Best Internet Providers in Portage County, WI
All 10 providers, ranked by coverage, speed and customer ratings
Find internet availability by address in Portage County, WI
Portage County has 10 internet service providers, they are sorted by coverage, available speed, and customer rating from our unbiased internet provider report. Cable, Fiber, Fixed Wireless, and DSL internet are available in the county. Reviews are grouped by provider and the type of service they offer, covering all 4 available internet technologies in Portage County.
Ranks compare Portage County with the 72 Wisconsin counties.
The Best Internet in Portage County, WI at a Glance
Portage County Internet Providers, Ranked by Coverage, Speed and Customer Ratings
Spectrum
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
Cable
TDS
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
DSL
Amherst Communications
Connection
Customer Rating
Fiber
EarthLink
Connection
Customer Rating
DSL
Fixed Wireless
Providers with less than 1% coverage in this county 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 Portage County ratings may vary and are shown below.
Who is the Best Internet Provider in Portage County, WI?
Amherst Communications is the highest-rated internet provider in Portage County based on 154 Wisconsin 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.
Which Providers are Available at my Home in Portage County?
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 Portage County
- TDS - fiber coverage map
- Spectrum - cable coverage map
- Amherst Communications - fiber coverage map
- Verizon - fixed wireless coverage map
- Solarus - fiber coverage map
- Spectrum - fiber coverage map
- T-Mobile Home Internet - fixed wireless coverage map
- AT&T - fixed wireless coverage map
- EarthLink - fixed wireless coverage map
- Bug Tussel Wireless - fixed wireless coverage map
- Country Wireless - fixed wireless coverage map
- AT&T - dsl coverage map
- EarthLink - dsl coverage map
- TDS - dsl coverage map
How Portage County Compares to the Rest of Wisconsin
Portage County's report card score is 29th of 72 and its connectivity index is tied 11th of 72.
| Measure | Portage County | Rank among Wisconsin counties | Wisconsin | US | Leader |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ISP Report Card inputs: what providers offer here | |||||
| Fiber availability | 76.2% | 18th of 72 | 65.0% | 71.5% | Pepin County (99.3%) |
| Average top speed | 3,658 Mbps | 10th of 72 | 3,014 Mbps | 3,486 Mbps | St. Croix County (5,688 Mbps) |
| Providers at a typical address | 5.1 | Tied 43rd of 72 | 7.2 | 7.1 | Brown County (9.8) |
| Connectivity index inputs: how much households need and use the internet | |||||
| People per household | 2.3 | Tied 40th of 72 | 2.4 | 2.7 | Menominee County (3.0) |
| Workers who work from home | 12% | Tied 21st of 72 | 13% | 15% | Dane County (20%) |
| Homes with a computer, tablet or phone | 96% | Tied 5th of 72 | 95% | 96% | Dane County and Ozaukee County and 2 more (97%) |
| Homes with internet | 93% | Tied 5th of 72 | 91% | 91% | Waukesha County (95%) |
| Homes on fiber, cable or DSL | 79% | Tied 5th of 72 | 74% | 76% | Waukesha County (84%) |
| More about the households here | |||||
| Homes with a desktop or laptop | 84% | Tied 6th of 72 | 80% | 81% | Dane County (90%) |
| Median household income | $78,561 | 29th of 72 | $84,032 | $93,246 | Waukesha County ($114,497) |
| Residents in school (6th grade to college) | 18% | Tied 6th of 72 | 15% | 16% | Dunn County and Grant County (21%) |
Fiber reaches 76.2% of homes in Portage County, against 65.0% across Wisconsin. Households in Portage County are smaller than the US average (2.3 people against 2.7); 12% of workers work from home (US 15%); and the median household income is $78,561 (US $93,246).
Our demographic data is sourced from the latest 5-year release of the American Community Survey by the US Census Bureau.
How Portage County Compares to Its Neighbors
Portage County has 6 neighbors. Among them, Adams County has the most homes with fiber (96.1%) and Waupaca County the fewest (55.1%); Portage County has 76.2%.
Map of Portage County and its neighbors by ISP Report Card grade
Hover over or tap a county for its numbers, and click through to its page.
Portage County and its neighbors
| County | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portage County (this page) | 70,377 | 76.2% | 3,658 Mbps | 5.1 | B- | 63/100 |
| Marathon County | 138,013 | 78.7% | 4,637 Mbps | 6 | B | 56/100 |
| Wood County | 74,207 | 82.2% | 2,338 Mbps | 6.4 | B | 52/100 |
| Waupaca County | 51,812 | 55.1% | 1,529 Mbps | 6.2 | C+ | 35/100 |
| Shawano County | 40,881 | 66.6% | 2,180 Mbps | 5.7 | B- | 37/100 |
| Waushara County | 24,520 | 63.8% | 783 Mbps | 5.3 | C- | 30/100 |
| Adams County | 20,654 | 96.1% | 1,641 Mbps | 4.9 | B- | 36/100 |
Internet in Portage County by City and ZIP Code
Fiber reaches from 45.8% of homes in Plover to 100.0% in Polonia; by ZIP code, from 45.8% in 54443 (Junction City) to 100.0% in 54423 (Custer). Each row links to that place’s page.
Cities and towns in Portage County
| City or town | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stevens Point | 33,326 | 77.8% | 6,191 Mbps | 6.1 | B | 65/100 |
| Plover | 14,124 | 45.8% | 996 Mbps | 4.9 | C- | 71/100 |
| Amherst | 2,909 | 99.6% | 1,000 Mbps | 4 | C+ | 63/100 |
| Junction City | 2,268 | 59.0% | 2,305 Mbps | 4.7 | C+ | 50/100 |
| Whiting | 2,100 | 94.0% | 7,132 Mbps | 5.7 | B+ | 69/100 |
| Custer | 2,002 | 100.0% | 1,000 Mbps | 4 | C+ | 62/100 |
| Rosholt | 1,974 | 99.5% | 1,000 Mbps | 4.1 | C+ | 48/100 |
| Amherst Junction | 1,715 | 99.9% | 1,000 Mbps | 3.5 | C+ | 63/100 |
| Almond | 1,329 | 98.4% | 989 Mbps | 2.8 | C | 42/100 |
| Polonia | 1,191 | 100.0% | 1,000 Mbps | 3.7 | C+ | 60/100 |
| Bancroft | 993 | 95.1% | 970 Mbps | 3.4 | C | 44/100 |
| Park Ridge | 671 | 96.4% | 7,750 Mbps | 4.7 | B | 62/100 |
| Dancy | 518 | 50.4% | 2,200 Mbps | 4.7 | C | 53/100 |
| Keene | 490 | 100.0% | 1,000 Mbps | 3.3 | C+ | 34/100 |
| Nelsonville | 473 | 100.0% | 1,000 Mbps | 2.3 | C+ | 63/100 |
| Blaine | 465 | 100.0% | 1,000 Mbps | 3.4 | C+ | 42/100 |
| Meehan | 462 | 65.2% | 671 Mbps | 4 | C- | 65/100 |
| Heffron | 340 | 100.0% | 1,000 Mbps | 2.7 | C+ | 34/100 |
| Garfield | 220 | 100.0% | 1,000 Mbps | 2.4 | C+ | 41/100 |
| Kellner | 177 | 100.0% | 1,000 Mbps | 3.8 | C+ | 64/100 |
ZIP codes in Portage County
| ZIP code | People | Homes with fiber | Average top speed | Providers at a typical address | Report card | Connectivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54481 (Stevens Point) | 27,902 | 85.2% | 7,338 Mbps | 6.2 | B+ | 64/100 |
| 54467 (Plover) | 15,039 | 47.4% | 1,023 Mbps | 4.9 | C | 71/100 |
| 54482 (Stevens Point) | 9,153 | 62.7% | 2,758 Mbps | 5.3 | C+ | 68/100 |
| 54406 (Amherst) | 3,621 | 99.7% | 1,000 Mbps | 4.2 | C+ | 65/100 |
| 54473 (Rosholt) | 2,573 | 99.7% | 1,000 Mbps | 3.9 | C+ | 48/100 |
| 54423 (Custer) | 2,572 | 100.0% | 1,000 Mbps | 3.8 | C+ | 61/100 |
| 54443 (Junction City) | 2,259 | 45.8% | 2,493 Mbps | 4.8 | C | 52/100 |
| 54909 (Almond) | 2,130 | 98.0% | 984 Mbps | 2.7 | C | 40/100 |
| 54407 (Amherst Junction) | 1,644 | 99.9% | 1,000 Mbps | 2.9 | C+ | 58/100 |
| 54921 (Bancroft) | 1,215 | 95.6% | 976 Mbps | 3.2 | C | 44/100 |
| 54458 (Nelsonville) | 105 | 100.0% | 1,000 Mbps | 1.1 | C | 71/100 |
Who is the Fastest Internet Provider in Portage County?
According to unbiased feedback from real internet customers, they reported being happiest with speeds provided by Amherst Communications. On the other hand, based on data provided by the internet providers to the FCC, TDS 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 Portage County
| TDS | 8,000 |
|---|---|
| Spectrum | 1,000 |
| Bug Tussel Wireless | 1,000 |
| Amherst Communications | 1,000 |
| Solarus | 1,000 |
| Verizon | 300 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet | 100 |
| Viasat | 100 |
| AT&T | 100 |
| EarthLink | 100 |
| Country Wireless | 100 |
| HughesNet | 25 |
How fast is your internet?
Test your connection here and see it next to the speeds providers advertise in Portage County. It takes about 20 seconds and, on a fast line, can move a few hundred MB of data.
Customer Ratings for Portage County Internet Providers
Based on 154 reviews from Wisconsin internet customers, Amherst Communications is the best internet service provider for Portage County residents. Amherst Communications was rated at an average of 4.25 out of 5 in our report for overall customer satisfaction. EarthLink wins for second-place in Wisconsin, with 4.00 out of 5 stars and 58.7% coverage in Portage County.
At a national level, based on 4219 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 Portage County Internet Providers
The table below shows average customer ratings from customers in Portage County, Wisconsin, and customers throughout the country.
| ISP / Tech Type | Portage County Overall | Wisconsin Overall | National Overall | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Communications | (2) | (4) | (4) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink |  (0) |  (1) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| Solarus | (0) | (3) | (3) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (2) | (342) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) |  (5) | (816) | View Plans | ||
| Spectrum | (2) | (104) | (1949) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (1) | (25) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| TDS | (1) | (10) | (39) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) |  (12) | View Plans | ||
| Bug Tussel Wireless | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| Country Wireless | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Customer Ratings for Internet Provider Speeds in Portage County
Based on data reported by Portage County ISPs to the FCC, the fastest speeds in the county are available through TDS. The company offers speeds up to 8,000 Mbps in Portage County. Therefore, the average customer can get up to 7,534 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 Amherst Communications. This indicates Amherst Communications reliably delivers speeds expected by the customer based on the plan they are paying for.
| ISP / Tech Type | Portage County Speed | Wisconsin Speed | National Speed | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Communications | (2) | (4) | (4) | View Plans | ||
| Spectrum | (2) | (104) | (1949) | View Plans | ||
| EarthLink | (0) | (1) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| Solarus | (0) | (3) | (3) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (2) | (342) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (5) | (816) | View Plans | ||
| TDS | (1) | (10) | (39) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T |  (1) | (25) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (12) | View Plans | ||
| Bug Tussel Wireless | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| Country Wireless | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Who is the Cheapest Internet Provider in Portage County?
Of the providers in Portage County, customers rate EarthLink the best for price. Data comes from customers rating their satisfaction with pricing: in Portage County where enough of them have reviewed a provider, otherwise across Wisconsin or the country. This feedback is valuable because it considers price changes and whether the speeds paid for are worth it.
EarthLink is rated 3.00 out of 5 for price, which is lower than the average across all internet providers in the country. T-Mobile Home Internet is rated second for affordability, with an average price rating of 4.50 out of 5.
The table below shows how customers in Portage County, Wisconsin, and the United States rated the affordability of their internet service.
Rated Affordability in Portage County
| ISP / Tech Type | Portage County Affordability | Wisconsin Affordability | National Affordability | For Service | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EarthLink | (0) | (1) | (15) | View Plans | ||
| Solarus | (0) | (3) | (3) | View Plans | ||
| T-Mobile Home Internet | (0) | (2) | (342) | View Plans | ||
| Verizon | (0) | (5) | (816) | View Plans | ||
| Spectrum | (2) | (104) | (1949) | View Plans | ||
| TDS | (1) | (10) | (39) | View Plans | ||
| AT&T | (1) | (25) | (1051) | View Plans | ||
| Amherst Communications | (2) | (4) | (4) | View Plans | ||
| HughesNet | (0) | (0) | (25) | View Plans | ||
| Viasat | (0) | (0) | (12) | View Plans | ||
| Bug Tussel Wireless | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans | ||
| Country Wireless | (0) | (0) | (0) | View Plans |
Fiber, 5G, Cable and DSL Internet in Portage County
Which Fiber Internet Providers are Available in Portage County?
TDS Fiber in Portage County, WI
Availability:
36.9%
Customer Rating:
(16)
Avg. Download Speed
7,991 Mbps
TDS offers Fiber service to 36.9% of Portage County homes. Across the county, TDS Fiber has speeds up to 7,991 Mbps, with speeds from 1,000 Mpbs up to 8,000 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds are symmetrical, meaning they are exactly the same as download speeds for TDS Fiber. TDS Fiber is rated lower than other types of internet service available in Portage County from TDS in terms of customer satisfaction.
Amherst Communications Fiber in Portage County, WI
Availability:
26.3%
Customer Rating:
(3)
Avg. Download Speed
1,000 Mbps
Amherst Communications offers Fiber service to 26.3% of Portage County homes. Across the county, Amherst Communications Fiber is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Solarus Fiber in Portage County, WI
Availability:
11.5%
Customer Rating:
(3)
Avg. Download Speed
1,000 Mbps
Solarus offers Fiber service to 11.5% of Portage County homes. Across the county, Solarus Fiber is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Spectrum Fiber in Portage County, WI
Availability:
6.8%
Customer Rating:
(207)
Avg. Download Speed
1,000 Mbps
Spectrum offers Fiber service to 6.8% of Portage County homes. Across the county, Spectrum Fiber has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Which Fixed Wireless and LTE Internet Providers are Available in Portage County?
T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless in Portage County, WI
Availability:
84.0%
Customer Rating:
(342)
Avg. Download Speed
53 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet offers Fixed Wireless service to 84.0% of Portage County homes. Across the county, T-Mobile Home Internet Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 53 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 9.3 Mbps throughout the county.
Verizon Fixed Wireless in Portage County, WI
Availability:
81.8%
Customer Rating:
(362)
Avg. Download Speed
225 Mbps
Verizon offers Fixed Wireless service to 81.8% of Portage County homes. Across the county, Verizon Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 225 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 county.
EarthLink Fixed Wireless in Portage County, WI
Availability:
53.8%
Customer Rating:
(4)
Avg. Download Speed
36 Mbps
EarthLink offers Fixed Wireless service to 53.8% of Portage County homes. Across the county, EarthLink Fixed Wireless has speeds up to 36 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 100 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 1.0 and as high as 20, with an average of 5.4 Mbps throughout the county.
AT&T Fixed Wireless in Portage County, WI
Availability:
53.8%
Customer Rating:
(205)
Avg. Download Speed
36 Mbps
AT&T offers Fixed Wireless service to 53.8% of Portage County homes. Across the county, AT&T Fixed Wireless has speeds up to 36 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 100 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 1.0 and as high as 20, with an average of 5.4 Mbps throughout the county.
Bug Tussel Wireless Fixed Wireless in Portage County, WI
Availability:
30.6%
Customer Rating:
(0)
Avg. Download Speed
28 Mbps
Bug Tussel Wireless offers Fixed Wireless service to 30.6% of Portage County homes. Across the county, Bug Tussel Wireless Fixed Wireless is the only type of service available from the company, with speeds up to 28 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 50 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 1.0 and as high as 8.0, with an average of 5.4 Mbps throughout the county.
Country Wireless Fixed Wireless in Portage County, WI
Availability:
3.5%
Customer Rating:
(0)
Avg. Download Speed
100 Mbps
Country Wireless offers Fixed Wireless service to 3.5% of Portage County homes. Across the county, Country Wireless 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 Portage County?
Spectrum Cable in Portage County, WI
Availability:
68.4%
Customer Rating:
(1739)
Avg. Download Speed
1,000 Mbps
Spectrum offers Cable service to 68.4% of Portage County homes. Across the county, Spectrum Cable has speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Which DSL Internet Providers are Available in Portage County?
EarthLink DSL in Portage County, WI
Availability:
16.4%
Customer Rating:
(5)
Avg. Download Speed
10 Mbps
EarthLink offers DSL service to 16.4% of Portage County homes. Across the county, EarthLink DSL has speeds up to 10 Mbps
AT&T DSL in Portage County, WI
Availability:
16.4%
Customer Rating:
(304)
Avg. Download Speed
10 Mbps
AT&T offers DSL service to 16.4% of Portage County homes. Across the county, AT&T DSL has speeds up to 10 Mbps
TDS DSL in Portage County, WI
Availability:
2.6%
Customer Rating:
(7)
Avg. Download Speed
37 Mbps
TDS offers DSL service to 2.6% of Portage County homes. Across the county, TDS DSL has speeds up to 37 Mbps, with speeds from 10 Mpbs up to 50 Mbps depending on the address. Upload speeds differ from download speeds, and are as low 1.0 and as high as 10, with an average of 7.3 Mbps throughout the county. TDS DSL is rated about the same as other types of internet service available in Portage County from TDS in terms of customer satisfaction.
Customer Reviews for Internet Service Providers in Wisconsin
Customer Reviews
A Plover, WI Customer
Amherst Communications Fiber
September 27, 2024 Our internet provider is much more expensive than others in the area, however, this is the only provider who is near us. Despite it being a bit more expensive, it is a locally owned business and their customer service is great. There are times when the Internet goes down and it takes a few hours for it to get back, which is unfortunate. But I would say it is really reliable. I've had AT&T previously and the connection went out at least once a week, so compared to that I am very satisfied with our current provider.
A Rosholt, WI Customer
Amherst Communications DSL
August 09, 2024 A Junction City, WI Customer
AT&T Fixed Wireless
October 18, 2023 A Stevens Point, WI Customer
TDS DSL
October 10, 2023 Sky
Spectrum Cable
June 14, 2023 Internet has been great through spectrum, Came with quality products (Modem/router), Speeds are consistent with No dropout internet service. We do have fiber coming into the area soon so may try out fiber service as it's a bit faster and more reliable then current offerings but I've been pleasantly happy with spectrums offerings.
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Which ISP Should You Choose in Portage County?
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 Portage County is Amherst Communications.
- The fastest internet provider should be TDS. Considering speed for the money and reliability in speeds, Amherst Communications may be a better choice based on real-world local customer feedback.
- The most affordable internet provider in Portage County is EarthLink.
- Viasat, T-Mobile Home Internet, and HughesNet has the broadest coverage in Portage County, available to 84.0% 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.