Our rating — Strong regional fiber provider with excellent customer service and no-contract flexibility, but limited to five Upper Midwest states—check if they even serve your address before getting excited.
Midco Internet Review 2026: Strong Regional Fiber, Upper Midwest Only
This South Dakota-based provider delivers competitive fiber speeds up to 10 Gbps with no contracts and consistent pricing—but only if you live in one of 400 communities across five Upper Midwest states. Outside that footprint, you're out of luck.
Midco Fiber
100 Mbps to 10 Gbps
Symmetrical speeds
5-15ms latency
Best for: Upper Midwest residents in fiber-served areas who want multi-gig speeds with local support
Midco Cable
100-1000 Mbps down
Lower upload speeds
15-30ms latency
Only consider if: You're in a Midco cable area and alternatives are limited to DSL or satellite
Which Midco Service Can You Get?
Midco operates in exactly five states—South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, and Wisconsin—covering approximately 400 communities and 85,333 census blocks. This isn't a provider you'll find in most of America. If you're not in Sioux Falls, Fargo, Bismarck, Austin (Minnesota), or Albert Lea, your chances of having Midco as an option drop significantly.Within their service territory, technology availability varies considerably. Midco has invested heavily in fiber-optic infrastructure in their core markets, offering symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps where fiber reaches. In communities without fiber, they provide cable internet using DOCSIS 3.1 technology with speeds up to 1 Gbps download but significantly lower uploads. The company serves primarily smaller cities and suburbs rather than truly rural areas—if you're on a farm 20 miles outside of town, Midco probably doesn't reach you.The good news: Midco's concentrated footprint means they maintain local service centers and infrastructure teams in their markets, leading to faster response times than national providers stretched across the country. The bad news: if you're moving to Denver, Chicago, or anywhere outside these five states, Midco simply won't be an option regardless of how much you liked their service.
The technology difference matters significantly—fiber customers get symmetrical multi-gig speeds while cable customers face upload bottlenecks. Check your specific address to know which technology you'd actually receive.
Plans and Pricing
Midco offers six speed tiers ranging from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps, though availability depends heavily on whether you're in a fiber or cable area. Upload speeds listed assume fiber—cable customers get significantly lower uploads.
| Plan | Download Speed | Upload Speed | Monthly Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GIG Internet 100 | 100 Mbps | 100 Mbps (fiber) / ~10 Mbps (cable) | $50-60/mo | Single person or couple with light streaming and browsing |
| GIG Internet 250 | 250 Mbps | 250 Mbps (fiber) / ~25 Mbps (cable) | $70-80/mo | Small households with 2-3 users streaming simultaneously |
| GIG Internet 500Editor's Pick | 500 Mbps | 500 Mbps (fiber) / ~50 Mbps (cable) | $90-100/mo | Families with heavy streaming, gaming, and video calls |
| GIG Internet 1 Gig | 1000 Mbps | 1000 Mbps (fiber) / ~50 Mbps (cable) | $110-120/mo | Power users, content creators, large households |
| GIG Internet 2 Gig | 2000 Mbps | 2000 Mbps (fiber only) | $150-160/mo | Extreme users uploading massive files or running home servers |
| Multi-Gig (up to 10 Gbps) | Up to 10,000 Mbps | Up to 10,000 Mbps (fiber only) | Custom pricing | Businesses or prosumers with specialized bandwidth needs |
Customer Experience
Midco consistently scores above national cable providers in customer satisfaction, benefiting from their regional focus and local service centers. As a smaller provider serving 400 communities rather than the entire country, they maintain phone support teams familiar with specific service areas and can deploy local technicians faster than national competitors. Customer reviews frequently mention responsive support and quick resolution times, though experiences vary by market.
What Customers Praise
Midco's local service model generates consistently positive feedback. Customers appreciate talking to representatives who understand their specific community and can dispatch technicians who live in the area. The no-contract policy earns praise from renters and anyone who's dealt with early termination fees elsewhere. Fiber customers report consistently fast speeds matching advertised rates, with symmetrical uploads that actually work as promised. The 'no price hikes' guarantee on certain plans eliminates the frustrating cycle of promotional rates expiring and bills jumping $20-30 after year one.
Common Complaints
Cable customers (those without fiber access) express frustration with upload speeds that lag far behind downloads—a 500 Mbps plan with only 50 Mbps upload disappoints anyone doing frequent video calls or file uploads. Equipment rental fees of $10-15 monthly add up over time, though purchasing your own compatible device avoids this. Some customers report higher pricing than competitors in markets where multiple fiber providers compete. In smaller communities with limited Midco competition, pricing can feel less aggressive than in areas where they face other fiber providers.
Equipment and Setup
Midco provides a GIG Center all-in-one modem/router for cable customers and an ONT plus router for fiber customers, typically rented for $10-15 monthly. The equipment includes WiFi 6 support, parental controls, and guest network capabilities managed through Midco's mobile app. You can purchase compatible equipment to avoid rental fees—cable customers need a DOCSIS 3.1 modem, while fiber customers need to coordinate with Midco on compatible routers. Professional installation costs $50-100 depending on complexity, though self-installation kits are available for straightforward setups. Fiber installations typically require a technician due to specialized equipment.
Real-world performance: Fiber customers report actual speeds matching advertised rates with 5-15ms latency. Cable customers see good download performance but should expect 15-30ms latency and significantly lower upload speeds than advertised download speeds.
How Midco Compares to Competitors
Head-to-head comparison for 1 Gbps-tier plans. The data speaks for itself.
Key insight: Midco's main advantage is local service quality and consistent pricing without promotional games—you pay the same rate year after year on 'no price hike' plans. CenturyLink Fiber costs less for gigabit speeds in overlapping markets, but customer service ratings trail Midco's. Xfinity offers wider availability but with data caps, lower uploads, and lower satisfaction scores. Fixed wireless options like T-Mobile cost less but deliver variable performance depending on tower proximity and congestion.
Midco Internet Pros and Cons
- ✓No annual contracts—cancel anytime without early termination fees
- ✓'No price hikes' on select plans means consistent monthly rates without promotional expiration
- ✓Symmetrical fiber speeds up to 10 Gbps in select markets
- ✓Local service centers and phone support teams familiar with specific communities
- ✓No data caps on any plan, including cable tiers
- ✓Fiber latency of 5-15ms works well for gaming and video calls
- ✓Bundle discounts available when combining internet with TV and phone
- ✗Limited to 400 communities across just five Upper Midwest states
- ✗Cable customers get asymmetrical speeds with significantly lower uploads
- ✗Equipment rental adds $10-15/mo unless you purchase your own
- ✗Pricing can run higher than competitors in markets with multiple fiber providers
- ✗Limited rural coverage even within their five-state footprint
- ✗Professional installation costs $50-100 for fiber setups
- ✗Multi-gig plans above 2 Gbps available only in limited markets
Who Should Choose Midco Internet?
- →Upper Midwest residents in fiber-served areas who want symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps with local customer support
- →Remote workers doing frequent video calls who need reliable upload speeds for Zoom, Teams, and cloud file syncing
- →Renters and students who value no-contract flexibility and predictable monthly pricing
- →Content creators and streamers uploading large video files or streaming to Twitch with symmetrical fiber
- →Households frustrated with promotional pricing who prefer consistent rates over year-one discounts that expire
- →Anyone outside their five-state footprint—Midco doesn't operate in your area—check CenturyLink, Xfinity, or local fiber providers
- →Cable-only areas with heavy upload needs—asymmetrical speeds will bottleneck video calls and file uploads—wait for fiber or try T-Mobile Home Internet
- →Budget-conscious customers in competitive markets—CenturyLink Fiber and other competitors may offer lower gigabit pricing
- →Rural residents outside town limits—Midco focuses on cities and suburbs—check Starlink or fixed wireless for farm/ranch coverage
- →Customers wanting the absolute lowest price—fixed wireless options like T-Mobile cost $50-60/mo versus Midco's $110-120 for gigabit
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Midco have data caps?+
No. Midco doesn't impose data caps on any residential internet plan, whether you're on the 100 Mbps entry tier or the 10 Gbps multi-gig service. You can stream, download, and upload as much as you want without overage fees or throttling after hitting a threshold. This contrasts with providers like Xfinity that enforce 1.2 TB monthly caps.
Does Midco require contracts?+
No. Midco offers all residential internet plans without annual contracts or early termination fees. You can cancel service at any time without penalty, making them a good option for renters, students, or anyone uncertain about long-term housing situations. Installation fees may apply, but there's no commitment period locking you in.
What's the cheapest Midco plan?+
GIG Internet 100 (100 Mbps) typically costs $50-60 per month depending on your market. This entry-level tier works for single users or couples with basic streaming and browsing needs. However, pricing varies by location—check Midco's website for your specific address. Equipment rental adds $10-15/mo unless you purchase your own compatible modem/router.
Is Midco faster than CenturyLink?+
It depends on technology. Midco's fiber offers symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps in select markets, while CenturyLink Fiber tops out at 940 Mbps symmetrical in most areas. However, CenturyLink's gigabit fiber costs around $65/mo versus Midco's $110-120, making CenturyLink faster per dollar in overlapping fiber markets. If you're comparing Midco fiber to CenturyLink DSL, Midco wins decisively—DSL maxes out around 100 Mbps with poor uploads.
Can I use my own router with Midco?+
Yes, but it depends on your service type. Cable customers can purchase any DOCSIS 3.1-compatible modem and connect their own router, avoiding the $10-15 monthly rental fee. Fiber customers receive an ONT (optical network terminal) from Midco but can typically connect their own router to it—contact Midco to verify compatibility requirements for your specific fiber plan. Using your own equipment means you handle troubleshooting, but you save $120-180 annually in rental fees.
How long does Midco installation take?+
Self-installation using Midco's kit can be completed in 30-60 minutes for straightforward cable setups. Professional installation typically takes 2-4 hours depending on whether you need new wiring or wall jacks. Fiber installations almost always require a professional technician and may take longer if they need to run fiber from the street to your home. Scheduling varies by market—expect to wait 3-7 days for an appointment in most areas, potentially longer during peak moving seasons.
Is Midco good for gaming?+
Yes, if you have fiber. Midco fiber delivers 5-15ms latency with consistent ping times, working well for competitive gaming where every millisecond matters. Cable customers see 15-30ms latency, which is acceptable for most gaming but not as responsive as fiber. The bigger concern is upload speed—cable customers with asymmetrical connections may struggle if they're streaming gameplay to Twitch while gaming. Fiber customers get symmetrical speeds that handle simultaneous gaming and streaming without issues.
Does Midco include equipment?+
Midco provides equipment but charges a monthly rental fee of $10-15. Cable customers receive a GIG Center all-in-one modem/router with WiFi 6 support. Fiber customers get an ONT and compatible router. The equipment includes technical support and free replacement if it fails. You can purchase your own compatible equipment to avoid rental fees—a DOCSIS 3.1 modem costs $100-200 upfront but pays for itself in 8-16 months. Midco's mobile app lets you manage WiFi settings, parental controls, and guest networks regardless of equipment ownership.
Where is Midco Available?
Midco serves 5 states with coverage across 85,333 census blocks.
Browse by State
Click a state to see cities where Midco is available.
Top 12 Cities by Coverage
Ranked by number of census blocks served.
Strong local matches
Top cities for Midco availability
These city links are ordered by observed coverage in the FCC data and limited to pages already published on FindBetterInternet.
The Bottom Line
Midco represents what regional internet providers can do right: local customer service, no-contract flexibility, consistent pricing without promotional games, and aggressive fiber deployment in their core markets. They're not trying to serve the entire country—they're focused on 400 communities across five Upper Midwest states, and that concentrated approach shows in customer satisfaction scores that exceed national cable providers.
If you're in a Midco fiber area, you're getting legitimate symmetrical speeds up to 10 Gbps with 5-15ms latency, no data caps, and the ability to cancel anytime without penalties. The 'no price hikes' guarantee on select plans eliminates the frustrating cycle of promotional rates expiring and bills jumping after year one. Pricing runs higher than some competitors like CenturyLink Fiber in overlapping markets, but the combination of service quality and predictable billing makes Midco worth serious consideration. Cable customers face asymmetrical upload speeds that limit video conferencing and file upload performance—if you're stuck with cable, you're getting decent download speeds but should temper expectations for uploads.
Strong regional fiber provider with excellent customer service and no-contract flexibility, but limited to five Upper Midwest states—check if they even serve your address before getting excited.
The obvious limitation: if you're not in South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Kansas, or Wisconsin, Midco isn't an option. Even within those states, coverage concentrates in cities and suburbs rather than rural areas. Check your specific address to confirm both availability and technology type—fiber versus cable makes a significant difference in performance.
For Upper Midwest residents with Midco fiber access, this provider delivers competitive speeds with better customer service than most national alternatives. Compare local pricing against CenturyLink and other fiber competitors, but don't dismiss Midco based solely on monthly cost—consistent rates and responsive local support have value. If you're in a cable-only area with heavy upload needs, consider waiting for fiber expansion or checking fixed wireless alternatives. And if you're outside their five-state footprint? You're shopping for a different provider entirely.