Best Internet Providers in Cedar Rapids, IA
Compare 10 internet providers serving 137,710 Cedar Rapids residents. Find cable, fiber, 5G, and satellite plans in Iowa's second-largest city.
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Mediacom 1-855-634-3222Quick Answer: Best Internet in Cedar Rapids
Mediacom is the best internet provider in Cedar Rapids for most residents, covering 79% of the city with cable speeds up to 1 Gbps. CenturyLink fiber is the fastest option where available, reaching 73% of addresses with symmetrical speeds up to 940 Mbps and no data caps. T-Mobile 5G provides a flexible wireless alternative at $40-50/month with no contracts.
Key Takeaways
- Best cable: Mediacom with 79% coverage and speeds up to 1 Gbps
- Best fiber: CenturyLink at ~73% coverage with no data caps
- Best value: CenturyLink fiber at $30/mo or T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/mo
- Best for renters: T-Mobile 5G with no contracts and easy setup
- 10 providers: Solid competition for an Iowa city
Cedar Rapids Internet Providers Comparison
Verified provider availability as of February 2026. Coverage based on FCC data.
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediacom | Cable | 1 Gbps | $30/mo | 6 TB | No | 1-855-634-3222 |
| CenturyLink | Fiber/DSL | 940 Mbps | $30/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-512-4817 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40-50/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| Verizon Fios / 5G Home | Fiber / 5G | 940 Mbps | $35/mo** | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Rise Broadband | Fixed Wireless | 100 Mbps | $25/mo | 250 GB | No | Online only |
| Starlink | LEO Satellite | 250 Mbps | $120/mo | Soft cap | No | Online only |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Limited | 2-year | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | $39.99/mo | Unlimited*** | No | 1-855-463-9333 |
**Verizon pricing with mobile bundle. ***Viasat Unleashed plan.
Cedar Rapids Internet Providers: Detailed Reviews
Mediacom Internet in Cedar Rapids
~79% CoverageMediacom is Cedar Rapids' primary cable provider, covering 79% of the city with speeds up to 1 Gbps. Plans start at $30/month with a 6 TB data cap. Mediacom offers Xtream Internet packages with good reliability across the Cedar Rapids metro.
Choose Mediacom If:
- You want the widest cable coverage in Cedar Rapids
- You need speeds up to 1 Gbps via cable
- The 6 TB data cap is sufficient for your household
Avoid Mediacom If:
- You need unlimited data (CenturyLink fiber has no caps)
- You need fast upload speeds
CenturyLink Internet in Cedar Rapids
~73% CoverageCenturyLink (Quantum Fiber) covers 73% of Cedar Rapids with fiber speeds up to 940 Mbps. Starting at $30/month with no data caps and price-lock guarantees, CenturyLink fiber is the best value in the city for speed-conscious users.
Choose CenturyLink If:
- Fiber is available at your address
- You want no data caps and price-lock guarantees
- You need symmetrical upload speeds
Avoid CenturyLink If:
- Only DSL is available at your address
- You need speeds above 940 Mbps
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet in Cedar Rapids
~65% CoverageT-Mobile 5G covers about 65% of Cedar Rapids with wireless home internet at $40-50/month. No contracts, no data caps, and easy plug-in setup make it popular with renters and anyone seeking flexibility.
Choose T-Mobile 5G If:
- You want contract-free service with no price hikes
- Wired options aren't available or satisfactory
Avoid T-Mobile 5G If:
- You need consistent speeds above 300 Mbps
Cedar Rapids Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | Mediacom | CenturyLink | AT&T Fiber | T-Mobile 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 200 Mbps | $30/mo | $30/mo | - | $40-50/mo |
| 300 Mbps | - | - | $55/mo | - |
| 500 Mbps | $60/mo | $50/mo | $65/mo | - |
| 1 Gbps | $80/mo | $65/mo | $80/mo | - |
How Much Speed Do You Need?
- 1-2 people: 100-200 Mbps for streaming and browsing
- 3-5 people: 500 Mbps for multiple devices
- Remote work + gaming: 500 Mbps-1 Gbps
See our speed guide for details.
Internet Service in Cedar Rapids: Local Overview
- Population: 137,710
- Metro: Cedar Rapids, IA
- CBSA: 16300
- Fiber providers: CenturyLink, AT&T, Verizon
- Cable: Mediacom
- 5G: T-Mobile, Verizon
Cedar Rapids is Iowa's second-largest city and a hub for cereal production, manufacturing, and technology. Mediacom has been the dominant cable provider for decades, while CenturyLink has invested in fiber throughout the city. AT&T Fiber has expanded to about 45% of Cedar Rapids, adding meaningful competition.
T-Mobile 5G covers much of the urban core and suburbs, giving residents a wireless alternative. Rise Broadband serves the outskirts and rural Linn County areas with fixed wireless.
Internet by Cedar Rapids Area
- Downtown/NewBo: Strong CenturyLink fiber and Mediacom coverage
- Southeast Cedar Rapids: Mediacom and CenturyLink both available
- Marion/Hiawatha: Mediacom dominant; AT&T fiber expanding
- Southwest/Kirkwood area: Good fiber and cable coverage
Frequently Asked Questions About Cedar Rapids Internet
What is the best internet provider in Cedar Rapids, IA?
Mediacom has the widest cable coverage at 79%. CenturyLink fiber is the best value with no data caps at $30/mo and ~73% coverage.
Is fiber internet available in Cedar Rapids?
Yes. CenturyLink covers ~73%, AT&T Fiber ~45%, and Verizon Fios ~26%. Cedar Rapids has growing fiber competition.
How much does internet cost in Cedar Rapids?
Prices start at $30/mo for CenturyLink or Mediacom and range up to $120/mo for Starlink. Most pay $50-80/month.
Is Mediacom or CenturyLink better in Cedar Rapids?
CenturyLink fiber is better where available with symmetrical speeds and no data caps. Mediacom has wider coverage but has a 6 TB data cap.
Is 5G home internet available in Cedar Rapids?
Yes. T-Mobile 5G covers ~65% at $40-50/mo. Verizon 5G Home covers ~26% with speeds up to 1 Gbps.
About the Author
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Our team regularly reviews this guide. Provider availability verified using FCC data.
Editorial Disclosure
InternetProviders.ai is committed to providing accurate, unbiased information to help you choose the right internet service. Some providers listed are partners who compensate us when you sign up through our links or phone numbers. This compensation may affect provider ordering but does not influence our ratings or recommendations. See our editorial guidelines and how we make money.
Internet Speed Requirements for Cedar Rapids Households
The speed you need in Cedar Rapids depends on how many people and devices use your connection simultaneously. A single person streaming video and browsing the web can get by with 50-100 Mbps. A household of 2-3 people with regular streaming and video calls should target 200-300 Mbps. Larger families with 4 or more heavy users benefit from 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps plans, especially when multiple people are streaming in 4K, gaming online, or working from home at the same time.
Upload speed matters just as much as download speed for Cedar Rapids residents who work remotely. Video conferencing platforms like Zoom and Teams require at least 5 Mbps upload for stable HD video, and 10 Mbps or more for group calls with screen sharing. If multiple household members participate in video calls simultaneously, ensure your plan provides at least 20-25 Mbps upload speed. Fiber plans offer the best upload performance with symmetrical speeds.