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What is the best internet provider in Billings?
Spectrum is the best internet provider in Billings. It has its flaws, but it’s the only cable or fiber ISP that’s widely available in the city, and you get fast speeds for competitive prices (at least for the first two years).
It is not available at most addresses, but TDS Telecom has the fastest internet speeds in Billings By far. It uses a fiber connection, so you get symmetrical upload and download speeds — essential for online gamers and home workers.
Two wireless options are also worth considering: T-Mobile Home Internet and Verizon 5G Home Internet. Both use their cellular networks to provide home internet in the area, and the speeds are sufficient for all but the most connected homes.
Best internet in Billings, Montana
Comparison of internet providers on Billings
| Supplier | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data limit | Contract | CNET Review Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink Read the full review | DSL | $50 | 20-100 Mbps | $15 (optional) | No | No | 6.7 |
| Spectrum Read the full review | Cable | $50-$70 | 500-1,000 Mbps | $10 (optional) | No | No | 7.2 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50 ($30 with qualifying mobile plans) | 72-245 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.4 |
| TDS Telecom | Fiber | $30-$295 | 300-8,000 Mbps | $12-$15 (optional) | No | No | n/a |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | Fixed wireless connection | $50-$70 ($35-$45 for eligible Verizon Wireless customers) | 50-1,000 Mbps | No | No | No | 7.2 |
| Wispwest | Fixed wireless connection | $15-$50 | 15-50 Mbps | $10 | No | One year | n/a |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Billings?
| Supplier | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment costs |
|---|---|---|---|
| TDS Extreme300 | $30 | 300 Mbps | $12-$15 (optional) |
| TDS Extreme600 | $40 | 600 Mbps | $12-$15 (optional) |
| Wispwest | $48 | 15 Mbps | $10 |
| Spectrum Internet Read the full review | $50 | 500 Mbps | $10 (optional) |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($30 with qualifying mobile plans) | 245 Mbps | No |
| Verizon 5G Home Internet Read the full review | $50 ($35 with qualifying mobile plans) | 300 Mbps | No |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
How to Find Internet Deals and Promotions in Billings
The best internet deals and top promotions in Billings depend on what discounts are available at the time. Most deals are short-lived, but we regularly search for the latest offers.
Billings internet providers, such as Spectrum, may offer lower introductory prices or streaming add-ons for a limited time. However, many providers, including T-Mobile and Verizon, maintain the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more comprehensive overview of all promotions, check out our guide to the best online deals.
Fastest Internet Plans in Billings
| Supplier | Starting price | Maximum download speed | Maximum upload speed | Data limit | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TDS 8Gig | €295 | 8,000 Mbps | 8,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| TDS 5Gig | $225 | 5,000 Mbps | 5,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| TDS 2Gig | €165 | 2,000 Mbps | 2,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| TDS 1Gig | $60 | 1,000 Mbps | 1,000 Mbps | No | Fiber |
| Spectrum Internet Gig Read the full review | $70 | 1,000 Mbps | 35 Mbps | No | Cable |
| Verizon 5G Home Plus Internet Read the full review | $70 ($45 with qualifying mobile plans) | 1,000 Mbps | 75 Mbps | No | Fixed wireless connection |
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Source: CNET analysis of carrier data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet plans now can handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that’s suitable for video conferencing, streaming video, or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here’s a look at the recommended minimum download speeds for different applications, according to the FCCPlease note that these are guidelines only and that Internet speed, service, and performance vary by connection type, provider, and address.
For more information, check out our guide to how much internet speed you really need.
- With 0 to 5 Mbps you can perform basic tasks: surfing the web, sending and receiving email, and streaming low-quality videos.
- 5 to 40 Mbps gives you higher quality video streaming and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should be enough bandwidth for one person to meet the demands of modern teleworking, video streaming, and online gaming.
- With 100 to 500 Mbps, one or two people can simultaneously participate in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- With 500 to 1,000 Mbps, three or more people can participate in high-bandwidth activities simultaneously.
How CNET Chose the Best Internet Providers in Billings
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router, or kitchen utensil, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So how do we approach this? We start by examining pricing, availability, and speed information based on our own historical ISP data, provider sites, and map information from FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t stop there. We use the FCC website to review our data and make sure we account for every ISP that offers service in an area. We also enter local addresses into provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power to evaluate how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and pricing are subject to frequent change; all information provided is accurate at the time of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask ourselves three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably fast internet speeds?
- Do customers get value for their money?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answers to these questions are often multi-layered and complex, the providers that come closest to “yes” to all three questions are the ones we recommend. When it comes to selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fees, though we also consider things like price increases, equipment costs, and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds, and also consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla And FCC Reports.
If you would like to take a more detailed look at our process, please visit our How We Test ISPs page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Internet Providers in Billings
What is the best internet provider in Billings?
Spectrum is the best internet provider in Billings. It is the only cable or fiber provider that is widely available and offers fast speeds at reasonable prices. A recent speed and price adjustment at Spectrum saw all 300Mbps plans upgraded to 500Mbps — for the same price of $50 per month. Now you can choose between 500Mbps for $50 per month or 1,000Mbps for $70 per month. The biggest downside to Spectrum is that prices increase significantly after two years.
Is fiber optic internet available in Billings?
Yes, fiber optic internet is available to 15% of Billings residents, according to FCC dataTDS Telecom is the primary fiber provider in the region, but Quantum Fiber also has some coverage in southwest Billings.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Billings?
TDS Telecom is the cheapest internet provider in Billings, with plans starting at $30 per month for speeds of 300 Mbps.
Which internet provider in Billings offers the fastest plan?
TDS Telecom offers the fastest plan in Billings, with upload and download speeds of 8,000 Mbps.
