Minnesota Internet Guide

This page has the information you need to find internet service in the state of Minnesota. Whether it’s finding an internet service provider, figuring out where you can get 3G coverage, how to get an internet connection at the top colleges or finding free wi-fi hotspots, we got you covered below.

Find the Best Internet Service Provider in Your Area of Minnesota

Local Residential Internet Service Providers

Below you’ll find 3 ISPs that are local to Minnesota that provide internet connections to residential areas.

  • Midcontinent Communications: Midcontinent Communications internet packages vary on the location. They have MidcoNet Limited for $30.95 with download speed of up to 1 Mbps. They also have MidcoNet Xstream Wideband 1.0 for $44.95 with download speed of up to 30 Mbps, or MidcoNet Xstream Wideband 2.0 for $64.95 with download speed of up to 50 Mbps. Their extreme package is the MidcoNet Xstream Wideband 3.0 for $104.95 with download speed of up to 100 Mbps. To know the available packages in your area, you can call them at 800.888.1300.
  • West Central Telephone Association: WCTA offers high speed internet with upload speeds set to work up to 1 Mbps. The download speeds are set to work up to the bandwidth that’s been designated with the package. Proces are not stated online so you can call WCTA for more details at 800-945-2163.
  • Paul Bunyan: Paul Bunyan’s internet plans vary. They have an Up to 10 Mbps download speed for only $44.95/month. They have an up to 15 Mbps for $54.95/month, up up to 20 Mbps for $64.95/month, and up to 25 Mbps for $74.95/month. Call them for more information at 888-586-3100.

Local Business Internet Service Providers

The following 3 ISPs are also local to Minnesota, but focus on providing internet primarily to businesses.

  • Eventis: You can set up a dedicated internet plan with Eventis as their packages come with a variety of access speeds: 1.5 Mbps to 1 Gbps. Their internet network is built exclusively for business so you can surely guarantee on maximizing the internet to increase your rich. To request a quotation, you can contact them at 877.780.6123.
  • Arvig: Arvig has the high speed your business needs as they have a reliable connection. Fast package for email and surfing, Faster package for emailing large files, shopping, photos & music. Fastest packages for movies, games, email, shopping, photos & music. The last is the Lightning package for ulti-taskers, gamers, HD movies, shopping,  photos & music, and large files. You choose the high-speed Internet plan. Free installation is available. Call 866-937-4227 to select the best Internet plan for your business use.
  • NU-Telecom: NU-Telecom’s high-speed Internet service is fast and reliable to help support a productive, efficient, and growing business.  Internet connection is constant and there’s no need to dial-up. The prices are not stated on the website but you can call them to get a price quotation. Dial 877-664-0283.

Minnesota Internet Connections and Coverage

In this section we go over the average internet speeds in Minnesota, as well as the 3G coverage from the 3 largest mobile internet service providers.

In regards to speed, Minnesota has an average of 15.02 Mbps, which is bigger than the national average of 12.55 Mbps.

The 5 cities with fastest internet speed in Minnesota are:

  • Saint Michael – 24.77 Mbps
  • Farmington – 23.40 Mbps
  • Winona – 22.56 Mbps
  • Wadena – 22.17 Mbps
  • Perham – 22.05 Mbps

The 5 fastest internet service providers in Minnesota are:

  • Eventis Telecom – 28.89 Mbps
  • Charter Communications – 22.13 Mbps
  • Comcast – 19.35 Mbps
  • Earthlink – 17.62 Mbps
  • AT&T – 17.84 Mbps

Keep in mind that these numbers can change at any time. For the most current information, check out the Minnesota page at NetIndex.com.

Mobile 3G Internet Coverage for Minnesota

Here we explain what you can expect in terms of 3G coverage for your tablet, smart phone or laptop while on the go.

Minnesota’s terrain in the northern to northeastern area is filled with lakes, rivers, and forests. You’ll find that in these areas reliable coverage is harder to come by. Now here’s a look at what the coverage looks like from the 3 top mobile providers in Minnesota.

Clear: Clear’s mobile coverage for 3G internet is present in the major areas such as Minneapolis, St. Paul, Prairie, Mankato, Rochester, Alexandria and others.

AT&T: AT&T has coverage in Minnesota except in some areas north.

Verizon: Going to the border in Canada (at the north to northeast), Verizon’s mobile coverage seems to be absent in these areas due to its geography.

Please keep in mind that coverage can change at any time. We encourage you to visit the provider’s coverage map (usually located at their main website) to see what the current coverage looks like, and whether or not it’ll meet your needs before buying.

Top 5 Colleges in Minnesota & Their Internet Access

Below is an overview of the top 5 colleges in the state of Minnesota, what internet access they provide students and how to get it.

St. Cloud State University

St. Cloud State University is virtually 100 percent wireless. The HuskyNet Wireless network covers every building on campus, including residence halls. All you need is a valid HuskyNetID and a wireless-enabled laptop or hand-held device, and you can access the Internet and SCSU’s network from almost anywhere on campus. HuskyNet Secure: The HuskyNet Secure wireless network uses WPA encryption to keep your information safe. Short-term guests can gain temporary access to the Internet via SCSU’s wireless network. Guests must have an employee or student of SCSU sponsor their connection.

Minnesota State University – Mankato

MavNet is the campus-wide Wi-Fi wireless network. It offers Internet connectivity to students, faculty, and staff with laptops, handheld computers, and other wireless devices. MavNet is available in nearly all study areas, lounges, food facilities, general-purpose classrooms, labs, auditoriums and outdoor gathering areas. University employees, currently enrolled students and visitors (by special permission) can use E-account credentials to access the wireless network.

University of Minnesota

UofM Secure is the recommended wireless newtowk as this is the wireless security standard that provides strong data security and network access control. Otherwise, UofM (Unsecured) is the secondary network.

University of St. Thomas

Wireless access is available in all of the Libraries and many other locations on campus.  Anyone who has an active UST computing account can connect to the wireless network, once they have registered with their username and password.  Non-affiliated guest users can also access our wireless network, with some limited privileges. The wireless network name begins with “UST-“. UST affiliated users should fill in their username and password.  Guests should click the “Guest Access button.

Carleton College

Wireless access to the Carleton network is widely available across campus. It is available to students, faculty, staff and guests. Carleton faculty, students and staff should use the “eduroam” wireless network.  Carleton guests who use “eduroam” wireless at their own institution will be automatically connected to “eduroam” while using the college wireless. Carleton guests who do NOT use “eduroam” wireless at their own institution should use the wireless network named “Carleton”.

Free Internet Access Spots in Minnesota

You can get free internet WiFi access in restaurants, coffee shops, hotels, and libraries in Minnesota. Other places include:

  • Old Chicago in Apple Valley
  • Beaver Trails Campground and RV Park in Austin
  • The Pine Cone in Marcell
  • Muddsuckers in Minneapolis
  • Pillsbury Plaza in Pillager
  • Perkins in Worthington

It should be noted that this is far from a complete list of free wi-fi hotspots in Minnesota. This is merely a list to give you ideas for where to look for free internet access in Minnesota.