Best Internet Providers in Boise, Idaho
What is the best internet provider in Boise?
T-Mobile is the best internet provider in Boise for most households, according to our CNET experts. It takes the top spot thanks to a combination of affordability, reliable speeds and high customer satisfaction. With limited options in the area, T-Mobile stands out by offering competitive pricing and speeds that meet the needs of most households. Plans start at $50 per month, but eligible mobile customers can get coverage for as low as $35 per month.
Other providers may be worth considering. Sparklight starts at $36 a month for 100 Mbps, though the price rises to $55 after a year. CTC Telecom’s Wilderness Wireless plan is another budget-friendly option at $49 a month, making it the second most affordable in the region. Mobile internet from Verizon can also be a cost-effective alternative, offering stable pricing without the fluctuation of introductory rates.
For those seeking the fastest speeds, Quantum Fiber’s 2-gig plan is the top choice, though it’s only available in select areas. Both Quantum Fiber and Sparklight offer 1-gig plans citywide, but Quantum Fiber stands out with symmetrical upload and download speeds.
Customer satisfaction plays a key role in CNET’s ranking, with T-Mobile earning the highest marks, further cementing its position as Boise’s best overall internet provider.
Best internet in Boise, Idaho
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Boise internet providers compared
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Download speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data cap | Contract | CNET review score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink Read full review |
DSL | $55-$75 | 100-940Mbps | $15 modem | None | None | 6.7 |
| CTC Telecom/Wilderness Wireless | Fixed Wireless | $76-$134 | 100-1,000Mbps (varies by location) | None | None | None | N/A |
| EarthLink Home Internet Read full review |
DSL/Fiber | $59-$190 | 150Mbps-5,000Mbps | None | None | 1-year (optional) | 6.3 |
| Quantum Fiber | Fiber | $50-$95 | 500-2,000Mbps | None | None | None | 6.7 |
| Sparklight Read full review |
Cable | $36-$70 ($55-$85 after 12 months) | 100-940Mbps | $14 modem | None | None | 6.9 |
| SpeedyQuick Networks | Fixed Wireless | $60-$165 | 10-40Mbps (varies by location) | None | None | 1-year | N/A |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$55 with cellular plan) | 87-415Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for qualifying Verizon 5G mobile customers) | 50-20Mbps (varies by location) | None | None | None | 7.2 |
| White Cloud | Fixed wireless | $55-$150 | 10-200Mbps | Free modem, $8-$12 router | None | None (but installation fee is charged if you cancel before 12 months) | N/A |
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Monthly equipment fee | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sparklight Read full review |
$36 ($55 after 12 months) | 100Mbps | $14 modem | ||
| Sparklight Read full review |
$40 ($60 after 12 months) | 300Mbps | $14 modem | ||
| CTC Telecom/Wilderness Wireless | $75 | 100Mbps | None | ||
| Quantum Fiber | $50 | 500Mbps | None | ||
| EarthLink Home Internet Read full review |
$60 | 100GB | None | ||
| White Cloud | $55 | 10Mbps | $8-$12 router | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read full review |
$50 | 245Mbps | None |
| Provider | Starting price | Max download speed | Max upload speed | Data cap | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Quantum Fiber Internet | $95 | 2,000Mbps | 1,000Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Quantum Fiber Internet | $75 | 940Mbps | 940Mbps | None | Fiber |
| Sparklight Read full review |
$70 ($85 after 12 months) | 1,000Mbps | 50Mbps | None | Cable |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data
What’s a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
- 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
- 40 to 100Mbps should give one user sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming.
- 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two users to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming.
- 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.
How CNET chose the best internet providers in Boise
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. What’s our approach? For starters, we tap into a proprietary database of pricing, availability and speed information that draws from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
- Are customers happy with their service?
The answers to those questions are often layered and complex, but the providers that come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports.
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Boise?
Boise has a good range of internet providers, meeting lots of different customer preferences. You can opt for a cheap wireless plan or go all in on a top-of-the-line fiber plan. Either way, you’re likely to find reliable, fast service for your home in the metro area.
Internet providers in Boise FAQs
What is the best internet service provider in Boise?
Our best overall pick for internet in Boise is T-Mobile Home Internet. It has a great mix of perks (no contracts or data caps), and the pricing is simple and affordable. It’s not the fastest or cheapest plan out here, but it’s likely to work for most people.
Is fiber internet available in Boise?
Yes, but it depends on where exactly you live. Quantum Fiber is likely your best bet and offers some of the fastest fiber plans. Check the Quantum Fiber site to see if it’s available at your specific location.
Which is the cheapest internet provider in Boise?
The cheapest plan in town is Sparklight’s base plan, which is $36 per month for 100Mbps. Expect that price to go up dramatically after the first year. For eligible mobile customers, fixed wireless providers such as Verizon and T-Mobile offer reduced prices on select mobile plans that can drop your monthly bill down by $15 to $25.
Which internet provider in Boise offers the fastest plan?
Quantum Fiber offers the fastest internet plan in the city at 2,000Mbps download speed. However, the upload speed maxes out at 1,000Mbps. This plan is available for $95 a month.
What internet provider has the best coverage in Boise?
Sparklight is the wired internet provider with the deepest coverage in Boise. It’s available to 97% of addresses in the city, according to the FCC’s National Broadband Map.
