Best Internet Providers in West Des Moines, IA (2026)
West Des Moines has 12 internet providers -- one of the most competitive broadband markets in Iowa -- serving 68,723 residents with fiber, cable, 5G, and satellite service.
Order now: 1-855-634-3222 (Mediacom) | 1-855-512-4817 (CenturyLink)
Quick Answer: Best Internet in West Des Moines
CenturyLink Fiber is the top pick for West Des Moines, covering 80.9% of the city with symmetrical gigabit speeds and price-lock guarantees. Mediacom covers 84.4% with cable speeds up to 1 Gbps.
- Best fiber: CenturyLink -- symmetrical gigabit, 80.9% coverage
- Best cable: Mediacom -- up to 1 Gbps, 84.4% coverage
- Best budget: T-Mobile 5G Home Internet -- $50/mo, no contract
- Best emerging: Google Fiber -- symmetrical 2 Gbps, 15.7% coverage
- Best satellite: Starlink -- up to 220 Mbps, 100% availability
West Des Moines Internet Providers Comparison
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Phone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediacom | Cable | 1,000 Mbps | $60/mo | 1-6 TB | No | 1-855-634-3222 |
| CenturyLink | Fiber, DSL | 940 Mbps | $50/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-512-4817 |
| T-Mobile | 5G, Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $50/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber, DSL | 5,000 Mbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| Verizon Fios | Fiber | 2,000 Mbps | $50/mo | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Rise Broadband | Fixed Wireless, Fiber | 1,000 Mbps | $25/mo | Varies | No | 1-877-910-6207 |
| Windstream | Fiber, DSL | 1,000 Mbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-463-4357 |
| Metronet | Fiber | 5,000 Mbps | $50/mo | None | No | Online only |
| Google Fiber | Fiber | 2,000 Mbps | $70/mo | None | No | Online only |
| HughesNet | Satellite | 100 Mbps | $50/mo | 100-200 GB | No | 1-855-543-5405 |
| Viasat | Satellite | 150 Mbps | $70/mo | 40-300 GB | 2 years | 1-855-463-9333 |
| Starlink | Satellite | 220 Mbps | $120/mo | 1 TB (Priority) | No | Online only |
Top Internet Providers in West Des Moines -- Detailed Reviews
CenturyLink
CenturyLink Fiber covers 80.9% of West Des Moines with symmetrical gigabit speeds and a price-for-life guarantee. No data caps and no contracts make it the most reliable fiber option in the Des Moines metro.
Plans: Fiber 200 ($50/mo) | Fiber Gigabit ($65/mo)
Choose if: You want guaranteed pricing with symmetrical fiber. Avoid if: Only DSL is available at your address.
Order: 1-855-512-4817
Mediacom
Mediacom is the largest cable provider in West Des Moines at 84.4% coverage. Plans scale from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Data caps apply, but higher tiers include generous 3-6 TB allowances.
Plans: Access 100 ($60/mo) | Connect 300 ($80/mo) | Xtream 1 Gig ($100/mo)
Choose if: CenturyLink Fiber is unavailable at your address. Avoid if: You need unlimited data without paying extra.
Order: 1-855-634-3222
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet
T-Mobile covers 71% of West Des Moines with 5G home internet at a flat $50/month. No contract, no data cap, and self-install make it the easiest alternative to traditional wired broadband.
Plans: Home Internet ($50/mo, 72-245 Mbps typical)
Choose if: You want the simplest setup with predictable billing. Avoid if: You need speeds consistently above 250 Mbps.
Order: 1-844-275-9311
AT&T Internet
AT&T Fiber covers 56.6% of West Des Moines with symmetrical speeds from 300 Mbps to 5 Gbps. No data caps on fiber plans position AT&T as a premium alternative to CenturyLink Fiber.
Plans: Internet 300 ($55/mo) | Internet 500 ($65/mo) | Internet 1000 ($80/mo)
Choose if: You need multi-gigabit speeds for heavy workloads. Avoid if: CenturyLink offers better pricing for similar speeds.
Order: 1-855-850-5977
Speed & Price Comparison by Tier
| Speed Tier | CenturyLink | Mediacom | AT&T | T-Mobile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (100-200 Mbps) | $50/mo | $60/mo | -- | $50/mo |
| Mid (300-500 Mbps) | -- | $80/mo | $55/mo | -- |
| Fast (940 Mbps-1 Gbps) | $65/mo | $100/mo | $80/mo | -- |
| Ultra (2+ Gbps) | -- | -- | $150/mo | -- |
Speed Recommendations
- 1-2 users, browsing & email: 100-200 Mbps
- 3-5 users, streaming & gaming: 300-500 Mbps
- 6+ users or home office: 940 Mbps+
West Des Moines Internet Market Overview
West Des Moines (pop. 68,723) is a major suburb in the Des Moines metro (CBSA 19780). The city is a hub for insurance and financial companies, driving heavy demand for high-speed residential internet among remote workers. CenturyLink Fiber and Mediacom Cable form the primary competitive pairing.
Google Fiber launched in the Des Moines metro and covers 15.7% of West Des Moines, with expansion ongoing. Metronet Fiber has also entered the market, giving residents up to seven fiber provider choices -- an unusually competitive market for a midwestern city.
Neighborhood Coverage Guide
- Valley Junction: CenturyLink Fiber and Mediacom widely available
- Jordan Creek area: Google Fiber expanding, AT&T Fiber available
- Western Hills: Mediacom primary, CenturyLink DSL/Fiber
- Westown/Mills Civic: Multiple fiber options including Metronet
Nearby Cities
Compare providers in Des Moines, Urbandale, and Waukee.
Internet Speed Requirements for West Des Moines Households
The speed you need in West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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.
Frequently Asked Questions -- West Des Moines Internet
Who is the best internet provider in West Des Moines?
CenturyLink Fiber is the top pick with 80.9% coverage and symmetrical gigabit speeds. Mediacom covers 84.4% with cable speeds up to 1 Gbps and is the best cable alternative.
Is Google Fiber available in West Des Moines?
Yes. Google Fiber covers 15.7% of West Des Moines with 100% fiber plans offering symmetrical speeds up to 2 Gbps. Coverage is expanding to new neighborhoods across the metro area.
What is the cheapest internet in West Des Moines?
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet starts at $50/month with no contract and no data cap. CenturyLink also offers plans starting around $50/month for fiber service where available.
How many fiber providers serve West Des Moines?
West Des Moines has 7 fiber providers: CenturyLink, AT&T, Metronet, Google Fiber, Verizon Fios, Rise Broadband, and Windstream. CenturyLink has the widest fiber footprint at 80.9% coverage.
Does Mediacom have data caps in West Des Moines?
Yes, Mediacom applies data caps ranging from 200 GB to 6 TB depending on your plan tier. Most residential plans include a 1-3 TB cap, with unlimited data available for an additional fee.
Related Resources
Iowa Internet
- Internet Providers in Iowa
- Internet Providers in Des Moines, IA
- Internet Providers in Urbandale, IA
- Internet Providers in Waukee, IA
Provider Pages
Guides
Last updated: February 7, 2026
Disclosure: Some of the links and phone numbers on this page are from our advertising partners who compensate us when you click or call. This compensation may influence which providers appear on this page and in what order. We strive to provide accurate, unbiased information to help you make informed decisions. Our editorial team independently reviews providers regardless of compensation. Not all providers available in your area may be listed.