Wisconsin is a popular summer getaway for many Americans. The population of Door County alone increases tenfold during the summer tourist season. With lakes everywhere, beautiful sandstone formations, and 50 state parks, there’s plenty to draw in visitors looking for a place to unwind.

But the Badger State also has more than 5.8 million residents who live, work and play there year-round. And, like anyone these days, those Wisonsinites need fast home internet to keep up with their day-to-day activities.

While Wisconsin may not have as many high-speed internet offerings as some more heavily populated states, there are still plenty of options for home Wi-Fi. Read on to learn about the top internet service providers in Wisconsin.

Best internet providers in Wisconsin

Wisconsinites can choose from a number of high-speed internet providers and plans. AT&T and Frontier offer some of the fastest multigigabit fiber plans in the Badger State, with symmetrical upload and download speeds of up to 5 GB. Of the two, AT&T is more widely available. Wisconsin is also home to several cable and fixed wireless internet providers, along with popular satellite internet providers like Hughesnet and Starlink.

Here’s an overview of top internet providers available in various parts of Wisconsin.

Internet technology in Wisconsin

Nothing affects your home Wi-Fi performance like the type of internet connection you have, and you may have a few choices depending on where you live in Wisconsin. Fiber internet offers the best performance overall, with symmetrical upload and download speeds and stability to connect 20 or more devices. Cable internet and 5G fixed wireless , meanwhile, can offer gigabit connectivity but much slower upload speeds and performance variability.

If these options aren’t available in your area, you may need to check out satellite internet providers . Hughesnet, Viasat and Starlink are available throughout Wisconsin, but you’ll need to install a satellite dish to get service.

Top Wisconsin cities

Options for Wisconsin internet providers vary throughout the state. For instance, the list of internet providers in Madison and Milwaukee is similar, but you may find a different set of choices in Green Bay or Kenosha. Always be sure to search for home Wi-Fi plans in your area to compare plans and prices available near you.

Cheap internet options in Wisconsin

Home internet service doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg in Wisconsin — even if you want a fast connection for streaming on multiple devices. You can get 300 Mbps download speeds from Spectrum or TDS Telecom for under $40/mo., for instance. Spectrum, T-Mobile, Verizon and AT&T also offer big discounts when you bundle services . There are plenty of ways to keep your home Wi-Fi affordable .

Fast internet options in Wisconsin

Need lightning-fast , lag-free internet for online gaming or other high-demand activities? Wisconsin has that, too. Providers like AT&T, EarthLink and Frontier offer matching upload/download speeds of up to 5 GB in the Badger State, and several other providers have gigabit connections.

Before you opt for the fastest internet plan, it’s a good idea to confirm your bandwidth needs. Check out our internet speed guide to learn more.

Rural internet options in Wisconsin

Wisconsin residents outside of major urban areas may not have as many options for home internet. Although fiber is available in some smaller towns, satellite is typically the best internet option for rural customers . Although download speeds top out much slower than cable or fiber, satellite can reach many areas where wired connections haven’t been established. Pricing tends to be more expensive for what you get.

Wisconsin internet FAQs

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Hannah Whatley is an editor who enjoys collaborating with writers to offer readers the most relevant, accurate, and up-to-date information for their home purchases. She has previously edited for The Motley Fool, The Modest Wallet, Grammarly, JoinCake.com and SaveOnEnergy.com, gaining expertise in several industries. Hannah has a B.A. in English from Thomas Edison State University. When she isn’t editing, she enjoys studying linguistics and languages.