Best Internet Providers in Idaho Falls, Idaho

What is the best internet provider in Idaho Falls?

CNET recommends ConnectFast as the best internet provider in Idaho Falls. For just $40 a month, you can get 1,000 megabits per second for both upload and download speeds, but be warned, this price does not include the $25 Idaho Falls fiber infrastructure fee. Even so, it's not a deal to turn your nose up at, with the value far outweighing the cons of this broadband service.

That said, there are plenty of other internet service providers in the Idaho Falls Fiber Network -- a "not-for-profit" utility owned by the city in a public-private partnership. You'll have to pay a $25 monthly fee to maintain the city's fiber infrastructure on top of the providers' monthly fee, but the plans are cheap (starting from as low as $40), so you can have a strong internet connection without breaking the bank. But a word of caution: One Reddit user, who said they install fiber in Idaho Falls for a living, called Fybercom the "worst by a huge mile" of the six ISPs on the Idaho Falls Fiber Network.

Want the cheapest possible prices? Sparklight offers the cheapest internet in Idaho Falls, with plans starting at $40 per month for download speeds of 100Mbps and upload speeds of 20Mbps. Currently, you can also get the 300Mbps plan at the same price. However, keep in mind that rates will increase after the first year. Another great option is T-Mobile Home Internet, which provides fixed wireless internet at $50 per month for download speeds of up to 245Mbps. This plan includes unlimited data and the necessary equipment at no extra cost.

The fastest internet provider in Idaho Falls is Quantum Fiber. For $95 a month, you can get up to 2,000Mbps download speeds and 1,000Mbps upload speeds. Quantum Fiber is not a participant in the Idaho Falls Fiber Network, so you're not required to pay the additional $25 monthly infrastructure fee. Quantum Fiber also offers a 940Mbps plan for $75 monthly, and 500Mbps for $50 monthly.

Best internet in Idaho Falls, Idaho

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
*Prices include $25 monthly Idaho Falls Fiber network fee. Fee may be as low as $12.50 per month for multi-dwelling units (four units or more).

What is the cheapest internet plan in Idaho Falls?

The cheapest plan in Idaho Fall is Sparklight's entry-level 100Mbps plan for $40 a month. Since 100Mbps may not be ideal for most households, Sparklight's 300Mbps for $55 monthly is a good next-best option -- just note that the price increases to $70 a month after 12 months. Alternatively, T-Mobile Internet starts at $50 a month for speeds up to 245Mbps, with a guaranteed price-lock.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Denis Tangney Jr / Getty Images

How to find internet deals and promotions in Idaho Falls

The best internet deals and top promotions in Idaho Falls depend on what discounts are available during that time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers. 

Idaho Falls internet providers, such as Sparklight, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, including ConnectFast and T-Mobile Home Internet, run the same standard pricing year-round. 

What's the fastest internet plan in Idaho Falls?

The fastest internet provider in Idaho Falls is Quantum Fiber, at 2,000Mbps download speed and 1,000Mbps upload speed. Idaho Falls has no shortage of fast fiber internet plans, thanks to the Idaho Falls Fiber Network. All of the fastest internet plans in the Idaho Falls Fiber Network peak at 1,000Mbps, with symmetrical download and upload speeds, which is plenty fast.

Source: CNET analysis of provider data. *Prices include $25 monthly Idaho Falls Fiber network fee. Fee may be as low as $12.50 per month for multi-dwelling units (four units or more).

What’s a good internet speed?

Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate videoconferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the Federal Communications Commission. Note that these are only guidelines and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.

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

• 0 to 5Mbps allows you to tackle the basics: browsing the internet, sending and receiving email and streaming low-quality video.
• 5 to 40Mbps gives you higher-quality video streaming and videoconferencing.
• 40 to 100Mbps should give one person sufficient bandwidth to satisfy the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming and online gaming. 
• 100 to 500Mbps allows one to two people to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities like videoconferencing, streaming and online gaming. 
• 500 to 1,000Mbps allows three or more people to engage in high-bandwidth activities at the same time.

How CNET chose the best internet providers in Idaho Falls

Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. What’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.

It doesn’t end there: We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of the time of publication.

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

1. Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
2. Do customers get decent value for what they’re paying?
3. Are customers happy with their service?

The answer to those questions is often layered and complex, but the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also take into account real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Disclaimer: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)

Internet providers in Idaho Falls FAQs