Fast, reliable internet is no longer a luxury – it‘s an essential utility for Minnesota households in 2023. As more of our work, education, entertainment and shopping shifts online, having quality broadband becomes critical.
But with a dizzying array of providers making flashy speed claims and confusing bundle offers, selecting the right internet service can overwhelm.
After 13 years advising families on home technology needs, I‘ve seen it all. I know the pain points and potential pitfalls to avoid. I‘ve identified the standout internet providers truly delivering value across the Land of the 10,000 Lakes based on real-world performance.
In this guide, you‘ll discover my 2023 rankings of Minnesota‘s top 9 internet service providers (ISPs). I pored over the state‘s broadband options considering five key criteria:
- Availability – Statewide and regional network coverage
- Speeds – Download/upload speeds offered across pricing tiers
- Affordability – Monthly costs and contract requirements
- Reliability – Consistent performance ratings
- Customer Service – Support responsiveness and satisfaction
Balancing these factors helps match households with the best provider for their budget and needs. Let‘s explore my top internet provider picks for Minnesota residents this year:
Leading the Connectivity Pack
| Provider | Max Download Speed | Starting Monthly Price | MN Coverage | Rank Reasons |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink | 940 Mbps | $49 | 70% | Widespread fiber & DSL |
| Xfinity | 1,200 Mbps | $30 | 55% | Affordable gigabit cable |
| Mediacom | 1,000 Mbps | $19.99 | 25% | Top cable speeds & support |
| Frontier | 500 Mbps | $54.99 | 85% | Improving fiber network |
| Midco | 1,000 Mbps | $49.95 | 6% | Regional cable leader |
CenturyLink seizes the crown for Minnesota‘s top internet provider thanks to broad service availability, fiber investments enabling gigabit speeds, and competitive pricing.
Close behind, Xfinity leverages Comcast‘s massive cable network to deliver affordable plans reaching 1 Gbps across much of the state.
Read on for the full analysis behind these top contenders and more.
9. HughesNet
As America‘s #1 satellite internet provider, HughesNet offers a vital last resort for the 1% of rural Minnesota households still without terrestrial broadband in 2023.
The company‘s orbiting fleet beams internet across 99% of the state. But reliance on space, rather than fiber cables or cell towers, saddles HughesNet subscribers with painfully sluggish speeds.
Credit: BroadbandNow HughesNet Availability Data, 2023
Maximum download rates cap at just 25 Mbps – barely enough for 4K streaming or video calls. And that‘s before factoring in data caps as restrictive as 50 GB per month.
Frequent bad weather also disrupts already laggy satellite connections. So while starting at $64.99 monthly, HughesNet only makes sense in the most desperate dead zones.
{{}} What percent of Minnesota households can access HughesNet satellite internet service?
- ( ) 15%
- ( ) 50%
- [x] 99%
{{}}
8. MVTV Wireless
MVTV Wireless deploys fixed wireless technology across 6% of Minnesota to offer internet free of cables and fiber. Signals instead transmit from mounted antennas and towers directly to home receivers.
This flexibility allows MVTV to reach rural users other providers bypass. But dependence on radio equipment rather than direct wires caps speeds well below modern standards.
MVTV Coverage Areas Highlighted, BroadbandNow 2023 Data
Maximum download rates sit between 3 to 25 Mbps – adequate for web browsing and SD video but lagging for multiple users. Gamers need not apply.
Upsides include unlimited data, free standard installation, and no contracts locking subscribers in. $39.95 monthly costs also undercut satellite. But you get what you pay for – don‘t expect breakneck speeds.
{{}} True or False: MVTV Wireless offers slower internet speeds than HughesNet.
- [ ] True
- [x] False – HughesNet‘s satellite caps slower
{{}}
7. LTD Broadband
Fixed wireless provider LTD Broadband casts signals to an additional 1% of overlooked rural Minnesota households.
The regional ISP channels download speeds up to 25 Mbps, faster than MVTV Wireless in optimal conditions. Actual rates vary depending on terrain between transmitters and home receivers though.
Costs start at $50 monthly for 6 to 10 Mbps – not amazing rates but reasonably priced given the remote context. Faster 25 Mbps connections run $70.
LTD Broadband Fixed Wireless Towers Highlighted, Company Data 2023
LTD makes for a workable wallet-friendly choice if you require better performance than satellite internet but lack other options. The network won‘t impress power users but facilitates basic needs.
{{}} What technology does LTD Broadband use to deliver its internet service?
- Satellite
- [x] Fixed Wireless
- DSL
- Fiber Optic
{{}}
6. Nextera Communications
Among Minnesota‘s newer ISPs, Nextera Communications entered the market in 2008 providing fixed wireless and fiber connections.
The company focuses the majority of infrastructure so far on the Twin Cities metro where denser housing justifies investments. Here Nextera offers cables reaching gigabit download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps.
They sell tiered plans spanning 2 Mbps entry-level connections up to the fastest gig. Pricing runs the gamut from $34.99 per month for bare minimum speeds to $199 monthly for uncapped 1 Gbps fiber service.
Nextera Fiber Concentrated Around Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro, Company Data 2023
Nextera provides an affordable gateway to fiber internet for metro households underserved by incumbent giants. Perks like symmetrical uploads, no data caps, 24/7 support and Nextday customer installation prove big draws as well.
Just confirm your address falls within their limited 40% state coverage before buying in.
{{}} How fast are Nextera‘s slowest advertised internet download speeds?
- 1 Mbps
- [x] 2 Mbps
- 3 Mbps
- 5 Mbps
{{}}
5. Midco
Regional cable TV provider Midco began offering internet access across parts of Minnesota in 2021 after acquiring a handful of city-based networks.
The company now reports availability to roughly 6% of state households, primarily clustered around Sioux Falls and southwest Minnesota.
For homes in their footprint, Midco cable offers alluringly affordable gigabit speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. Plans start at $49.95 monthly for baseline 150 Mbps – already faster than the 25 Mbps legal definition of broadband.
Midco Concentrated Along Southwestern Border, Company Data 2023
Early reviews praise Midco‘s smooth streaming even for 4K video and minimal peak period slowdowns. Bundling TV or home phone plans can further drop effective monthly costs too.
Before signing any contracts, do confirm Midco can actually reach your address. But for southwestern cities they cover, Midco provides quality broadband at very wallet-friendly rates.
{{}} How much does Midco charge per month for their lowest-tier 150 Mbps internet package?
- $39.95
- $59.95
- [x] $49.95
{{}}
4. Frontier Communications
Frontier Communications blankets 85% of Minnesota in older copper wire DSL networks inherited from Verizon. Speeds on these aging lines top out around 50 to 100 Mbps.
But rapidly expanding fiber optic service in urban areas leapfrogs Frontier performance up to 500 Mbps downloads and beyond. Fiber availability remains scattered but Frontier actively works to fill gaps.
DSL Still Dominates Reach But Fiber Improves Access, Company Data 2023
Where deployed, Frontier fiber unlocks implausibly cheap gig internet. 500 Mbps runs just $55 monthly – hundreds below typical fiber pricing. Budget plans start at $45 for 50 Mbps DSL speeds.
If Frontier fiber exists in your area, it likely offers unmatched value. But confirm first, as sluggish DSL persists across their network too.
{{}} How fast are Frontier‘s fastest residential fiber optic download speeds?
- 100 Mbps
- 300 Mbps
- [x] 500 Mbps currently; faster incoming
{{}}
3. Mediacom
Mediacom cable brings broadband competition to nearly 1 million underserved homes across greater Minnesota. The company concentrates in smaller towns and rural areas typically stuck with dated DSL.
By investing in modern infrastructure, Mediacom unlocks welcome speed upgrades. Plans range from starter 60 Mbps service for $19.99 per month up to blazing 1 Gbps lines.
Mediacom Minnesota Coverge Focusing on Rural Communities, BroadbandNow 2023 Data
Rather than long contracts or bundles, Mediacom wins converts through raw speed at reasonable costs. Practically invisible fees and taxes help keep bills low while free speed boosts reward loyal subscribers.
Check Mediacom‘s website to confirm if their 25% statewide coverage reaches your address. If so, expect quality broadband perfect for high demand users.
{{}} How much does Mediacom charge per month for their lowest advertised speed tier?
- $15
- [x] $19.99
- $25
- $39.99
{{}}
2. Xfinity
Boasting over 2.5 million Minnesota subscribers, Comcast‘s Xfinity cable network trails only satellite for statewide reach.
Speeds on the 55% coverage footprint exceed outdated legal definitions of broadband, with minimum rates of 50 Mbps now standard. Comcast‘s $30 monthly Essentials plan out paces the old 25/3 Mbps threshold by double while costing hundreds below early broadband pricing just 5 years ago.
And Essentials still leaves room to grow – mid-tier 300 Mbps runs $40 while gigabit Extreme Pro approaches a reasonable $80.
Comcast‘s Ongoing Fiber Buildout Enables Gigabit Speeds for Majority of Metro Residents, ISP Data
Bundling flexibility with Xfininty‘s industry-leading cable TV and home security products helps too. Just brace for the infamous "Xfinity Experience" when needing support.
If you can stomach spotty customer service, Comcast Xfinity brings proven fast, future-proof internet to more Minnesota homes than any competitor. Lock in discounts where possible to offset their history of post-promo price hikes.
{{}} What is Comcast‘s internet service brand marketed under in Minnesota?
- Infinity
- [x] Xfinity
- Blast!
- Comcastic
{{}}
1. CenturyLink
Telecom giant CenturyLink conclusively conquers runner-up Xfinity as 2023‘s top internet provider available to Minnesota households.
The AT&T and former Qwest descendant looms large as Minnesota‘s leading DSL provider. Aging phone infrastructure still accounts for much of CenturyLink‘s state-best 70% coverage reach.
But bold fiber investments rapidly widen 1 Gbps capable networks across cities and rural towns alike. Over 75% of addresses in the Twin Cities area can now access gigabit CenturyLink fiber priced as affordably as $65 a month.
Widespread availability combines with competitive fiber speeds to take the title. Even lagging DSL areas enjoy upgrades to 80 Mbps VDSL technology – the federal minimum definition for broadband as of 2023.
CenturyLink Leads Fiber Upgrades Across MN With Over 75% of Metro at Gigabit Capable Speeds, FCC Data
Bundling discounts with CenturyLink‘s DirecTV television or savvy home security systems can effectively lower costs too. Just beware contracts and early termination fees.
For the best balance of availability, fiber-fast speeds and flexible bundles, CenturyLink comes out on top. Their ongoing infrastructure build-outs position them as Minnesota‘s premier internet provider now and for the future.
{{}} Why does CenturyLink edge out Xfinity for #1 ISP rank?
- Longer history in Minnesota
- [x] Wider gigabit fiber availability
- Stronger regional reputation
- Lower monthly costs
{{}}
Hopefully reviewing the background, technology and real-world performance behind Minnesota‘s broadband options helps narrow your search!
I‘d be happy to offer personalized advice as you evaluate plans for your need. Or feel free to ask any remaining questions in the comments below!
