Rapid City, SD Internet
Internet Providers in Rapid City, SD
Compare every internet provider in Rapid City, SD: coverage from FCC filings, plan prices checked monthly, and an address check for your street.
The 30-Second Verdict
UpdatedMidco is the best overall: fiber with speeds up to 5,000/5,000 Mbps reaches about 7% of the city. Where that does not reach, CenturyLink is the broadest backup, mostly DSL, with an overall footprint of about 75% and its fastest common DSL tier, up to 60 Mbps, reaching about 18%. North Rapid is especially Midco-heavy, with cable speeds up to 1,000/50 Mbps covering about 59%, while fiber reaches about 10%. In Canyon Lake, Midco leads with about 42% coverage, and its fiber reaches about 4%, while Mt. Rushmore Telephone Company’s fiber has a small local presence.
Robbinsdale also leans Midco, while ZIP 57709 has Midco covering about 46% and Bluepeak fiber reaching about 14%. Students at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and Western Dakota Technical College should check apartment-specific options, especially where old DSL or copper lines could complicate Zoom, streaming, or gaming. T-Mobile and Verizon add fixed wireless choices, with their fastest listed tiers reaching about 20% and 29% of the city respectively. West Boulevard and every other neighborhood can change street by street, so confirm the exact address before choosing.
Best Internet Providers in Rapid City, SD
Speed Score: Faster than 99% of all internet options in South Dakota
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
Midco is a top-tier option where its fiber service is available, offering up to 5000 Mbps both ways with a Speed Score of 99/100. That fiber plan reaches about 7% of Rapid City, while Midco’s cable service is also a solid option, with up to 2000/350 Mbps and a 98/100 score, or up to 1000/50 Mbps and a 79/100 score. Since the best technology may not reach your address, check which Midco plan is available at your specific location.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Midco
Midco is a strong option in Rapid City, especially for demanding households, with fiber offering up to 5,000 Mbps both ways in about 7% of census blocks and cable offering up to 2,000 Mbps download and 350 Mbps upload in about 11%. Availability is address-dependent, so many shoppers may instead see the cable plan with up to 1,000 Mbps download and 50 Mbps upload, which works well for most everyday use but is less suitable for heavy uploads or multiple demanding users.
Available Plans
Cable
Cable
Fiber
Bluepeak
Speeds up to 5,000 Mbps
Plans start at $50 /mo *
Speed Score: Faster than 99% of all internet options in South Dakota
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
Bluepeak’s top-tier fiber plan reaches about 2% of Rapid City, offering up to 5000 Mbps symmetrical service and an excellent 99/100 Speed Score where available. At addresses outside that limited fiber footprint, the up to 1000/30 Mbps cable plan is a solid option with a 79/100 Speed Score, so your address determines whether you can get Bluepeak’s best performance.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Bluepeak
Bluepeak reaches 46.6% of Rapid City, so availability is far from guaranteed and you should check your address first. Where available, it offers excellent fiber with up to 5000 Mbps both ways, though that option reaches only about 2% of census blocks, while its cable service reaches about 45% with up to 1000 Mbps download and 30 Mbps upload; the faster fiber choices are highly address-dependent, and cable may be less suitable for heavy uploads or multiple demanding users.
Available Plans
Cable
Fiber
Fiber
Best plan here: Fiber Internet (940 Mbps) — faster than 79% of all internet options in South Dakota
- Fiber Internet (940 Mbps)Fiber940 MbpsDownload79Our score$75Per month
- CenturyLink Internet 100 Mbps$55/mo for 12 months (Paperless billing or prepay required; speed may not be available in your area)DSL100 MbpsDownload28Our score$55Per month
Source: CenturyLink official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
CenturyLink is a competitive choice in Rapid City, especially through its fiber plan, which offers up to 940 Mbps both ways and a 79/100 Speed Score, above the city average. That fiber option is available to about 2% of the city, while the 100 Mbps DSL plan has a 28/100 Speed Score and offers limited performance compared with alternatives. Because availability depends on your address, check which technology CenturyLink can provide before signing up, and consider checking other providers first if only DSL is available.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About CenturyLink
CenturyLink is worth checking, especially if its fiber service reaches your address, but it is not an equally strong option throughout Rapid City. Fiber offers up to 940 Mbps both ways for $75 per month, though it is available to only about 2% of the city; elsewhere, the fallback is DSL with up to 100 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload for $55 per month, which may be adequate for basic use but could feel limited for modern households, so check for fiber or another faster provider first.
Available Plans
Copper
Copper
Copper
Copper
Fiber
Copper
Fiber
Fiber
Golden West Telecommunications
Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Price Not listed
Speed Score: Faster than 79% of all internet options in South Dakota
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
For the monthly price, Golden West’s strongest value is its fiber plan, offering up to 1000 Mbps both ways with a 79/100 Speed Score, above Rapid City’s 66 average and a competitive choice. Because only about 8% of the city has access to this fiber plan, your address may instead qualify for cable at up to 100/20 Mbps with a 28/100 score or copper plans at up to 25/3 Mbps or 10/1 Mbps, which have limited performance compared with alternatives.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Golden West Telecommunications
For the monthly price you are quoted, Golden West Telecommunications can be a strong value where its fiber plan is available, offering up to 1000 Mbps both ways across about 8% of census blocks, with cable service up to 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload in about 1%. Availability is highly address-dependent, and the fallback copper plans, offering up to 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload or up to 10 Mbps download and 1 Mbps upload, may be adequate for basic browsing but not sufficient for many modern households, so check for fiber or cable first.
Available Plans
Fiber
Cable
Copper
Copper
Best plan here: Fiber 2G — faster than 98% of all internet options in South Dakota
- Fiber 2GFiber2,000 MbpsDownload98Our score$70Per month
- Fiber 1 GigFiber940 MbpsDownload79Our score$80Per month
- Fiber 500Fiber500 MbpsDownload78Our score$50Per month
Source: Quantum Fiber official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
Fiber is a top-tier option for low-latency streaming, gaming, and multiple connected devices, with Quantum Fiber’s Fiber 2G plan offering up to 2,000 Mbps download and 1,000 Mbps upload and a 98/100 Speed Score, above the city average of 66. The plan is available to about 1% of Rapid City, so check your address to confirm access to this performance level.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Quantum Fiber
Quantum Fiber uses fiber, which is excellent for streaming, gaming, video calls, and busy households, with plans offering up to 2000 Mbps download and up to 1000 Mbps upload, including a symmetrical Fiber 500 option. Its reach is limited to 2.4% of Rapid City overall, so check your address first, especially for the Fiber 2G plan available to about 1% of the city; where available, these are excellent choices, but you may need another provider if Quantum Fiber is not offered.
Available Plans
Fiber
Fiber
Fiber
Mt. Rushmore Telephone Company
Speeds up to 1,000 Mbps
Price Not listed
Speed Score: Faster than 79% of all internet options in South Dakota
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
Mt. Rushmore Telephone Company is a competitive choice, led by its fiber service. Its fiber plan offers up to 1000 Mbps down and 1000 Mbps up, with a Speed Score of 79/100, above Rapid City’s average top speed score of 66, though it reaches only about 2% of the city. Because availability varies by address, check whether fiber is offered before considering the copper plans, which range from up to 100 Mbps down and 20 Mbps up with a 28/100 score to up to 10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up with a 1/100 score, and consider checking other providers first if fiber is unavailable.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Mt. Rushmore Telephone Company
Mt. Rushmore Telephone Company is worth checking only if your address qualifies for its fiber, since the copper alternatives may not meet the needs of modern households. Its fiber plan offers up to 1000 Mbps both ways with a good Speed Score of 79/100, but it reaches only about 2% of census blocks, while copper options top out at up to 100/20 Mbps and may be better suited to basic browsing than heavy streaming, gaming, or multiple users.
Available Plans
Fiber
Copper
Copper
Copper
Copper
Wisp West, Celerity Internet
Speeds up to 2,500 Mbps
Price Not listed
Speed Score: Faster than 99% of all internet options in South Dakota
SPEED SCORE
Among the fastest advertised speeds in the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks near the top of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
Excellent
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
Wisp West, Celerity Internet is a top-tier option where its fiber is available, offering up to 2500 Mbps download and 2500 Mbps upload with a Speed Score of 99/100. That fiber plan covers 1.5% of Rapid City, so availability depends closely on your address. Where fiber is unavailable, the Lbr fixed wireless plan offers up to 100/5 Mbps with a 28/100 score, while licensed fixed wireless reaches up to 25/4 Mbps with a 17/100 score, making it worth checking other providers for stronger performance.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Wisp West, Celerity Internet
Wisp West, Celerity Internet is a strong choice only at addresses that qualify for its fiber, but it is not a particularly dependable first pick citywide. Its fiber plan offers up to 2500 Mbps both ways with an excellent 99/100 speed score and reaches about 2% of census blocks, while the fallback fixed wireless plans offer only up to 100/5 Mbps or 25/4 Mbps, which may be limiting for modern households, so check your address for fiber or faster alternatives first.
Available Plans
Fiber
Lbr Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
City of Faith Municipal Telephone Company
Speeds up to 100 Mbps
Price Not listed
Speed Score: Slower than 72% of all internet options in South Dakota
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Excellent
Adequate
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
Up to 100 Mbps both ways can handle streaming, video calls, and everyday household use, but this fiber plan has a Speed Score of 28/100. Fiber is typically a strong technology for responsiveness, yet this plan’s rated performance is below Rapid City’s 66 average, so consider checking other providers first for higher-capacity options. Availability is address-dependent, with this plan covering 1.6% of Rapid City.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About City of Faith Municipal Telephone Company
Up to 100 Mbps both ways is enough for streaming, video calls, online gaming, and several connected devices in a typical home. This fiber plan is a strong option where available, but coverage is limited and address-dependent, so check your address before relying on City of Faith Municipal Telephone Company.
Available Plans
Fiber
Best plan here: 5G Home — faster than 75% of all internet options in South Dakota
- 5G Home$60/mo for 12 months (w/ Auto Pay & postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband; requires bundle)5G Fixed Wireless300 MbpsDownload75Our score$60Per month
Source: Verizon official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
Verizon’s 5G Home fixed wireless service is an adequate option for everyday streaming, browsing, and video calls, with up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload speeds. Its Speed Score of 75/100 is above Rapid City’s average of 66, making it a competitive choice. Because fixed wireless availability and performance depend on your exact address, verify that 5G Home reaches your home before signing up.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Verizon
Verizon’s 5G fixed wireless service offers up to 300 Mbps download and 75 Mbps upload, which is a good fit for streaming, video calls, and everyday connected-home use, though performance can vary with wireless conditions. It is available to about 37% of Rapid City, so check your address carefully, and compare any fiber or cable options first if they are available since they may provide a more consistent connection.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps — faster than 78% of all internet options in South Dakota
- T-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps$45/mo for 12 months, then $60/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless500 MbpsDownload78Our score$45Per month
- T-Mobile All-In Home Internet 500 Mbps$55/mo for 12 months, then $70/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless500 MbpsDownload78Our score$55Per month
- T-Mobile Rely Home Internet 400 Mbps$35/mo for 12 months, then $50/mo (qualifying credit, postpaid voice line, and new Internet line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid MastercardFixed Wireless400 MbpsDownload78Our score$35Per month
Source: T-Mobile official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Good
Adequate
Adequate
Good
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
T-Mobile fits households seeking an affordable fixed-wireless connection for streaming, remote work, and everyday use, with plans offering up to 500 Mbps download and 60 Mbps upload and a Speed Score of 78/100, above Rapid City’s average of 66. Fixed wireless is an adequate alternative to wired service but can vary with signal and congestion, and the 500 Mbps plans are available to about 39% of the city, so confirm your address before choosing a plan.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About T-Mobile
T-Mobile is a good fit for households that want reasonably fast home internet for streaming, work, and everyday use, with fixed wireless plans offering up to 500 Mbps download speeds and a good 78/100 Speed Score. The strongest options are address-dependent and available to about 39% of Rapid City, so check your address first, especially since fixed wireless can be less consistent than fiber or cable; T-Mobile’s coverage card shows about 60% overall, but these listed plans are the options to evaluate for your home.
Available Plans
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Licensed Fixed Wireless
Best plan here: Residential Max 400 Mbps — faster than 78% of all internet options in South Dakota
- Residential Max 400 MbpsSatellite400 MbpsDownload78Our score$130Per month
- Residential 200 MbpsSatellite200 MbpsDownload55Our score$85Per month
- Residential 100 MbpsSatellite100 MbpsDownload28Our score$55Per month
Source: Starlink official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Mid-pack advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks around the middle of every option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Adequate
Poor
Poor
Adequate
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
Starlink’s satellite connection offers broad reach and can handle everyday browsing, streaming, and work, but its higher latency may be noticeable for gaming and real-time video calls. The Residential Max plan provides up to 400 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload with a 78/100 Speed Score, above Rapid City’s 66 average, making it a competitive option for satellite internet. It is available to 100.0% of the city, while the 200 Mbps and 100 Mbps plans score 55/100 and 28/100 respectively, so checking other available technologies at your address is worthwhile if latency-sensitive performance matters.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Starlink
Starlink uses satellite internet, which reaches nearly any home and offers up to 400 Mbps download and 40 Mbps upload on its fastest Residential Max plan, making it a practical option for streaming, video calls, and many households, though satellite latency can affect gaming and other real-time activities. Its coverage is 100.0% of Rapid City, and the 400 Mbps plan has a good 78/100 Speed Score, while the 200 Mbps and 100 Mbps plans are below average, so check for fiber or cable at your address first if you need the most responsive connection.
Available Plans
Ngso Satellite
Best plan here: Fusion — slower than 72% of all internet options in South Dakota
- Fusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/moSatellite100 MbpsDownload28Our score$94.99Per month
- Select$49.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $74.99/moSatellite50 MbpsDownload25Our score$49.99Per month
- Lite$39.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $49.99/moSatellite25 MbpsDownload17Our score$39.99Per month
Source: HughesNet official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
At $94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/mo, HughesNet Fusion buys up to 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps upload, but its 28/100 Speed Score is below Rapid City’s average of 66. Satellite service can have higher latency and more limited real-world performance than other technologies, so check what is available at your specific address before choosing, even though Fusion shows 100.0% availability across the city.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About HughesNet
At $39.99 to $94.99 per month for the first 12 months, HughesNet offers up to 25 to 100 Mbps download and 3 to 5 Mbps upload, but satellite service has below-average performance and may not be the best value for modern streaming, gaming, or work needs. All three plans are available to 100.0% of Rapid City, so HughesNet can be a dependable fallback, but check your address for faster fiber, cable, or other options first.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Best plan here: Viasat Essentials — slower than 73% of all internet options in South Dakota
- Viasat EssentialsSatellite55 MbpsDownload27Our score$69.99Per month
- Viasat UnleashedSatellite34 MbpsDownload24Our score$99.99Per month
Source: Viasat Inc official site · checked monthly · availability varies by address
SPEED SCORE
Below-average advertised speed for the state
This plan’s advertised maximum download ranks below most options filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed; faster plans are usually listed here.
The Speed Score is the percentile of this plan’s maximum advertised download speed among every internet option filed with the FCC in this state. It is not a measured speed test: actual throughput varies by address, wiring and time of day. Enter your full address to see which plans are serviceable at your home.
EST. CAPABILITIES
Poor
Poor
Poor
Poor
THE TAKEAWAY
Our recommendation for Rapid City
Viasat is a limited-performance option compared with alternatives in Rapid City, with a headline Speed Score of 27/100 versus the city average of 66. Its Viasat Essentials plan offers up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99 per month, with availability to 100% of the city, but satellite service can have higher latency and may struggle with demanding online activities. Address availability is still worth confirming, and shoppers should check what other technologies are offered at their specific address first.
Speeds and reach below are what the provider files with the FCC for each technology tier, by census block. The plans it actually sells here, with their own speeds and prices, are under Pricing & Plans; the two can differ.
About Viasat Inc
Viasat Inc is a fallback option rather than a top choice, since its satellite plans offer below-average performance and higher latency for modern needs. Viasat Essentials is the better value, with up to 55 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $69.99 per month, while Viasat Unleashed offers up to 34 Mbps download and 4 Mbps upload for $99.99 per month; both are available to 100% of Rapid City, but you should check for faster fiber or cable service at your address first.
Available Plans
Gso Satellite
Gso Satellite
Cheapest and Fastest Internet Plans in Rapid City
All 17 product lines from the 7 providers with published pricing here, showing the price you would be quoted today and what it reverts to.
Showing 10 of 17 plans
- StarlinkResidential Max 400 Mbps400 MbpsDownload78Our score$130Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- StarlinkResidential 200 Mbps200 MbpsDownload55Our score$85Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- T-MobileT-Mobile Rely Home Internet 400 Mbps$35/mo for 12 months, then $50/mo (qualifying credit, postpaid voice line, and new Internet line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid Mastercard400 MbpsDownload78Our score$35$50Per month~39.4%CoverageFixed Wireless
- T-MobileT-Mobile Amplified Home Internet 500 Mbps$45/mo for 12 months, then $60/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid Mastercard500 MbpsDownload78Our score$45$60Per month~39.4%CoverageFixed Wireless
- T-MobileT-Mobile All-In Home Internet 500 Mbps$55/mo for 12 months, then $70/mo (new Internet line, qualifying credit, postpaid voice line required; requires bundle) · $200 virtual prepaid Mastercard500 MbpsDownload78Our score$55$70Per month~39.4%CoverageFixed Wireless
- StarlinkResidential 100 Mbps100 MbpsDownload28Our score$55Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- HughesNetFusion$94.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $119.99/mo100 MbpsDownload28Our score$94.99$119.99Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- Verizon5G Home$60/mo for 12 months (w/ Auto Pay & postpaid mobile unlimited plan that includes 5G Ultra Wideband; requires bundle)300 MbpsDownload75Our score$60Per month~37.2%Coverage5G Fixed Wireless
- Viasat IncViasat Essentials55 MbpsDownload27Our score$69.99Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
- HughesNetSelect$49.99/mo for the first 12 months, then $74.99/mo50 MbpsDownload25Our score$49.99$74.99Per month~100%CoverageSatellite
Prices are the current promotional rate where one is advertised. Sourced monthly from each provider’s own site; availability varies by address.
Compare Rapid City providers head-to-head
See how Rapid City’s providers stack up against each other — speed, coverage, price, and who wins block by block.
Best Fit by Household Type in Rapid City
Best Fit
Students & Roommates
Choose Midco where available for shared streaming, gaming, and coursework.
Midco’s 1,000 Mbps cable tier reaches about 59% of 57701 and supports multiple simultaneous users.
Check first: Confirm the exact address because Midco’s 5,000 Mbps fiber reaches only about 7% citywide.
Best Fit
Remote Workers
Choose Midco fiber where available; otherwise check CenturyLink’s fastest available tier.
Midco fiber offers 5,000/5,000 Mbps where available, while CenturyLink’s 60 Mbps DSL reaches about 19%.
Check first: Fiber availability is address-specific and reaches only about 7% for Midco.
Best Fit
Gamers & Streamers
Choose Midco’s fastest available tier, especially in North Rapid or Robbinsdale.
Midco 2,000 Mbps cable reaches about 11% citywide, while its 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 7%.
Check first: The fastest Midco fiber tier is not citywide; verify availability before choosing equipment.
Best Fit
Rural & Edge-of-City Homes
Use Starlink where wired providers do not reach; it offers up to 400 Mbps everywhere.
Starlink’s Residential Max 400 Mbps plan reaches every address, providing a broad fallback for harder-to-serve homes.
Check first: Compare satellite performance with available wired service at the exact address.
Internet Providers by ZIP Code in Rapid City
North Rapid 57701
Midco is currently the strongest option for Fast cable or limited fiber.
Midco covers about 59% with 1,000 Mbps cable, while 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 10%.
Canyon Lake 57702
Midco is currently the strongest option for High-speed cable.
Midco reaches about 42% with 1,000 Mbps cable and about 11% with 2,000 Mbps cable.
Robbinsdale 57703
Midco is currently the strongest option for Fast cable and fiber.
Midco reaches about 44% with 1,000 Mbps cable and about 12% with 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber.
ZIP 57709
Midco is currently the strongest option for Broad high-speed availability.
Midco reaches about 46% with 1,000 Mbps cable, while Bluepeak fiber reaches about 14%.
Rapid City Internet FAQs
Who is the best internet provider in Rapid City, SD?
Midco is the best overall provider, with 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber reaching about 7% of Rapid City. That fastest tier is available only where Midco fiber reaches, so check the address; Midco’s broader footprint across technologies is about 63%.
What is the fastest internet in Rapid City, SD?
Midco’s 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber is the fastest qualifying internet tier, reaching about 7% of Rapid City. It is the fastest where available, while Midco’s 2,000 Mbps cable reaches about 11%, so address-level eligibility determines which top option you can order.
Which internet provider covers the most of Rapid City, SD?
CenturyLink covers the most of Rapid City, reaching about 75% of the city, the widest footprint of any wired or fixed-wireless provider. Satellite from Starlink and HughesNet reaches every address but with higher latency.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Rapid City, SD?
T-Mobile Rely Home Internet costs $35/mo for 400 Mbps for 12 months, with a qualifying credit, postpaid wireless line, and new Internet line, and reaches about 39% of Rapid City. The promotional rate then becomes $50/mo, so confirm eligibility and address availability.
Can I get fiber internet in Rapid City?
Yes, Midco’s 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 7% of Rapid City, the largest listed fiber tier by city coverage. Other fiber options include Golden West’s 1,000/1,000 Mbps at about 8% and Quantum Fiber’s 1,000 Mbps at about 2%, all requiring address verification.
What internet speed do I need in Rapid City?
A 100 Mbps plan can suit light streaming, browsing, and remote work, while 500 Mbps or more better supports multiple users. Rapid City options include CenturyLink’s 100 Mbps plan reaching about 2%, T-Mobile’s 400 Mbps plan reaching about 39%, and Midco’s faster tiers where available.
What internet is available in North Rapid?
Midco reaches about 59% of ZIP 57701 with 1,000 Mbps cable, while its 5,000/5,000 Mbps fiber reaches about 10%. North Rapid households should check the exact address because the ZIP’s Midco cable and fiber tiers have separate coverage footprints.
How We Analyze Internet in Rapid City
FCC Broadband Data
We use the FCC National Broadband Map, updated twice a year with provider-reported coverage at the census block level.
Speed Score
A state-wide percentile of each plan’s maximum advertised download speed against every option filed with the FCC in the state, all technologies on one scale. It is not a measured speed test.
Coverage Calculation
Provider coverage shows what percentage of census blocks in Rapid City report service availability from each provider.
Data Coverage for Rapid City
How We Calculate Speed Score
The Speed Score is a state-wide percentile from 0 to 100. It answers one question: of every internet option filed with the FCC in this state, across every technology, what share is slower than this plan’s maximum advertised download speed?
What goes in:
- The plan’s maximum advertised download speed, as the provider files it with the FCC and lists it for sale.
- Every other serviceable option in the state from the FCC Broadband Data Collection, counted by the census blocks it reaches.
Speed Score = share of the state’s filed options with a lower advertised download speed
A score of 85 means this plan’s advertised speed beats 85% of the options filed in the state. Fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless and satellite are all on the same scale, so a 1,000 Mbps plan scores the same whoever sells it.
What it is not: a measured speed test. It does not include latency, upload speed, reliability or congestion. Real throughput at an address varies with wiring, equipment and time of day.
How providers are ordered on this page: each provider’s tier scores are averaged across the census blocks it serves, then multiplied by the share of the city it reaches. Wired providers rank ahead of wireless-only ones, and satellite last, because their filings describe a signal footprint rather than a plant. The same rule sets the title and the 30-second verdict.
Data source: FCC National Broadband Map (Broadband Data Collection), republished roughly twice a year; provider plan lists checked monthly.
How We Calculate Capabilities
Estimated Capabilities predict how well each internet plan supports common household activities based on speed requirements and connection type.
Rating Scale:
- Excellent – Optimal performance, handles peak usage easily
- Good – Reliable performance with minimal issues
- Fair – Functional but may experience slowdowns during heavy use
- Poor – Not recommended; expect frequent buffering or lag
How We Rate Each Category:
Streaming
Based on download speed. 4K streaming requires 25+ Mbps per stream; HD requires 5+ Mbps. We account for multiple simultaneous streams.
Multi-device
Evaluates total bandwidth capacity divided by typical household device count (phones, tablets, smart TVs, computers). Fiber and cable handle many devices better than DSL or satellite.
Gaming
Considers both upload speed (for sending game data) and latency (ping time). Fiber and cable excel here; satellite connections struggle due to inherent signal delay.
Whole Home
Assesses whether the connection can reliably serve an entire household during peak evening hours. Factors in technology type (shared vs. dedicated bandwidth) and total speed capacity.
Note: Actual performance depends on your specific location, network congestion, and equipment quality.