Best Internet Providers in Iowa City, IA (2026)
Iowa City has 11 internet providers competing for residents and students, with Mediacom cable and CenturyLink fiber leading the wired market. Compare all options below.
Check availability by phone: 1-855-634-3222
Quick Answer: Best Internet in Iowa City
Mediacom covers 83% of Iowa City with cable speeds up to 1 Gbps, making it the most available wired provider. CenturyLink fiber reaches 53% with speeds up to 940 Mbps and no data caps.
- Best cable: Mediacom -- 83% coverage, up to 1 Gbps
- Best fiber: CenturyLink -- 53% coverage, no data caps
- Fastest overall: AT&T Fiber -- up to 5 Gbps (41% coverage)
- Best for students: T-Mobile 5G -- $40/mo, no contract
- Budget pick: Mediacom -- starting at $20/mo
Iowa City Internet Providers Comparison
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call to Order |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediacom | Cable | 1 Gbps | $20/mo | 200 GB-6 TB | No | 1-855-634-3222 |
| CenturyLink | Fiber / DSL | 940 Mbps | $30/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-512-4817 |
| T-Mobile | 5G / Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber / DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| Rise Broadband | Fixed Wireless / Fiber | 250 Mbps | $25/mo | Varies | No | 1-877-910-6207 |
| Verizon 5G Home | 5G | 300 Mbps | $35/mo | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Windstream | Fiber / DSL | 1 Gbps | $30/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-463-4357 |
| Metronet | Fiber | 1 Gbps | $50/mo | None | No | Online only |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | $50/mo | 100 GB | No | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | $70/mo | Varies | 2 years | 1-855-463-9333 |
| Starlink | Satellite | 220 Mbps | $120/mo | Priority | No | Online only |
Top Provider Details
Mediacom
Mediacom covers 83% of Iowa City as the dominant cable provider. Speeds range from 60 Mbps to 1 Gbps with introductory pricing starting at $20/mo, making it the most accessible wired option.
Plans: Access ($20/mo, 60 Mbps) | Connect ($40/mo, 200 Mbps) | Xtream ($60/mo, 400 Mbps) | Xtream Gig ($80/mo, 1 Gbps)
Choose if: You want the most widely available wired connection in Iowa City.
Avoid if: Data caps on lower-tier plans are a concern.
Order: 1-855-634-3222
CenturyLink
CenturyLink covers 53% of Iowa City with fiber and DSL. Fiber plans offer up to 940 Mbps with no data caps and price-lock guarantees, while DSL serves areas fiber has not yet reached.
Plans: Simply Unlimited ($30/mo, 20 Mbps DSL) | Fiber 200 ($50/mo) | Fiber 940 ($65/mo)
Choose if: You want fiber with no data caps and locked-in pricing.
Avoid if: Your address only gets CenturyLink DSL at slow speeds.
Order: 1-855-512-4817
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
T-Mobile 5G reaches 77% of Iowa City with typical speeds of 72-245 Mbps. At $40/mo with no contract, it is the go-to choice for University of Iowa students in off-campus housing.
Plans: Home Internet ($40/mo, unlimited)
Choose if: You want no-commitment internet with quick self-installation.
Avoid if: You need consistent wired speeds for competitive gaming or heavy uploads.
Order: 1-844-275-9311
Speed Tier Comparison in Iowa City
| Speed Tier | Mediacom | CenturyLink | AT&T | T-Mobile | Windstream |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (20-100 Mbps) | $20/mo | $30/mo | -- | $40/mo | $30/mo |
| Mid (200 Mbps) | $40/mo | $50/mo | -- | $40/mo | $50/mo |
| Fast (300-500 Mbps) | $60/mo | -- | $55/mo | -- | $60/mo |
| Gig (1 Gbps) | $80/mo | $65/mo | $80/mo | -- | $75/mo |
| Multi-Gig (2+ Gbps) | -- | -- | $150/mo | -- | -- |
Speed recommendations: Students: 100-200 Mbps | Streaming household: 300 Mbps | Remote work + gaming: 500 Mbps | Power users: 1 Gbps
Internet Service in Iowa City, IA
Iowa City is a college town of about 74,828 in Johnson County (CBSA 26980), home to the University of Iowa. The city has an unusually competitive broadband market for its size, with 11 providers including multiple fiber options from CenturyLink, AT&T, Windstream, and Metronet.
Mediacom cable remains the most widely available wired service, but CenturyLink fiber has built out aggressively in Iowa City's residential areas. T-Mobile 5G and Verizon 5G add wireless alternatives, and Rise Broadband provides fixed wireless in surrounding areas.
Neighborhood Coverage Guide
- Downtown/Ped Mall: Mediacom, CenturyLink Fiber, T-Mobile 5G
- Iowa City East Side: Mediacom, CenturyLink, AT&T Fiber
- Coralville border: Mediacom, CenturyLink, Metronet
- North Liberty area: Mediacom, Rise Broadband, T-Mobile 5G
Nearby cities: Coralville | Cedar Rapids | North Liberty
Internet Speed Requirements for Iowa City Households
The speed you need in Iowa City 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 Iowa City 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.
How to Choose an Internet Provider in Iowa City
Start by checking which providers actually serve your specific address in Iowa City, as coverage can vary significantly even within the same city. Enter your address on each provider's website or use our comparison tool to see all available options. Compare the actual speeds offered at your address, not just the provider's maximum advertised speed, since availability of faster tiers depends on local infrastructure.
Beyond speed, compare the total monthly cost including equipment rental fees, installation charges, and price increases after promotional periods end. Providers in Iowa City, Iowa may offer different promotions depending on the season and competition in your area. Ask about no-contract options to maintain flexibility, and check whether a provider requires a credit check, as some offer prepaid alternatives. Reading recent customer reviews specific to Iowa City gives the most relevant picture of service quality and reliability in your neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fastest internet in Iowa City, IA?
AT&T Fiber offers the fastest speeds in Iowa City with symmetrical plans up to 5 Gbps. Mediacom cable provides speeds up to 1 Gbps as the primary cable option.
Who is the main cable provider in Iowa City?
Mediacom is the primary cable provider, covering about 83% of Iowa City with speeds from 60 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
Is CenturyLink fiber available in Iowa City?
CenturyLink covers about 53% of Iowa City with fiber and DSL technology. Fiber plans offer speeds up to 940 Mbps where available.
What is the cheapest internet in Iowa City?
Mediacom Access Internet starts at around $20/mo for 60 Mbps. CenturyLink offers DSL starting at $30/mo. T-Mobile 5G costs $40/mo with no contract.
Which provider is best for University of Iowa students?
T-Mobile 5G is ideal for students in off-campus housing thanks to its $40/mo price, no contract, and quick self-install. Mediacom is the top wired option near campus.
Does Mediacom have data caps in Iowa City?
Yes. Mediacom plans include data allowances from 200 GB to 6 TB depending on the plan tier. Higher-tier plans have more generous caps.
Related Resources
Iowa Internet
- Internet Providers in Iowa
- Internet Providers in Cedar Rapids, IA
- Internet Providers in Coralville, IA
Provider Pages
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Last updated: February 7, 2026.
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