fields of corn and soy. Out near the agricultural plots, long driveways and spread-out lots make it expensive for crews to string new lines, which pushes networks to follow denser streets and the small commercial strip. Fiber is widely available in downtown Ames and on the north-side neighborhoods, while rural addresses and distant farmsteads are concentrated on fixed wireless or satellite service. Given the town's postwar street grid and recent suburban infill, providers prioritized denser pockets first, so speeds and upload capacity feel strong around the square but drop noticeably once you cross the last cluster of mailboxes.

In Ames, 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 Ames, so it is worth checking your exact address first.

Rise Broadband is usually the most widely available choice in Ames and a strong option when you need a reliable connection. Its network reaches approximately 100% of Ames, with speeds up to 15 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, Rise Broadband 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 5% of Ames, and speeds range between 100 Mbps and 20 Mbps, which is enough for streaming, video calls, and everyday home use. It can be a great fit in parts of Ames where signal strength is strong.

CenturyLink or Viasat may still offer service in parts of Ames, if none of these are available at your address, with speeds up to 20 Mbps. Since promotions change often, it is always smart to check current deals before you order.

What is the fastest internet provider in Ames?

EarthLink Fiber is the fastest internet provider in Ames, NE, with download speeds up to 5 Gbps and upload speeds up to 1 Gbps — available to 94.61% of the city.
ProviderConnectionsMax DownloadMax UploadAvailability
EarthLink FiberFiber5 Gbps1 Gbps94.61%
StarlinkSatellite400 Mbps44 Mbps97.00%
ViasatSatellite / Phone150 Mbps3 Mbps96.42%
HughesNetSatellite / Phone100 Mbps5 Mbps98.44%
CenturyLinkFiber / DSL / Fixed Wireless / Television / Phone20 Mbps20 Mbps4.84%

What is the cheapest internet provider in Ames?

EarthLink Fiber offers the cheapest internet in Ames starting at $39.95/month with speeds up to 5 Gbps. Viasat offers the next lowest price at $49.99/month.
ProviderStarting PriceSpeedContractData Cap
EarthLink Fiber$39.95Up to 5 GbpsYesUnlimited
Starlink$55.00Up to 400 MbpsNoUnlimited
Viasat$49.99Up to 150 MbpsNoUnlimited
HughesNet$74.99*Up to 100 MbpsYes100-200 GB
CenturyLink$50.00Up to 20 MbpsNoUnlimited

What type of internet connection is best in Ames?

Ames has 3 main types of internet connections. Your best option depends on where you live and what you need.

DSL

4.84%

CenturyLink, max 20 Mbps. Being phased out for fiber. Only consider if no other options exist.

5G Wireless

100.00%

No contracts or data caps. CenturyLink leads at 4.84%. Typical 15 Mbps - 450 Mbps. Great for renters and budget-conscious users.

Satellite

100.00%

Viasat (150 Mbps), HughesNet (100 Mbps), Starlink (400 Mbps). Higher latency. Last resort for most Ames residents.

Ames, NE - Internet Connection and Coverage Map

Ames, NE has a total of 7 internet providers including  1 DSL providers, 3 Fixed Wireless providers and 3 Satellite providers.

Compare Internet Providers in Ames, NE by Coverage Area

All 7 internet providers serving Ames by coverage area. This is the most comprehensive provider comparison available for the city — no competitor lists more than 4 providers with coverage data.

ProviderMax DownloadMax UploadInternet ConnectionCoverage
1.Rise Broadband15 Mbps3 MbpsFixed Wireless100.00%
2.Future Technologies20 Mbps5 MbpsFixed Wireless100.00%
3.HughesNet100 Mbps5 MbpsSatellite / Phone98.44%
4.Starlink400 Mbps44 MbpsSatellite97.00%
5.Viasat150 Mbps3 MbpsSatellite / Phone96.42%
6.EarthLink Fiber5 Gbps1 GbpsFiber94.61%
7.CenturyLink20 Mbps20 MbpsFiber / DSL / Fixed Wireless / Television / Phone4.84%

Is there financial assistance for internet service in Ames?

Yes. Ames residents may qualify for free or discounted internet service through the federal Lifeline program, or provider-specific, low-income, affordable internet plans.

Federal Program

Lifeline

An FCC program that provides up to a $9.25/mo discount on internet service to eligible low-income households at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions about Ames

EarthLink Fiber is the best internet provider in Ames, NE, based on speed and pricing. It's Fiber internet reaches speeds up to 5 Gbps, and plans start at $39.95. When comparing providers and plans, keep in mind how you use the internet and how many others in your household use it. High-demand activities, like streaming and working from home, and multiple users will require faster speeds to avoid buffering and poor performance.

There are 7 internet providers in Ames, NE. Residents have a variety of service options, including DSL, fixed wireless and satellite.

EarthLink Fiber offers the cheapest internet plans that start at $39.95. Note that some pricing may be promotional or tied to autopay and paperless billing. If it is promotional pricing, your monthly bill will likely go up when the promo ends.

EarthLink Fiber has the fastest speeds in Ames, with a top download speed of 5 Gbps. Faster speeds provide more bandwidth for work-from-home activities (like video conferencing), online gaming, 4K video streaming, and households with multiple users and devices.

Yes, fiber internet is available in Ames. We recommend fiber internet for its fast symmetrical (equal) download and upload speeds, low latency for real-time activities like gaming and video calls, and its stability and resilience to interference. Fiber availability varies by address.

Yes. Ames residents could get assistance to reduce internet costs through various programs. Since the ACP (Affordable Connectivity Program) ended in 2024, eligible households may take advantage of the federal Lifeline program, which provides up to $9.25/month in discounts.

If it's available in Ames, fiber internet is the best internet option for online gaming. Fiber offers the fastest download and upload speeds, but more importantly, it offers very low latency, which is important for fast-paced games that rely on stability and quick response times.

No, 5G home internet is not available in Ames. Use our search tool at BroadbandSearch to see what services and providers are available in your area.

The average download speed in Ames is 28 Mbps. For comparison, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband internet as having a download speed of 100 Mbps and an upload speed of 20 Mbps. Go to TestMySpeed and run an internet speed test to see how fast your internet connection is compared to speeds in Ames, NE.

HughesNet, Starlink, Viasat, EarthLink Fiber, and CenturyLink offer internet in Ames, NE.

  • HughesNet: Offers speeds up to 100 Mbps starting at $74.99*/mo.
  • Starlink: Offers speeds up to 400 Mbps starting at $55.00/mo.
  • Viasat: Offers speeds up to 150 Mbps starting at $49.99/mo.
  • EarthLink Fiber: Offers speeds up to 5 Gbps starting at $39.95/mo.
  • CenturyLink: Offers speeds up to 20 Mbps starting at $50.00/mo.

Internet Providers in Nearby Cities

Cedar Bluffs, NE Inglewood, NE Morse Bluff, NE North Bend, NE Fremont, NE Nickerson, NE Colon, NE Hooper, NE Fontanelle, NE Winslow, NE Leshara, NE Prague, NE Malmo, NE Arlington, NE Rogers, NE Scribner, NE Linwood, NE Wahoo, NE Valley, NE Mead, NE Abie, NE Yutan, NE Weston, NE King Lake, NE Snyder, NE

How We Research Internet Providers

BroadbandSearch is committed to providing accurate and current internet provider data so you can choose the provider and service in your area that best suits your needs and budget. Here is how we source and verify the information we provide:

Data Sources

We pull provider data from FCC Broadband Data Collection filings, the NTIA National Broadband Map, U.S. Census Bureau data, and direct provider disclosures.

Coverage

Availability percentages represent estimated households that can order service, based on FCC Form 477 data and provider-reported service areas.

Reviews

Aggregated reviews from verified BroadbandSearch users. Ratings are based on speed performance, reliability, customer service, and value.

Updates

We review pricing monthly and coverage is updated quarterly with new FCC data. Last updated: August 4, 2026.

BroadbandSearch earns commissions from some providers. These partnerships do not influence rankings or editorial recommendations. Learn more about our data sources →