Internet Providers in Boise, ID | 4 Best Options

What are the best internet providers in Boise?

T-Mobile Boise’s Internet Service Ranked Top by CNETthanks to its balance of affordability, reliable speed, and high customer satisfaction. Internet options in Boise are somewhat limited, but T-Mobile stands out with competitive rates and speeds that will meet most users’ needs.

Other providers are also worth considering. For example, Sparklight offers an introductory plan for $40 per month with speeds of up to 300 Mbps, but the price jumps to $60 after the first year. CTC Telecom’s Wilderness Wireless plan is also a budget-friendly option at $49 per month, making it the second most affordable option in the region. T-Mobile and Verizon’s mobile internet services also help reduce monthly costs for eligible users by offering stable pricing compared to variable introductory fees.

For the fastest speeds, Quantum Fiber’s 2 Gig plan is better, but it’s only available in certain areas of Boise. More broadly, Quantum Fiber and Sparklight both offer citywide 1 Gig plans, but Quantum Fiber uniquely offers symmetrical upload and download speeds.

In terms of customer experience, T-Mobile ranks highest in satisfaction, a key component of CNET’s ratings, establishing itself as the best overall internet provider in Boise.

Best Internet in Boise, ID

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

Other internet providers available in Boise

• CTC Telecom/Wilderness Wireless: The company provides Internet service to customers in Idaho and eastern Oregon. No contract required. The basic plan costs $49 per month and the top plan costs $95 per month.
• satellite internet: These services are available virtually everywhere. There are two options for this type of provider: Hughesnet and Viasat. Viasat’s new all-in-one plan comes with download speeds of up to 150Mbps for $100 per month. Most places we checked in Boise had speeds of 12 Mbps maxing out with a data allocation of 35-65 GB. Prices ranged from $70 to $150 per month. Unlike Hughesnet, Viasat customers can enjoy plans without being locked into a contract. Hughesnet plans are offered for $75 to $90 per month, with speeds from 50 to 100Mbps available in the Boise area, discounted to $50 and $65. The $120 high-end plan is discounted to $95 and combines satellite and wireless internet to reduce latency. This also requires a two-year contract and equipment rental or purchase.
• Speedy Quick Networks: This is another wireless provider serving the Boise area, with plans ranging from $60 to $165 per month. Download speeds range from 10 to 40Mbps, depending on the address.
• white clouds: This Idaho-based company provides residential internet in Boise. This is a wireless connection, and plans range from $55 to $150 per month.

Cheap Internet Options in Boise

Most internet options in Boise start at around $50 per month. The cheapest internet plan in the city is Sparklight for $40 a month with download speeds of 100 Mbps. This is a 12-month introductory rate that converts to $55 per month after the promotional period ends. The best value in terms of speed in Boise is Quantum Fiber. Its 1 Gigabit plan has a fixed price of $75 per month, which is currently a lifetime price in the Boise market.

What are the cheapest internet plans in Boise?

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

How to find internet sales and promotions in Boise

The best internet deals and top promotions in Boise depend on the discounts available during the period. Most sales have a short shelf life, but we check frequently for the latest offers.

Boise internet providers like Sparklight and T-Mobile Home Internet may offer low introductory prices for a limited time. Other services, including Quantum Fiber, have the same standard pricing throughout the year.

For a more extensive list of promotions, check out our guide to the best internet deals.

What is the broadband speed in Boise?

According to , Boise didn’t stand out much among the top 100 U.S. cities. Ookla’s latest speed test data. Boise’s median download speed was just shy of 188Mbps, good for 83rd place. That’s not great, but it’s better than the 140Mbps recorded by Idaho as a state. Overall, the results you get at home will vary depending on your location, equipment, type of internet connection, and network congestion. (Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, the same parent company as CNET.)

What is the fastest internet plan in Boise?

Source: CNET analysis of provider data

What is a good internet speed?

Most internet connectivity plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that supports video conferencing, streaming video, and gaming, you’ll enjoy a better experience with a more robust connection. Here is an overview of recommended minimum download speeds for various applications. According to the FCC. Please note that these are just guidelines and internet speed, service and performance will vary depending on connection type, provider and address.

For more information, see our guide to the internet speed you actually need.

• At 0-5Mbps, you can tackle basic tasks like browsing the Internet, sending and receiving emails, and streaming low-quality videos.
• 5-40Mbps allows for higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
• 40-100Mbps provides a single user with enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern work-from-home, video streaming, and online gaming.
• 100-500Mbps allows one or two users to simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
• 500-1,000Mbps allows three or more users to participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.

How CNET chooses the best internet providers in Boise

There are many Internet service providers and they vary by region. Unlike the latest smartphones, laptops, routers, and kitchen tools, it’s impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a particular city. What is our approach? First, we use proprietary pricing, availability, and speed information derived from our own historical ISP data, partner data, and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC.gov). Use a database.

This is not the end. We go to the FCC’s website and review the data to ensure we account for all ISPs serving the area. Also, enter your local address on the provider’s website to find specific options for residents. Look at sources like the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to gauge how satisfied your customers are with your ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices may change frequently. All information provided is accurate at the time of publication.

Once you have this localized information, ask three main questions:

• Does your provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
• Are customers getting value for their money?
• Are your customers satisfied with your service?

The answers to these questions are often hierarchical and complex, but the provider that comes closest to a “yes” to all three is recommended. When choosing the cheapest internet service, look for the plan with the lowest monthly fee, taking into account price hikes, equipment costs, contract details, etc. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively easy. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider actual speed data from sources such as: Okura and FCC report.

To find out more about our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.

What are your final thoughts on Boise’s internet providers?

Boise has a variety of internet providers that cater to different customer preferences. You can choose a cheap wireless plan or go all out with a top-of-the-line fiber plan. Either way, you’re likely to find reliable and fast service at your home in the metropolitan area.

Boise Internet Provider Frequently Asked Questions