Best Internet Providers in Columbia, MO
Compare 9 internet providers serving 129,330 Columbia residents. Home to the University of Missouri, Columbia offers cable, fiber, 5G, and satellite broadband options.
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Mediacom 1-855-634-3222Quick Answer: Best Internet in Columbia
Mediacom is the best wired internet provider in Columbia for most residents, with cable coverage reaching about 59% of the city and plans from $30/month. T-Mobile 5G has the widest single-provider coverage at 61% with a flat $40-50/month rate. AT&T Fiber is the fastest where available, covering about 27% of addresses with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps.
Key Takeaways
- Best wired: Mediacom cable with 59% coverage and plans from $30/mo
- Best wireless: T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/mo covering 61% of the city
- Best for speed: AT&T Fiber with symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps
- Best for students: T-Mobile 5G with no contract and easy setup
- Best for rural: HughesNet, Viasat, or Starlink satellite (100% coverage)
Columbia Internet Providers Comparison
Verified February 2026. Coverage percentages based on FCC data and may vary by neighborhood.
| Provider | Technology | Max Speed | Starting Price | Data Cap | Contract | Call Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediacom | Cable | 1 Gbps | $30/mo | 6 TB | No | 1-855-634-3222 |
| T-Mobile 5G | 5G/Fixed Wireless | 245 Mbps | $40-50/mo | None | No | 1-844-275-9311 |
| AT&T Internet | Fiber/DSL | 5 Gbps | $55/mo | None (Fiber) | No | 1-855-850-5977 |
| Verizon Fios/5G | Fiber/5G | 1 Gbps | $35/mo** | None | No | 1-855-387-1456 |
| Spectrum | Cable | 1 Gbps | $30/mo* | None | No | 1-844-481-5997 |
| 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 |
| Starlink | LEO Satellite | 250 Mbps | $120/mo | Soft cap | No | Online only |
*Spectrum first-year promotional pricing. **Verizon pricing with mobile bundle. ***Viasat Unleashed plan.
Top Columbia Internet Providers Reviewed
Mediacom Internet in Columbia
58.7% CoverageMediacom is the primary cable provider in Columbia, serving about 59% of the city. Plans start at $30/month for 100 Mbps and scale to 1 Gbps. Mediacom has a generous 6 TB data cap that most households will never hit. The provider has been upgrading its Mid-Missouri infrastructure with DOCSIS 3.1 technology.
Choose Mediacom If:
- You want the most available wired provider in Columbia
- You need cable speeds up to 1 Gbps
- You prefer a low starting price at $30/month
Avoid Mediacom If:
- You need symmetrical upload speeds for remote work
- You want a fully no-cap provider
T-Mobile 5G Home Internet in Columbia
60.9% CoverageT-Mobile 5G Home Internet has the widest single-provider coverage in Columbia at about 61%. At a flat $40-50/month with no contracts, no data caps, and the 5-Year Price Guarantee, T-Mobile is popular among Mizzou students and renters seeking flexible, budget-friendly service.
Choose T-Mobile If:
- You are a Mizzou student wanting contract-free service
- You want a predictable monthly bill with no price hikes
- Wired providers are unavailable at your address
Avoid T-Mobile If:
- You need consistent speeds above 300 Mbps
- You require low latency for competitive gaming
AT&T Internet in Columbia
26.8% CoverageAT&T covers about 27% of Columbia with fiber, DSL, and fixed wireless. Where fiber is available, AT&T delivers symmetrical speeds up to 5 Gbps with no data caps. AT&T Fiber is the fastest residential option in Columbia but has the most limited coverage footprint among major providers.
Choose AT&T If:
- Fiber is available at your address for top speeds
- You need symmetrical upload and download speeds
- You work from home with demanding bandwidth needs
Avoid AT&T If:
- Only DSL is available at your address
- You need wider coverage for potential moves within Columbia
Columbia Internet Speeds and Prices
| Speed Tier | Mediacom | AT&T Fiber | Spectrum | T-Mobile 5G |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 100-300 Mbps | $30/mo | $55/mo | $30/mo* | $40-50/mo |
| 500 Mbps | $50/mo | $65/mo | $70/mo | - |
| 1 Gbps | $70/mo | $80/mo | $90/mo | - |
| 2 Gbps | - | $110/mo | - | - |
*Spectrum first-year rate. Prices subject to change.
How Much Speed Do You Need?
- 1-2 people, light use: 100-300 Mbps for streaming and browsing
- 3-5 people, moderate use: 500 Mbps for multiple streams and video calls
- Work from home + gaming: 1 Gbps for demanding applications
Learn more: How much speed do I need?
Internet Service in Columbia: What You Need to Know
Columbia is the largest city between St. Louis and Kansas City, anchored by the University of Missouri and two other colleges. The student population creates strong demand for affordable, flexible broadband. Mediacom is the dominant cable provider, while AT&T has been expanding fiber service through newer residential developments. The city-owned Columbia Water & Light utility has explored municipal broadband, though implementation remains in discussion.
T-Mobile 5G coverage has grown rapidly in Columbia, providing a wireless alternative that appeals to the student and renter population. For residents in outer Boone County, satellite providers and Spectrum cable fill gaps where Mediacom and AT&T footprints end.
Coverage by Columbia Area
- Downtown/Mizzou campus: Mediacom and T-Mobile 5G both strong
- East Columbia/Grindstone: Mediacom primary; AT&T Fiber in newer areas
- South Columbia/Old Southwest: Mediacom cable; AT&T expanding
- North Columbia/Centralia: Spectrum and satellite providers
Frequently Asked Questions About Columbia Internet
What is the best internet provider in Columbia, MO?
Mediacom is the best wired provider with 59% coverage. T-Mobile 5G has the widest overall coverage at 61%. AT&T Fiber is fastest where available at 27% coverage.
Is fiber internet available in Columbia?
Yes. AT&T Fiber covers about 27% of Columbia with speeds up to 5 Gbps. Verizon Fios serves about 18% of the city.
How much does internet cost in Columbia?
Plans start at $30/month for Mediacom or Spectrum cable. AT&T Fiber begins at $55/month. T-Mobile 5G is $40-50/month.
What is the best internet for Mizzou students?
T-Mobile 5G at $40-50/month is ideal for students with no contract and quick setup. Mediacom at $30/month is the cheapest wired option near campus.
Is 5G home internet available in Columbia?
Yes. T-Mobile covers about 61% of Columbia at $40-50/month. Verizon 5G Home serves roughly 18% of the city.
About the Author
Last Updated: February 7, 2026
Our team regularly reviews and updates this guide to ensure accuracy. Provider availability and pricing are verified quarterly 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 on this page 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. Our editorial team independently researches each provider. See our editorial guidelines and how we make money.