Montana is a beautiful state, but it lacks good options fast, reliable and affordable internet. It ranks 50th in the Ookla Speedtest data of the states (i Washington, DC), just a beating Wyoming. Most city dwellers can still access decent broadband speeds.
I fondly remember summers in Montana, fishing with my grandparents and watching deer roam the yard. My grandparents didn't have internet in their home in Libby, but times have changed with that optical internet now available from Zipley. Libby is one of the lucky places in the Treasure State with fiber access. Most of the country has to rely cable, DSLfixed wireless or satellite internet.
What is the best ISP in Montana?
Spectrum is CNET's top pick for Best Internet Service Provider in Montana. The cable provider delivers gig-grade broadband to many of Montana's population centers. CNET examines customer service, speed, pricing and overall value before recommending the best broadband in your area. This provider offers two plans in the area; for $50 and $70 per month.
The spectrum is joined by other recommendations, including CenturyLink for availability and TDS Telecom as the ISP to watch. Whether you're moving to Montana or looking to upgrade your current broadband situation, this guide will help you navigate your ISP options.
The best internet options in Montana
Montana Rural Internet Options
| Provider | Connection type | Price range | Speed range | Data cap | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink Internet Read the full review |
DSL | 55 dollars | 1-140 Mbps | No one | It covers more than half of Montana's households |
| Grizzly Broadband | Fixed wireless/fibre | 70-130 dollars | 10-1,000 Mbps | No one | The bitterroot area |
| KDS Networks | Fixed wireless/fibre | 60-160 dollars | 150-1,000 Mbps | No one | Great Falls area |
| Missoula Valley Internet Cooperative | Fixed wireless | Usually $25-$100 based on usage | 100-500 Mbps | No one | missoula valley |
| Internet in Montana | Fixed wireless/fibre | $65-$89 for fixed wireless | 8-25 Mbps | No one | Great Falls, Helena and Lewiston areas |
| Montana Sky Networks | Fixed Wireless/Fiber/Cable | $55-$110 | 10-1000 Mbps | No one | Marion, Kalispell, Whitefish, West Glacier, Libby, Troy, Lake and more |
| Rural broadband | Fixed wireless | 50-100 dollars | 15-60 Mbps | No one | Billing area |
| Wispwest | Fixed wireless | 48-90 dollars | 15-50 Mbps | No one | Southern Montana |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
People living in rural homes, ranches and farms need decent internet for work and play. That can be a challenge in some parts of Montana. Satellite Internet from Starlink, Viasat or Hughesnett is spare, but tends to be expensive, and speeds can be less than desirable. When it comes to wired Internet, your best bet is likely to be CenturyLink DSL, which often has a wider coverage area than most other alternatives. Speeds can be extremely variable by location and max out at 100 Mbps.
Montana is littered with local ISPs that offer fixed wireless for rural locations, sometimes connected by smaller fiber. Our chart covers some options available across the state, but there are more than we've listed here. Fixed wireless network speeds may vary by location. You will need good visibility to the tower. Here how does fixed wireless compare on other types of internet connections. Most fixed wireless ISPs have fairly standard plans with pricing based on speed. The exception is the Missoula Valerie Internet Co-op. Billed based on usage. Montana could use some improvement in rural broadband options. The state is well aware of this issue and is in the process of allocating funds to improve access to more remote communities as well as ranches and farms.
Internet outage by city in Montana
It's difficult to cover the broadband options of an entire state and give individual cities the attention they deserve. That's why we also compile lists of the best ISPs in cities across the US, including those in Montana. We handle details like internet connection types, maximum speed, cheapest providers and more. Check back later if you don't find the city you're looking for below. We are working on adding more locations every week.
Montana Broadband at a Glance
The FCC's National Broadband Map shows that all Montana households can access broadband, but that doesn't paint the full picture of the Internet scene in the Treasure State. The FCC defines broadband as at least 25Mbps down and 3Mbps up, and includes satellite Internet in its estimate. Satellite internet can be expensive and slow and may not be good for all rural locations. On says the state government 5% of Montanans live in underserved areas and 13% live in unserved areas.
FCC data shows that fewer than 29% of Montana households can access fiber optic internet, and if we're talking at least gigabit speeds, that number drops to 21%. Unsurprisingly, you're likely to find fiber in larger cities, but even then, it's a bit scattered. There are some exceptions. Libby, a town of less than 3,000, is covered by Ziply Fiber. If hair is important to you for remote work or gaming, that narrows down your options for places to live in Montana. If you can get by with gig downloads and uploads at 35 Mbps, the Spectrum covers a lot more ground.
Montana broadband speeds
Montana's poor showing in Ookla's state speed test rankings points to the state's rural broadband challenges. (Disclaimer: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis). As for gig speeds, FCC data shows that only 16% of Montana homes are covered.
Ookla lists Spectrum as the fastest provider in Montana, with an average download speed of 241 Mbps. The downside to cable is that you're stuck with slower upload speeds. For symmetrical gears, you should turn to fiber. Montana includes some coverage from Quantum Fiber, Ziply Fiber, TDS Telecom, or local ISPs like Montana Internet and Grizzly Broadband. If you're currently struggling with fast internet speeds, there are some things you can try to improve your situation. Check these out four basic steps to speed up your internet connection.
Internet prices in Montana
Home Internet rates vary in Montana. On the low end, you can bundle an eligible T-Mobile phone plan with an internet plan to bring your internet cost down to $35 per month. Most ISPs start at $50 and up. That includes CenturyLink's DSL networks and Quantum Fiber's lowest tier, with the fiber plan being the superior 500Mbps service deal. Affordability is a big problem. You can always try negotiate back for a better deal.
The future of broadband in Montana
With Montana already near the bottom in internet speed for the US, there's nowhere to go but up. Fortunately, there is some movement in that direction, especially in terms of fiber availability. TDS Telecom said in early 2023 it will bring fiber speeds up to 8 gigabytes to Helena, Butte, Missoula and Great Falls. He was already working on fiber in Billings. By the time TDS is completed, it will serve 150,000 homes and businesses.
A significant amount of funding is coming to expand broadband to underserved and underserved areas of the state. The federal Access and deployment of broadband capital The program provides $630 million in funding. It is in addition to a Investment in the infrastructure of 309 million dollars announced by Governor Greg Gianforte in late 2022. That money aims to bring reliable broadband to 62,000 homes, small businesses, farms and ranches.
Internet in Montana FAQ
Does Montana have good internet?
While some pockets of Montana have access to gigabit speeds and even fiber-optic internet, Montana ranks near the bottom in internet speeds for the nation. State and federal investments should help connect more Montanans to fast and affordable broadband over the next few years. If high-speed Internet is a must, look into larger population areas and check your options for the locations you're considering. Chances are you at least have access to the Spectrum level of gigs.
Is there fiber internet in Montana?
Montana has limited fiber, but more is coming. Quantum Fiber, Ziply Fiber, TDS Telecom and local ISPs like Montana Internet and Grizzly Broadband have fiber networks in pockets of the state. Big national competitors like AT&T Fiber and Google Fiber have so far bypassed Montana.
Is Spectrum or CenturyLink Better for Internet in Montana?
While Spectrum and CenturyLink have a decent presence in Montana, there isn't much competition between them. Spectrum offers superior download speeds if you're choosing between Spectrum and CenturyLink's older DSL network. If you're lucky enough to be in a small fiber service area from CenturyLink's sister brand, Quantum Fiber, then consider the fiber option, especially if you need gigabit-level service and will be using fast send speeds. Read CNET's Spectrum and CenturyLink comparison.