Best Internet Providers in Ames, NE
All 15 providers, ranked by coverage, speed and customer ratings
Find internet availability by address in Ames, NE
Ames has 15 internet service providers, they are sorted by coverage, available speed, and customer rating from our unbiased internet provider report. Fiber, Fixed Wireless, and DSL internet are available in the city. Reviews are grouped by provider and the type of service they offer, covering all 3 available internet technologies in Ames.
Ranks compare Ames with the 31,388 US places under 1,000 people, the tiers of our fastest-cities rankings.
The Best Internet in Ames, NE at a Glance
Ames Internet Providers, Ranked by Coverage, Speed and Customer Ratings
CenturyLink
Connection
Customer Rating
DSL
Cox
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
EarthLink
Connection
Customer Rating
Fixed Wireless
T-Mobile Home Internet
Connection
Customer Rating
Fixed Wireless
Providers with less than 1% coverage in this city are excluded from the list. To see if one of these providers is available at your home, please use the address search above.
Speed and technology may vary by address for all providers. Please note we may have a financial relationship with some of the providers above, which does not impact the customer ratings displayed. Customer ratings listed above are national ratings, local Ames ratings may vary and are shown below.
Who is the Best Internet Provider in Ames, NE?
AT&T is the highest-rated internet provider in Ames based on 29 Nebraska customer reviews, and T-Mobile Home Internet has the highest rating nationwide. The provider information above and the information immediately below can help you decide. Compare provider ratings and review counts above.
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Which Providers are Available at my Home in Ames?
Coverage changes block by block. Pick a provider and a technology to see where its service reaches: the darker the area, the larger the share of homes it covers. For your exact address, use the address search above.
Coverage map for each provider in Ames
- Nextlink - fixed wireless coverage map
- Cox - fiber coverage map
- Alpine Connective - fixed wireless coverage map
- Great Plains Communications - fiber coverage map
- GigFire - fixed wireless coverage map
- Verizon - fixed wireless coverage map
- Stealth Broadband - fixed wireless coverage map
- WesTel Systems - fiber coverage map
- T-Mobile Home Internet - fixed wireless coverage map
- CenturyLink - dsl coverage map
- Viaero - fixed wireless coverage map
- Rise Broadband - fixed wireless coverage map
- AT&T - fixed wireless coverage map
- EarthLink - fixed wireless coverage map
- Windstream - dsl coverage map
- Great Plains Communications - dsl coverage map
How Ames Compares to Places Its Size
Ames's report card score is in the top 34% and its connectivity index is in the bottom 36%.
| Measure | Ames | Rank among US places under 1,000 people | Dodge County | Nebraska | US | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISP Report Card inputs: what providers offer here | ||||||
| Fiber availability | 55.5% | bottom 43% | 91.5% | 84.3% | 71.5% | 6,946 places at 100.0% |
| Average top speed | 982 Mbps | bottom 41% | 2,014 Mbps | 2,533 Mbps | 3,486 Mbps | Fairmount, TN and Falling Water, TN and 5 more (25,000 Mbps) |
| Providers at a typical address | 7.5 | top 7% | 9 | 7.3 | 7.1 | Los Prados, PR (15.1) |
| Connectivity index inputs: how much households need and use the internet | ||||||
| People per household | 2.4 | bottom 49% | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.7 | Paguate, NM (13.4) |
| Workers who work from home | 6% | bottom 34% | 5% | 12% | 15% | Boys Town, NE (100%) |
| Homes with a computer, tablet or phone | 96% | top 23% | 96% | 96% | 96% | 1,494 places at 100% |
| Homes with internet | 86% | top 50% | 91% | 91% | 91% | 370 places at 100% |
| Homes on fiber, cable or DSL | 57% | bottom 50% | 74% | 75% | 76% | 23 places at 100% |
| More about the households here | ||||||
| Homes with a desktop or laptop | 72% | top 50% | 76% | 80% | 81% | 72 places at 100% |
| Median household income | $79,988 | top 33% | $77,863 | $86,676 | $93,246 | 22 places at $250,001 |
| Residents in school (6th grade to college) | 15% | top 22% | 16% | 17% | 16% | University at Buffalo, NY (100%) |
Fiber reaches 55.5% of homes in Ames, against 91.5% across Dodge County and 84.3% across Nebraska. Households in Ames are smaller than the US average (2.4 people against 2.7); 6% of workers work from home (US 15%); and the median household income is $79,988 (US $93,246).
Our demographic data is sourced from the latest 5-year release of the American Community Survey by the US Census Bureau.
Fiber, 5G, Cable and DSL Internet in Ames
Which Fiber Internet Providers are Available in Ames?
Cox Fiber in Ames, NE
Availability:
37.6%
Customer Rating:
(54)
Avg. Download Speed
1,000 Mbps
Cox Communications offers Fiber service to 37.6% of Ames homes. Across the city, Cox Fiber is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Great Plains Communications Fiber in Ames, NE
Availability:
11.5%
Customer Rating:
(2)
Avg. Download Speed
1,817 Mbps
Great Plains Communications offers Fiber service to 11.5% of Ames homes. Across the city, Great Plains Communications Fiber has speeds up to 1,817 Mbps, with speeds from 1,000 Mpbs up to 2,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds are symmetrical, meaning they are exactly the same as download speeds for Great Plains Communications Fiber. Great Plains Communications Fiber is rated about the same as other types of internet service available in Ames from Great Plains Communications in terms of customer satisfaction.
WesTel Systems Fiber in Ames, NE
Availability:
6.3%
Customer Rating:
(0)
Avg. Download Speed
1,000 Mbps
WesTel Systems offers Fiber service to 6.3% of Ames homes. Across the city, WesTel Systems Fiber is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Which Fixed Wireless and LTE Internet Providers are Available in Ames?
T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless in Ames, NE
Availability:
98.8%
Customer Rating:
(342)
Avg. Download Speed
44 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet offers Fixed Wireless service to 98.8% of Ames homes. Across the city, T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 44 Mbps, with speeds from 25 Mpbs up to 100 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 3.0 and as high as 20, with an average of 7.3 Mbps throughout the city.
Alpine Connective Fixed Wireless in Ames, NE
Availability:
96.2%
Customer Rating:
(0)
Avg. Download Speed
379 Mbps
Alpine Connective offers Fixed Wireless service to 96.2% of Ames homes. Across the city, Alpine Connective Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 379 Mbps, with speeds from 25 Mpbs up to 1,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 5.0 and as high as 1,000, with an average of 322 Mbps throughout the city.
GigFire Fixed Wireless in Ames, NE
Availability:
87.9%
Customer Rating:
(1)
Avg. Download Speed
142 Mbps
GigFire offers Fixed Wireless service to 87.9% of Ames homes. Across the city, GigFire Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 142 Mbps, with speeds from 100 Mpbs up to 150 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 20 and as high as 130, with an average of 113 Mbps throughout the city.
Nextlink Fixed Wireless in Ames, NE
Availability:
74.5%
Customer Rating:
(14)
Avg. Download Speed
798 Mbps
Nextlink offers Fixed Wireless service to 74.5% of Ames homes. Across the city, Nextlink Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 798 Mbps, with speeds from 100 Mpbs up to 1,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 20 and as high as 1,000, with an average of 765 Mbps throughout the city.
Stealth Broadband Fixed Wireless in Ames, NE
Availability:
71.8%
Customer Rating:
(0)
Avg. Download Speed
100 Mbps
Stealth Broadband offers Fixed Wireless service to 71.8% of Ames homes. Across the city, Stealth Broadband Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 100 Mbps
Rise Broadband Fixed Wireless in Ames, NE
Availability:
42.0%
Customer Rating:
(15)
Avg. Download Speed
25 Mbps
Rise Broadband offers Fixed Wireless service to 42.0% of Ames homes. Across the city, Rise Broadband Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 25 Mbps
EarthLink Fixed Wireless in Ames, NE
Availability:
41.8%
Customer Rating:
(4)
Avg. Download Speed
25 Mbps
EarthLink offers Fixed Wireless service to 41.8% of Ames homes. Across the city, EarthLink Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 25 Mbps
AT&T Fixed Wireless in Ames, NE
Availability:
41.8%
Customer Rating:
(205)
Avg. Download Speed
25 Mbps
AT&T offers Fixed Wireless service to 41.8% of Ames homes. Across the city, AT&T Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 25 Mbps
Verizon Fixed Wireless in Ames, NE
Availability:
40.1%
Customer Rating:
(362)
Avg. Download Speed
214 Mbps
Verizon offers Fixed Wireless service to 40.1% of Ames homes. Across the city, Verizon Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 214 Mbps, with speeds from 25 Mpbs up to 300 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 6.0 and as high as 20, with an average of 16 Mbps throughout the city.
Viaero Fixed Wireless in Ames, NE
Availability:
11.5%
Customer Rating:
(0)
Avg. Download Speed
100 Mbps
Viaero Wireless offers Fixed Wireless service to 11.5% of Ames homes. Across the city, Viaero Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 100 Mbps
Which Cable Internet Providers are Available in Ames?
According to the most recently submitted data by internet service providers to the FCC, there are currently no cable providers available in Ames, NE.
Which DSL Internet Providers are Available in Ames?
CenturyLink DSL in Ames, NE
Availability:
66.6%
Customer Rating:
(120)
Avg. Download Speed
22 Mbps
CenturyLink offers DSL service to 66.6% of Ames homes. Across the city, CenturyLink DSL is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 22 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 40 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 1.0 and as high as 3.0, with an average of 1.8 Mbps throughout the city.
Great Plains Communications DSL in Ames, NE
Availability:
19.4%
Customer Rating:
(1)
Avg. Download Speed
10 Mbps
Great Plains Communications offers DSL service to 19.4% of Ames homes. Across the city, Great Plains Communications DSL has speeds up to 10 Mbps
Windstream DSL in Ames, NE
Availability:
1.9%
Customer Rating:
(52)
Avg. Download Speed
200 Mbps
Windstream offers DSL service to 1.9% of Ames homes. Across the city, Windstream DSL is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 200 Mbps
Internet in Ames by Neighborhood and ZIP Code
Ames has 1 ZIP code with its own page. Each row links to that place’s page.
Neighborhoods in Ames
| Neighborhood | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|
ZIP codes in Ames
| ZIP code | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 68621 | 569 | 44.6% | 1,023 Mbps | 8.6 | B- | 38/100 |
How Ames Compares to Nearby Places
The 10 places nearest to Ames that have their own pages are all within 12 miles. Among them, Hooper has the most homes with fiber (99.3%) and Scribner the fewest (40.6%); Ames has 55.5%.
| Place | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ames (this page) | 521 | 55.5% | 982 Mbps | 7.5 | C+ | 33/100 |
| Fremont | 28,773 | 95.7% | 2,231 Mbps | 9.5 | A- | 56/100 |
| North Bend | 1,756 | 91.2% | 1,802 Mbps | 8.4 | B+ | 44/100 |
| Inglewood | 1,639 | 46.4% | 1,531 Mbps | 9.6 | B- | 62/100 |
| Scribner | 1,576 | 40.6% | 1,757 Mbps | 7.4 | B- | 41/100 |
| Hooper | 1,144 | 99.3% | 995 Mbps | 5.4 | B- | 31/100 |
| Cedar Bluffs | 1,142 | 62.4% | 1,359 Mbps | 6.2 | C+ | 49/100 |
| Nickerson | 797 | 52.1% | 816 Mbps | 7.4 | C+ | 64/100 |
| Morse Bluff | 511 | 99.2% | 142 Mbps | 4.3 | C | 49/100 |
| Winslow | 261 | 100.0% | 1,000 Mbps | 5.1 | B- | 59/100 |
| Mercer | 127 | 56.7% | 1,244 Mbps | 8.1 | B- | 35/100 |
Who is the Fastest Internet Provider in Ames?
According to unbiased feedback from real internet customers, they reported being happiest with speeds provided by AT&T. On the other hand, based on data provided by the internet providers to the FCC, Cox Communications should have faster speeds at a local level. While we typically put more weight on real-world customer ratings, we display both satisfaction and technical maximum information for customers to decide for themselves.
Data Reported to FCC by ISPs: Average Maximum Available in Ames
| Great Plains Communications | 2,000 |
|---|---|
| Alpine Connective | 1,000 |
| Nextlink | 1,000 |
| Cox Communications | 1,000 |
| WesTel Systems | 1,000 |
| Verizon | 300 |
| Windstream | 200 |
| GigFire | 150 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 100 |
| Viasat | 100 |
| Stealth Broadband | 100 |
| Viaero Wireless | 100 |
| CenturyLink | 40 |
| HughesNet | 25 |
| Rise Broadband | 25 |
| AT&T | 25 |
| EarthLink | 25 |
How fast is your internet?
Test your connection here and see it next to the speeds providers advertise in Ames. It takes about 20 seconds and, on a fast line, can move a few hundred MB of data.
Customer Ratings for Ames Internet Providers
Based on 29 reviews from Nebraska internet customers, AT&T is the best internet service provider for Ames residents. AT&T was rated at an average of 4.00 out of 5 in our report for overall customer satisfaction. Verizon wins for second-place in Nebraska, with 4.00 out of 5 stars and 40.1% coverage in Ames.
At a national level, based on 3000 national reviews for any of the providers listed above, T-Mobile Home Internet is rated higher than any other provider, with a rating of 4.02 out of 5.
Local, State, and National Ratings for all Ames Internet Providers
The table below shows average customer ratings from customers in Ames, Nebraska, and customers throughout the country.
| ISP / Tech Type | Ames Overall | Nebraska Overall | National Overall | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Plains Communications | (0) | (2) | (3) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (0) | (2) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (1) | (816) | View Plans | ||
| Windstream | (0) | (3) | (99) | View Plans | ||
| Nextlink | (0) |  (2) | (19) | View Plans | ||
| CenturyLink | (0) |  (4) | (183) | View Plans | ||
| Cox | (0) | (15) | (453) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (0) | (342) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| GigFire | (0) | (0) | (1) | View Plans | ||
| Rise Broadband | (0) | (0) | (18) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) |  (12) | View Plans | ||
| Viaero | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| Stealth Broadband | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| Alpine Connective | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| WesTel Systems | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Customer Ratings for Internet Provider Speeds in Ames
Based on data reported by Ames ISPs to the FCC, the fastest speeds in the city are available through Cox Communications. The company offers speeds up to 1,000 Mbps in Ames. Therefore, the average customer can get up to 1,000 Mbps if they’re willing to purchase the fastest subscription tier available at their homes.
However, actual customers rated their satisfaction with internet speed highest with AT&T. This indicates AT&T reliably delivers speeds expected by the customer based on the plan they are paying for.
| ISP / Tech Type | Ames Speed | Nebraska Speed | National Speed | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Plains Communications | (0) | (2) | (3) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (0) | (2) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (1) | (816) | View Plans | ||
| Windstream | (0) | (3) | (99) | View Plans | ||
| Cox | (0) | (15) | (453) | View Plans | ||
| CenturyLink | (0) | (4) | (183) | View Plans | ||
| Nextlink | (0) | (2) | (19) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (0) | (342) | View Plans | ||
| Rise Broadband | (0) | (0) | (18) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| GigFire | (0) | (0) | (1) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (12) | View Plans | ||
| Viaero | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| Stealth Broadband | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| Alpine Connective | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| WesTel Systems | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Who is the Cheapest Internet Provider in Ames?
Of the providers in Ames, customers rate AT&T the best for price. Data comes from customers rating their satisfaction with pricing: in Ames where enough of them have reviewed a provider, otherwise across Nebraska or the country. This feedback is valuable because it considers price changes and whether the speeds paid for are worth it.
AT&T is rated 3.50 out of 5 for price, which is lower than the average across all internet providers in the country. Verizon is rated second for affordability, with an average price rating of 3.00 out of 5.
The table below shows how customers in Ames, Nebraska, and the United States rated the affordability of their internet service.
Rated Affordability in Ames
| ISP / Tech Type | Ames Affordability | Nebraska Affordability | National Affordability | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Plains Communications | (0) | (2) | (3) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (0) | (2) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (1) | (816) | View Plans | ||
| CenturyLink | (0) | (4) | (183) | View Plans | ||
| Windstream | (0) | (3) | (99) | View Plans | ||
| Nextlink | (0) |  (2) | (19) | View Plans | ||
| Cox | (0) | (15) | (453) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (0) | (342) | View Plans | ||
| GigFire | (0) | (0) | (1) | View Plans | ||
| Rise Broadband | (0) | (0) | (18) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (0) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (12) | View Plans | ||
| Viaero | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| Stealth Broadband | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| Alpine Connective | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| WesTel Systems | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Customer Reviews for Internet Service Providers in Nebraska
Customer Reviews
A Valley, NE Customer
Quantum Fiber
March 16, 2026 The customer service for Quantum Fiber is the most horrible I've ever seen in my life sadly. Today the customer service gal named Deanne or Deanna, I couldn't understand her, that I got was rude, she kept making me repeat myself several times throughout the phone calls because she wasn't paying attention, she hung up on me three different times and I had to keep calling back, and I asked to talk to a manager several times and she absolutely refused to connect me to a manager so if you ever have any problems with this service guess what you will not get connected with a service manager to resolve any issues because the customer service people that answer the phone are very controlling and they need to know every single detail before they'll even think about POSSIBLY letting you talk to a service manager. Our service was supposed to be set up a few days after we paid for it and it didn't end up getting set up for 3 weeks! Don't waste your time or money!
A Lincoln, NE Customer
Allo Fiber
March 15, 2026 Allo has been very willing to work with me on any issues i have. They were also willing to open up some ports and even gave me the password so i could do it myself. Allo has also been very upfront of why the price barely increased, and are very open to where the money we pay goes to. Allo beats the competition (windstream and spectrum) by ten fold, not even close. They were very easy to contact and start a service through. even going as far to trench in my fiber line and lay grass where it got torn up a little. Not to mention i can do everything online with them, even trouble shooting.
A Gretna, NE Customer
Cox Cable
March 04, 2026 Cox is a large, impersonal provider. Historically, in this area they have not been threatened so are not motivated to have a fair price for their service. Recently a Fiber Optic company came into the area and only now have they offered a lower price, but only if you lock into it for two years. It feels icky. Not only that, but when I did lock in with them, they required me to get a new router and sent one which was damaged. It took an in-person visit to get it corrected and when I did the rep said I actually did not need the new router.
A Omaha, NE Customer
Cox Cable
January 21, 2026 They are trying to make it so we will be needing their internet more. We just switched from Century Link and we’re getting faster internet, for less. In two years, they said that the price will increase. My wife and I are hoping century link will pull it together because we dislike how Cox treats its customers. We cannot stand them but they are the only other option in our market for the speeds we want.
A Omaha, NE Customer
CenturyLink DSL
December 15, 2025 I have had century link since I bought my house and it has never worked well on my phone. Every time I get home I have to disconnect my phone from WiFi to do anything. It works for my home security and cameras and streaming devices, but for my phone specifically the signal is just awful and there seems to be no fix.
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Which ISP Should You Choose in Ames?
The right ISP for you depends upon your needs, but in general we can make the following suggestions:
- The best all-around internet service provider in Ames is AT&T.
- The fastest internet provider should be Cox Communications. Considering speed for the money and reliability in speeds, AT&T may be a better choice based on real-world local customer feedback.
- The most affordable internet provider in Ames is AT&T.
- Viasat, T-Mobile Home Internet, and HughesNet has the broadest coverage in Ames, available to 98.8% of homes, and is most likely to cover your home. To find out exactly what’s available at your home, please use our address search tool.