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CenturyLink is not only an internet service provider serving homes and businesses nationwide, it's a pioneer in the world of technology. CenturyLink provides service to 37 states, and its mission is to maximize the customer experience by providing the best, possible connection to a world weaved together by the networks that we all depend upon to do business and to do entertainment each and every day. CenturyLink serves its mission to provide secure, reliable, and fast connections to all its customers via its far-reaching fiber network.
In areas where CenturyLink's fiber network is available, customers will enjoy gigabit speeds at a great price. Even in areas where gigabit speeds are not available, customers enjoy the same great promotions, prices, and features no matter where they live. Not only does CenturyLink offer some of the most affordable internet prices in the United States, but it also offers customers the tremendous value of Simply Unlimited plans!
CenturyLink aims to give you the best internet experience and to accomplish that, it provides a state-of-the-art WiFi service that allows you to connect multiple devices to your network at the same time. You will be able to stream your favorite content, play your favorite games online, and upload effortlessly from any connected device in your home at any time. CenturyLink offers customers the option to either purchase the modem for a one time upfront fee of $150 or to lease the equipment for a monthly charge of $15. CenturyLink Ease offers added protection by offering round-the-clock tech support and online identity protection.
CenturyLink offers fiber or slower DSL speeds, depending on where you live. A one time installation fee will most likely apply if a tech is required to come out to your home to install the service. Self-installation is an option in some areas and is free when it is available. CenturyLink also offers home phone service to its customers. CenturyLink home phone service includes unlimited nationwide calling.
HughesNet currently has the highest coverage area in the nation with all fifty states falling under its service area. One of the two major satellite providers in the nation, HughesNet has focused the core of its business on providing internet to underserved or un-served areas, often rural or small towns. Its recently increased speeds up to 25mbps with the launch of its new Gen 5 satellite, the “EchoStar XIX.” With ninety-eight percent of the country under HughesNet’s coverage area, it’s almost guaranteed that they’ll be an option available to any consumer.
HughesNet uses geosynchronous satellites to provide its customers with broadband internet connections. Since HughesNet was initially founded, it’s launched multiple satellites with its latest launch occurring in 2017 with the “EchoStar XIX,” powering HughesNet’s Gen 5 service. This launch allowed the company to reach broadband levels, increasing speeds to 25 Mbps across the board. It also increased the available bandwidth that HughesNet offered its customers as well as simplifying their pricing structure to a tiered system that was based on available data caps. HughesNet does operate off of priority data caps though its internet can be considered unlimited. At no point does HughesNet charge overage prices or shut the internet off if a customer goes over their “priority data” limit, instead just having to deal with reduced speeds until their next billing cycle. If a customer does need more data before their next billing cycle rolls around, HughesNet has made data tokens available, increasing priority data and increasing available speeds in the process.
HughesNet is a great choice for rural customers as wired connections are often completely unavailable in America’s more remote locations. Satellite internet allows them to access the world wide web at broadband speeds allowing for almost any activity. It does have its drawbacks though. The biggest activities this can be seen in is online gaming and virtual private networks. This is in large part due to the latency, or ping, that satellite internet experiences. The time signals take to transmit from the customer’s dish to the satellite to the receiving and then back again can take anywhere from a half-second to a second. For most activities like browsing the internet or streaming video, this latency is almost entirely imperceivable. For gaming though, that often required split-second reaction times, it is unavoidable. VPNs, in particular, are affected, as well. When using a VPN, download speeds even when within the priority data limit can tank anywhere from fifty to seventy-five percent. This reduction in speeds is not guaranteed with some VPN users not having any issues whatsoever. With that being said, it is something to take into account when considering a satellite internet provider.
For many rural customers, satellite internet is going to be one of the only viable options open to them. That doesn’t make it a lesser product though. When choosing the right package for you, assess your needs, your internet usage, and your budget to choose the package that will leave you satisfied and meet all of your digital requirements.
Though having been around since 1986, ViaSat didn't launch its first internet plans until 2012. ViaSat is a satellite internet service provider with a general focus on serving areas that normally do not have access to a reliable internet connection. Covering 98% of the country and all 50 states, all that is needed to be able to connect is a clear line of sight to the southern sky, a modem, and a satellite dish to send and receive signals. This has helped many of those who would otherwise have to spend thousands, if not tens of thousands of dollars, to run a DSL, cable, or fiber line to their home.
ViaSat has continually upgraded its service. When the company first launched, its entire service survived off the back of one satellite, the ViaSat-1. Since then, they've acquired three additional satellites, either through additional launches or acquisitions from other companies to greatly expand its capabilities. The last of these to launch, the ViaSat-2, was said to increase the total bandwidth and network capacity available by 300 Gigabits per second as well as take ViaSat's service internationally. They have plans to increase this further. They've announced three more launches of their newest satellite, the ViaSat-3, that will increase the total bandwidth by a full terabit per second. The first of these is set to launch in 2020 with a second launch planned by 2022.
Offering free standard installation on all orders, ViaSat makes connecting to the internet easier than ever. ViaSat offers multiple different plans that feature different speeds and different levels of priority data. Priority data? I'm sure the question being asked is “Does ViaSat have a data cap?” The answer is a resounding no. Viasat offers unlimited data without charging overage fees or shutting your internet connection off. If one does go over their priority data, then at that point, customers just have to contend with network congestion much like any other internet service provider. If there is no congestion, then speed should be unaffected. This makes ViaSat a perfect option for activities like streaming, checking social media, or visiting a favorite site on the web.
ViaSat is perfect for almost any web-based application. Connecting your smartphone, sharing videos online, and watching your favorite streaming service are perfect fits for ViaSat's network. The only limitations ViaSat has are gaming and Virtual Private Networks(VPN). When it comes to gaming, there should be a half a second to full second lag time when playing online. If you're playing single-player games, this interruption is non-existent and will not interfere with any updates that a game may release after launch. A VPN is another matter. VPNs put a significant strain on any network and satellite networks doubly so. When using a VPN with ViaSat, speeds can be expected to drop anywhere from 50 to 75 percent. That doesn't mean ViaSat is an inferior service though. However, when looking to game or use in-home VPN, it's important to be aware of the technology's limitations so that you can plan accordingly and choose the best service that will fit your needs.
Rise Broadband started in 2015 and offers fixed wireless to sixteen states with over twenty million people able to log in to its service. Dedicated to providing its customers with reliable high-speed internet connections, Rise Broadband enables its users to connect to their favorite sites, streaming platforms, and gaming communities without delay. Focused on areas without DSL, cable, or fiber service, Rise Broadband has connected areas of the nation that would not normally have access to the world wide web through an affordable service without sacrificing quality. This has become more and more important as demand increases across the nation for high-speed internet, especially when the infrastructure that would normally allow for connection is not present.
Rise Broadband is the nation’s largest network based on a fixed wireless connection. Rise Broadband’s parent company, JAB Wireless Inc., was founded in 2005 and focuses on providing residential, commercial, enterprise broadband, and enterprise cloud services. It spun a portion of its company that formerly operated under Digis, Prairie iNet, Rhino Communications, and Skybeam into Rise Broadband in 2015 with the focus of providing underserved communities with broadband service for residential and commercial locations. As Rise Broadband continues to grow, it can be expected that more acquisitions and mergers will take place and that further access points granting service will be installed.
Rise Broadband’s fixed wireless technology is at the cutting edge. Able to deliver speeds anywhere from 3 Mbps to 1000 Mbps, its service can be compared to DSL, cable, and even fiber lines. Fixed wireless technology originates from a central hub, much like traditional connections through a grounded line. That is also where the difference lies though. Instead of running lines in the ground via cable, Rise Broadband instead uses a focused point-to-point wireless device that is pointed directly at the access point. This can sometimes be through a transmitter or antenna. As long as there is a clear line of sight to the Rise Broadband access point, service will be available. This is particularly beneficial in rural areas where the cost to lay DSL, cable, or fiber can often prohibit costs that just don’t make sense for either the company laying those lines or the end-user. It’s a great option for when a household does not have access to traditional grounded lines or if they are just tired of dealing with the cable companies.
Fixed wireless always Rise Broadband to have a massive coverage area where normally they would be sequestered to where lines have been laid. It allows them to often skip the major legal and economic considerations that a wired connection requires. Going even further, fixed wireless is able to use relay points that extend even further out than service would normally reach. The signal basically jumps from relay point to relay point even when the final signal is more than the few miles that Rise Broadband normally requires. Using these relay points can be particularly useful for major businesses with multiple sites, using the signal from the original site to extend to areas that couldn’t otherwise be served.
Sparklight, formerly Cable One, is the ninth-largest cable provider in the country offering service to twenty-one states. Having adapted the cable lines traditionally used to provide television service, Sparklight has created a network that provides its customers with high-speed connections to their favorite sites, streaming services, and social media networks. Sparklight customers enjoy a full suite of products that they’re able to bundle with their internet service including cable television and home phone service.
Sparklight’s network is built off the back of coaxial lines that Cable One originally started laying when the company opened its doors in 1997. Cable lines are generally considered the most popular method to transmit internet connections due to their high availability, relatively high speeds, and low cost when building out the infrastructure. This is often preferable for internet service providers because it allows them to avoid the millions, if not billions, of dollars that would be required to upgrade existing lines to fiber while being able to provide similar speeds and service. There are portions of Sparklight’s network that do run off of fiber lines but it cannot be considered a true fiber service as those lines do not connect directly to the end-user. These coaxial lines are able to support high bandwidth, though that bandwidth is generally shared among users. What this means for Sparklight’s customers is that they may see reduced speeds during times of high congestion. Even with that being said, if you are experiencing reduced speeds due to network congestion, speeds should remain high enough to be able to handle normal internet usage.
Formerly Cable One, Sparklight decided to rebrand and exclusively operate under the Sparklight name in 2019. The rebranding came about due to a shift in focus within the company. Instead of focusing on being a traditional cable company, Sparklight transitioned to a model that instead would focus on connecting its customers online. This makes sense as more and more consumers are “cutting the cord” and moving away from cable television to instead get most of their video content through online streaming platforms like Netflix and Hulu. Going even further, a vast majority of users now receive their news online and via social media. Sparklight transformed itself in order to keep up with the times and to keep in step with the modern internet user.
While Sparklight has cemented itself as an internet service provider, that is not all they offer. Offering television and home phone service, Sparklight has an array of different packages, bundles, and prices for the residential consumer to choose from. This is great for their customers because every household and every user is going to be operating under a different budget with different needs. With over three million people living within the Sparklight coverage area, Sparklight has created a platform for everyone within that range to find a service option that is going to fit them. As Sparklight continues to expand that coverage area, the number of users who find the right service through Sparklight will only grow further.
Best Provider By Need
Best Overall
Fastest Download
Best For Gaming
Streaming Video
Internet Provider Availability Map
Fixed Wireless Coverage
90.28%
DSL Internet Coverage
65.45%
Cable Internet Coverage
61.61%
Fiber Internet Coverage
36.30%
Summary of Fastest Internet Providers in Pocatello, ID
| Provider | Max Speed | Avg Speed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | | Sparklight | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps | |
| 2. | | CenturyLink | 1 Gbps | 38 Mbps | |
| 3. |  | Direct Communications | 100 Mbps | 47 Mbps | |
| 4. | | ViaSat | 100 Mbps | 20 Mbps | |
| 5. | Affinity Technology Solutions | 100 Mbps | 19 Mbps | ||
| 6. |  | SpeedConnect | 50 Mbps | 12 Mbps | |
| 7. | | HughesNet | 25 Mbps | 25 Mbps | |
| 8. | Safelink Internet | 15 Mbps | 15 Mbps | ||
| 9. | AlwaysOn | 15 Mbps | 15 Mbps | ||
| 10. | | Rise Broadband | 15 Mbps | 15 Mbps | |
| Data provided by various data sources including the FCC. For more information please view our sources page. | |||||
Summary of All Internet Providers in Pocatello, ID
| Provider | Type | Coverage | Max Speed | Avg Speed | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | | HughesNet | 90.72% | 25 Mbps | 25 Mbps | ||
| 2. | | ViaSat | 90.72% | 100 Mbps | 20 Mbps | ||
| 3. | | Rise Broadband | 90.72% | 15 Mbps | 15 Mbps | ||
| 4. | | CenturyLink | 64.84% | 1 Gbps | 38 Mbps | ||
| 5. | | Sparklight | 60.18% | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps | ||
| 6. | Safelink Internet | 37.03% | 15 Mbps | 15 Mbps | |||
| 7. | | Direct Communications | 35.89% | 100 Mbps | 47 Mbps | ||
| 8. | | SpeedConnect | 17.84% | 50 Mbps | 12 Mbps | ||
| 9. | Affinity Technology Solutions | 1.77% | 100 Mbps | 19 Mbps | |||
| 10. | AlwaysOn | 1.69% | 15 Mbps | 15 Mbps | |||
| Data provided by various data sources including the FCC. For more information please view our sources page. | |||||||
Frequently Asked Questions about Pocatello, ID.
Which provider offers the best internet service in Pocatello, ID?
CenturyLink is the best internet provider in Pocatello, ID, with download speeds up to 1 Gbps and pricing starting at $50.00.
How many internet providers provide service in Pocatello, ID?
There are currently 10 providers that offer internet service in Pocatello, ID.
What providers offer internet service in Pocatello, ID.
CenturyLink, HughesNet, ViaSat, Rise Broadband, Sparklight, Safelink Internet, Direct Communications, SpeedConnect, Affinity Technology Solutions and AlwaysOn offer internet service in Pocatello, ID.
What is the cheapest internet provider in Pocatello, ID?
Rise Broadband is the cheapest internet provider in Pocatello, ID, with pricing starting at $40.00.
What provider has the fastest speeds in Pocatello, ID?
Sparklight is the faster internet provider in Pocatello, ID, with maximum speeds reaching 1 Gbps and average speeds of 1 Gbps.
Is fiber internet available in Pocatello, ID?
Yes! Fiber internet covers 36% of Pocatello, ID.
Summary of School Districts in Pocatello, ID
| District | Grades | Max Speed | Avg Speed |
|---|---|---|---|
| American Falls Joint 381 | PK - 12 | 1 Gbps | 97 Mbps |
| Pocatello 25 | PK - 12 | 1 Gbps | 142 Mbps |
| Data provided by various data sources including the FCC. For more information please view our sources page. | |||