Which is better, Rise Broadband or Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative?

Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative is faster where you can get it, but Rise Broadband reaches 643 times as many people, so at most addresses Rise Broadband is the one on offer (and it is cheaper to start). Where both are offered (about 8,872 people), Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative has the faster top speed for 100% of homes.

FasterCitizens Mutual Telephone CooperativeFaster for 100% of homes where both are offered.

Cheaper to startRise BroadbandFrom $29.99 a month, vs $70.

Better ratedToo close to callToo few reviews to compare yet (18 and 1).

Available to more peopleRise Broadband14.3 million people in 16 states, vs 22,258 in 2 states.

Rise Broadband
Price: $29.99 - $79.99 / mo.
Speed: 10 - 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fixed wireless and fiber
Rating (Reviews): (18)
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Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative
Price: $70.00 - $150.00 / mo.
Speed: 1,000 Mbps
Internet Type: Fiber
Rating (Reviews): (1)
View Plans

Rise Broadband vs. Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative at a glance

Measure	Rise Broadband	Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative
Available to	14.3 million people in 16 states	22,258 people in 2 states
Main technology	Fixed wireless 97%, fiber 7.3%	Fiber 100%
Top download speed filed with the FCC	10,000 Mbps	1,000 Mbps
Fastest plan we list	1,000 Mbps	2,000 Mbps down, 2,000 Mbps up
Starting price	$29.99 a month	$70 a month
Cheapest plan, first 2 years	$720 (150 Mbps plan)	$1,680 (100 Mbps plan)
Customer rating	2.9 of 5 (18 reviews)	5.0 of 5 (1 reviews)
Rated for speed	3.0 of 5	5.0 of 5
Rated for price	2.9 of 5	4.0 of 5
Where both are offered	About 8,872 people (40% of Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative's area); Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative is faster for 100% of them

Coverage and top speeds: FCC filings; plans and prices: our pricing table; ratings: verified customer reviews on ISP Reports. Check your address for what is offered at your home.

Where Rise Broadband and Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative are available

Rise Broadband and Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative have distinct coverage footprints across the United States. Our interactive map shows exactly where each provider offers service and where they overlap, helping you understand your options.

Rise Broadband currently offers internet service in 3,003 cities and 347 counties across 16 states, reaching approximately 13,973,991 residents. Their service area includes major markets like Dallas, TX; Denver, CO; and Salt Lake City, UT. By comparison, Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative serves 22,258 residents in 51 cities and 10 counties in 2 states, with a presence in population centers such as Bloomfield, IA; Ottumwa, IA; and Agency, IA.

Each provider’s own page has its full coverage map, county by county: Rise Broadband coverage map and Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative coverage map.

Availability changes from one street to the next. Check your address to see whether Rise Broadband, Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative or both are offered at your home.

Rise Broadband vs. Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative Speeds and Technology

Rise Broadband and Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative utilize different network technologies to deliver internet service, resulting in varying speed capabilities across their service areas.

In terms of potential speeds across the country, Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative offers higher overall speeds, with speeds for most covered areas averaging 1,000 Mbps compared to Rise Broadband’s average speed of 98 Mbps.

The availability of each provider’s fastest technology varies significantly by location. Rise Broadband’s premium Fiber service reaches 2.0% of their coverage area. Meanwhile, Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative’s top-tier Fiber is available to 100.0% of their footprint. Even within the same technology type, speed offerings can vary based on local infrastructure investments.

Rise Broadband vs. Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative Plans and Prices

Below are the current internet plans and pricing details for Rise Broadband and Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative, drawn from our independently maintained pricing database. The source and verification date for each provider's plans are noted beneath the table.

Provider representatives can send plan or pricing updates through our contact page; verified changes publish shortly after review.

Most households with 3-5 users need download speeds of at least 100 Mbps for smooth streaming, video conferencing, and everyday internet usage. Larger households or those with heavy users (gamers, 4K streamers, or remote workers) should consider plans with speeds of 300 Mbps or more for optimal performance.

Any prices listed are the base service rates and may not include additional charges such as equipment fees, installation costs, or other service-related expenses. For a comprehensive view of all potential charges, refer to our Fees & Details section below.

Rise Broadband vs. Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative Customer Ratings and Reviews

Compare how real customers rate Rise Broadband and Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative based on our comprehensive database of verified customer reviews across all service types.

When comparing customer satisfaction, Rise Broadband earns an overall rating of 2.89 / 5 stars from 18 customer reviews, while Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative maintains a 5.00 / 5 rating from 1 reviews. Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative outperforms Rise Broadband by 2.1 points in overall satisfaction. Rise Broadband’s best-rated service is their Fiber offering at 3.33 / 5 stars, compared to Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative’s highest-rated service, Fiber, at 5.00 / 5 stars.

Fees vary by plan and location. The fees shown apply to most plans; check with the provider for costs specific to your plan.

When comparing internet providers, remember that advertised prices rarely tell the complete story. Equipment fees alone can add $10-15 per month to your bill, while installation charges, early termination fees, and data overage penalties can significantly increase your total cost of service. Consider these additional costs alongside monthly rates when determining which provider offers the better value for your specific needs.

Rise Broadband vs. Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative Pros and Cons

Rise Broadband

From 14 written customer reviews on ISP Reports and our plan data.

Pros

• Good value: praised in 3 of 14 written reviews. "The speed is decent for the price"
• Cheaper to start: $29.99 a month, vs $70 from Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative.
• Available to more people: 14.3 million in 16 states, vs 22,258.

Cons

• Outages and drops: a complaint in 7 of 14 written reviews (3 call it reliable). "repeated major multi-day outages and rampant instances of almost constant minor signal cut-out"

Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative

Too few written reviews to sum up yet (1); these lines come from our data.

Pros

• Faster where both are offered: the faster top speed for 100% of those homes.
• Mostly fiber: 100% of the homes it serves, vs 7.3% for Rise Broadband.

Cons

Rise Broadband vs. Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative Top Cities

Rise Broadband serves 3,003 cities while Citizens Mutual Telephone Cooperative is available in 51 cities nationwide. The tables below highlight their largest markets and areas where customers can choose between both providers.