Reliable internet access remains a challenge for many of Idaho‘s rural residents. Overall just 83% of the state‘s households currently have broadband connectivity, lagging the national average by almost 10%. Access disparities persist between Idaho‘s urban centers boasting multiple high-speed options contrasted to remote country sides dependent on sluggish DSL, satellite or dial-up.
However, network expansions led by an influx of out-of-state internet service providers (ISPs) combined with grassroots government expansion projects are reaching more rural Idaho communities each year. For residents struggling to get adequate speeds, this guide provides an expert overview of Idaho‘s internet landscape and top 12 providers worth evaluating.
17% of Idaho‘s rural population lacks access to wired broadband infrastructure. (Source: BroadbandNow)
Evaluating Idaho‘s Internet Access Challenges
Idaho might be growing at one of the fastest clips in the country, but the state severely lags in providing internet connectivity enabling residents to thrive in the digital economy.
Analysis from BroadbandNow research shows only 83.2% of Idaho households currently have access to broadband level service 25Mpbs or higher – falling below the U.S. average of 87%. Download speeds actually test slower according to Ookla ratings with Idaho ranking 43rd nationally averaging just 110 Mbps.
The discrepency in access stems primarily from the 17% of Idaho citizens residing in rural areas. Remote communities dispersed across the state‘s rugged expanse lack infrastructure needed for modern internet connectivity.
Idaho Broadband Task Force‘s county-level access maps highlight connectivity gaps persisting across rural regions. View interactive map.
Addressing these unserved communities has elevated to become a top policy priority in the state legislature. Newly formed working groups like the Idaho Broadband Task Force have already helped secure over $600 million in total public funding towards rural fiber and wireless deployments. Additional federal support from Infrastructure Act dollars promises continued resources for critical broadband expansion initiatives.
Meanwhile, major infrastructure moves from the likes of Sparklight, Ziply Fiber and CenturyLink combining with disruptive wireless plays by T-Mobile and Viaero for 5G home internet signal growing options across the state.
Now let‘s explore Idaho‘s top internet providers in more detail…
1. Sparklight – Top Cable & Fiber Provider
Boasting over 3,100 fiber route miles powering one of Idaho‘s most robust broadband networks, Sparklight (formerly Cable One) stands as a leading connectivity provider available to both urban and rural regions.
The cable ISP giant offers fiber-powered gigabit speeds in select markets while also providing cable service through 550,000 homes passed across 50 Idaho towns. With substantial infrastructure across Southwest and Central Idaho, Sparklight allows 176,000 state subscribers to enjoy low latency DOCSIS 3.1 powered connections with unlimited data options.
Sparklight coverage spans much of Southwest & Central Idaho. Check availability.
Service Areas: Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Caldwell, Twin Falls, Idaho Falls, Pocatello
Type of Connections: Cable, Fiber
Speeds (Down/Up): 50 – 940 / 10 – 20 Mbps
Data Caps: Unlimited data options
Prices: $65+ monthly
Best For: Large households needing unlimited high-speed internet
With extensive infrastructure serving Idaho‘s densely populated corridors plus fiber and cable packages offering symmetrical speeds up to 940 Mbps down, Sparklight stands poised to provide the fastest, most reliable connections available to many Idaho subscribers.
2. Ziply Fiber – Rapid Fiber Growth
Headquartered in Kirkland, WA, Ziply Fiber represents the product of major industry consolidation with the company acquiring legacy provider Frontier Communication‘s Northwest assets out of bankruptcy in early 2020.
The deal proved transformational for Idaho residents as Ziply has rapidly expanded fiber availability from 16 towns at time of purchase to now over 70 markets while aiming to deliver high speed fiber service to rural communities previously stuck with antiquated copper lines.
Ziply‘s fiber network spans over 40 counties across Idaho and growing. Check availability.
Service Areas: Northern & Central Idaho including Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Twin Falls
Type of Connections: Fiber, DSL
Speeds: 50 – 5000 Mbps
Data Caps: No caps
Prices: $20 – $300 monthly
Best For: Future-proof reliability
With major infrastructure already blanketting Northern Idaho plus a stated commitment of continued expansion into the most rural corners of the state, Ziply Fiber remains hands-down one of the most exciting connectivity developments for Idaho subscribers desperate for an alternative to sluggish copper DSL lines.
3. CenturyLink – Reliable DSL & Growing Fiber
Incumbent telco CenturyLink dates back to 1930 with the company long serving as Idaho‘s leading telephone and internet provider. Though originially focused on slow DSL service, CenturyLink has upgraded infrastructure enabling 940 Mbps fiber connectivity to become available in select markets.
Strong perception for quality and reliability has translated to 47% market share making CenturyLink Idaho‘s most widely adopted ISP. Their DSL and fiber networks now reach over 400,000 households state-wide.
CenturyLink‘s DSL infrastructure blankets Idaho providing basic access, but with limited capacity for top speeds.
Service Areas: Statewide – Boise, Nampa, Meridian, Idaho Falls, Pocatello, Twin Falls
Type of Connections: DSL, Fiber
Speeds: 20 – 940 Mbps
Data Caps: No caps
Prices: $50+ monthly
Best For: Reliable internet accessibility
While lagging some newer fiber entrants in pure performance metrics, CenturyLink concludes our top tier given the ISP‘s legacy footprint across Idaho and demonstrated efforts to upgrade networks enabling faster DSL and fiber availability. This makes CenturyLink a sensible option for many Idahoans even if they can‘t yet achieve gigabit speeds.
4. T-Mobile Home Internet – Game Changing Rural Wireless
As America‘s fastest growing wireless carrier, T-Mobile leveraged major spectrum investments to light up their next generation 5G network quicker than competitors. Now via partnerships with rural providers like Viaero, T-Mobile looks to bring game changing home internet service by leveraging cellular infrastructure to underserved communities.
The $50 monthly offering delivers surprisingly fast and reliable connections rivaling more expensive options. Partnership programs like Project 10Million promise continued expansion efforts for those stuck with only dial-up DSL if anything. With cellular powered internet managing upwards of 182 Mbps down, rural subscribers once stuck choosing between sluggish copper or data-capped satellite gain a new lease through T-Mobile‘s 5G gateway.
Coverage data estimates over 50% of Idaho households now eligible:
Click here to view address level availability.
Service Areas: Available for 50% of households statewide
Type of Connections: 5G / 4G LTE
Speeds: 33 – 182 Mbps
Data Caps: No caps
Prices: $50 monthly
Best For: Affordable high speed for rural residents
Given the early success shown bringing connectivity to remote regions combined with extremely cost effective pricing, T-Mobile Home Internet deserves attention from rural Idahoans as the service expands throughout 2023 and beyond.
5. Viasat – Leading Satellite Provider
Blazing fast fiber networks remain years away for some truly remote Idaho hamlets located hours from any major city. In such drastically underserved regions, satellite internet like Viasat may offer the only means gaining basic internet functionality even with compromised speed.
Viasat boasts the largest satellite network beaming high speed connections from burly Ka-band equipped satellites stationed over 35,000 miles high. Though home installations require clear southern exposure avoiding obstructions, the sheer scope of Viasat‘s space network means even the most isolated canyon, farm or forest clearing likely sees coverage overhead.
Pricing on basic unlimited data plans starts around $50 monthly with speeds usually testing between 12 to 25 Mbps thanks to latency challenges associated with sending signal to and from orbit. Viasat actively publicizes future enhancements which promise faster connections once additional satellites launch. Those in extreme rural locales should still verify availability as lack of wiring makes satellite, fixed wireless or dial-up the only options.
Viasat blankets the entire lower 48 states plus Hawaii and parts of Alaska with satellite availability. Check availability.
Service Areas: Pan Idaho availability
Type of Connections: Satellite
Speeds: 12 – 25 Mbps
Data Caps: 50 GB priority data
Prices: $50+ monthly
Best For: Connectivity in remote locations
Satellite internet seems unlikely to compete with high speed fiber optic connections coming online via Sparklight, Ziply and others throughout urban corridors and some rural towns over the next five to seven years. But for Idaho‘s most challenging reaches – primarily wilderness and mountain areas with sparse settlement, satellite remains a viable solution.
Other Providers to Consider
Beyond the major national players detailed above, smaller regional ISPs utilizing fixed wireless and other technologies are incrementally expanding in rural Idaho. These operators lack the scale to blanket the state, but provide viable options given proximity needs.
Silver Star Communications – Family owned network utilizing fixed wireless equipment to provide 10 – 25Mbps speeds across a spreading portion of rural Idaho counties.
LS Networks – Local outfit focused on delivering quality fixed speed internet without data caps to ill served Southern Idaho towns such as Wendell, Hagerman and Buhl.
Intermax Networks – Boise based provider leveraging fixed point wireless to offer speed tiers up to 1Gbps for residential and enterprise customers located within transmitting radius.
Syringa Wireless – Regional ISP using proprietary equipment to beam fast, reliable internet via wireless signal broadcast from fiber-connected towers sites to towns like Donnelly, Cascade and McCall.
Final Thoughts – Expanding Idaho‘s Internet Future
Completing statewide high speed fiber and wireless infrastructure expansions remains years down the road for Idaho providers, though continued diligence promises more options for rural residents moving forward.
Competition between Sparklight‘s robust cable network, disruptive cellular-powered plays like T-Mobile 5G Home Internet and aggressive fiber overbuilders like Ziply should combine to make multi-Mbps connectivity attainable for more Idaho locations in coming years.
Additional government support programs aim to promote continued network investment ensuring the critical infrastructure necessary for digital economy participation reaches even Idaho‘s most rural outposts. Until then, smaller wireless ISPs and legacy satellite networks attempt filling the most remote gaps.
For additional guidance navigating provider options in your area, explore these Idaho broadband development resources:
Idaho Office of Broadband – State program coordinating rural infrastructure efforts
Idaho Broadband Task Force – Public/private partnership leading expansion initiatives
Coeur d‘Alene Tribe Rural Broadband – Major nonprofit wireless deployment program
Idaho‘s digital landscape remains hindered for some rural regions, though bright spots exist showing progress spreading connectivity to benefit more communities. Stay tuned for updated analysis as providers jockey in competitive quest to best blanket the state with broadband.
