The best internet providers in Boise, Idaho

What are the best internet providers in Boise?

T-Mobile Be the best internet provider in BoiseAccording to our CNET experts. It ranks No. 1 due to the combination of affordability, reliable speed and high customer satisfaction. With limited options in the region, T-Mobile stands out by offering competitive prices and speeds that meet most household needs. The plan starts at $50 per month, but qualified mobile customers can get $35 per month coverage.

Other providers may be worth considering. Sparklight starts at $36 per month at 100 Mbps per month, although the price rose to $55 a year later. CTC Telecom’s Wild Wireless Plan is another budget-friendly option, with $49 per month, making it the second most affordable in the region. Mobile Internet from Verizon can also be a cost-effective alternative that can provide stable pricing without volatility in the entry-level rate.

For those seeking the fastest speed, the 2GIG plan for quantum fibers is the best option, although only available in certain areas. Quantum Fiber and Sparklight both offer city-wide 1GIG plans, but quantum fibers stand out with symmetric upload and download speeds.

Customer satisfaction plays a key role in CNET’s rankings, with T-Mobile achieving the highest score, further strengthening its position as Boise’s best overall internet provider.

The Best Internet in Boise, Idaho

Source: CNET Analysis of Provider Data

Other Internet providers in Boise

• Satellite Internet: These services are almost everywhere. Two options for such providers are Hughesnet and Viasat. Most of the locations we checked in Boise are topped with 35-65GB of data allocation at 12Mbps. The monthly price ranges from $70 to $150. Unlike Hughesnet, Viasat customers can enjoy their plans without being bound by contracts. Hughesnet plans to range from $75 to $90 per month, with discounts to $50 to $65 per month, with available speeds ranging from 50 to 100Mbps. The premium $120 plan is discounted to $95, combining satellite and wireless internet for reduced latency. This will require two years of contract and equipment rental or purchase.
• Fast Internet: 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, but will vary depending on your address.
• Baiyun: The Idaho-based company provides residential internet in Boise. This is a wireless connection, with plans ranging from $55 to $150 per month.
• CTC Telecom/Wild Wireless: The company provides internet services to customers in Idaho and Eastern Oregon. No contract is required, but you will be charged a $129 installation fee. The base plan is $49 per month and the top plan is $95 per month. It is available in the extreme suburbs of the city.

Cheap Internet Options in Boise

Most internet options in Boise start around $50 a month. The cheapest internet plan in town is $36 per month, from Sparklight, with a download speed of 100Mbps. This is a 12-month introductory rate, with $55 per month after the promotion period ends. The best value for Boise speed is quantum fiber, with its 1 Gigabit plan fixed monthly price of $75, currently priced at the Boise Market.

What is the cheapest internet plan in Boise?

Source: CNET Analysis of Provider Data

How to find internet deals and promotions in Boise

The best internet deals and top promotions in Boise depend on the discounts available during this period. Most transactions are short-lived, but we often look for the latest quotes.

Boise Internet providers such as Sparklight and T-Mobile Home Internet may offer lower introductory pricing for a limited time. Others, including quantum fibers, run the same standard pricing throughout the year.

For a wider list of promotions, check out our guide on the best internet deals.

How fast is Boise broadband?

According to Ookla’s latest speed test data, Boise does not distinguish itself well among the top 100 cities in the United States. Boise’s median download speed is only worse than 188Mbps, which is a good place to be No. 83. That’s not great, but it’s better than the 140Mbps scored by Idaho. Overall, the results you see at home will vary depending on your location, device, internet connection type, and network congestion. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET.)

What is Boise’s fastest internet plan?

Source: CNET Analysis of Provider Data

What is good internet speed?

Most Internet connectivity programs can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you are looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming videos or games, you will get better experience and have a stronger connection. According to the FCC, this is an overview of the minimum download speeds recommended for various applications. Note that these are just guides, internet speed, services and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

For more information, see our guide on how much internet speed you really need.

• 0 to 5Mbps allows you to solve the basics: browse the internet, send and receive emails and stream low-quality video.
• 5 to 40Mbps provides you with higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
• 40 to 100Mbps should provide a user with enough bandwidth to meet the needs of modern remote office, video streaming and online gaming.
• 100 to 500Mbps allows one to perform high bandwidth activities for two users simultaneously, such as video conferencing, streaming and online gaming.
• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more users to engage in high bandwidth activities simultaneously.

How CNET chooses the best internet provider in Boise

There are numerous and regional Internet service providers. Unlike the latest smartphones, laptops, routers, or kitchen tools, it is impractical to test every internet service provider in a given city in person. What is our method? For beginners, we leverage a proprietary database that leverages information from FCC.GOV’s Federal Communications Commission from our own historical ISP data, partner data and mapping information.

It doesn’t end: We visit the FCC’s website to check our data and make sure we consider all ISPs that provide services in a certain area. We also enter our local address on the provider website to find specific options for residents. We look at resources including the U.S. Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to evaluate how satisfied ISP services have with customers. ISP plans and prices change frequently; all information provided is accurate as of publication.

Once this local information is obtained, we ask three main questions:

• Can providers access reasonable and fast internet speeds?
• Do customers get decent value for the money they pay?
• Are customers satisfied with their service?

The answers to these questions are usually layered and complex, but the three we recommend are closest to the “yes” provider. When choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the lowest monthly plan, although we also consider issues such as price increase, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We view upload and download speeds on ads and consider actual speed data from sources such as Ookla and FCC reports.

To explore our process more deeply, visit our test ISP page.

What’s the last sentence of Boise’s internet provider?

Boise has numerous internet providers that meet many different customer preferences. You can choose a cheap wireless plan or go all out. Either way, you may find reliable, fast service for your home in the metro area.

Internet provider of FAQs for Boise