CNET has named T-Mobile Home Internet as the best overall choice for rural households in 2025, citing its wide availability and affordable plans starting at $50 a month. The review highlights challenges in rural connectivity, where 63% of Americans report paying higher prices for unreliable service, and recommends alternatives like Ziply Fiber and Starlink for areas lacking wired options.
Accessing reliable internet remains a significant challenge in rural America due to low population density and limited infrastructure, leaving many residents short of the FCC's broadband benchmark of 100Mbps download and 20Mbps upload speeds. According to a CNET survey, 63% of Americans have noticed paying more for subpar connectivity.
T-Mobile Home Internet tops CNET's list with coverage for over 60% of US households, offering speeds from 133 to 415Mbps, unlimited data, free equipment, and no contracts. Plans start at $50 monthly, with perks like mobile bundle discounts enhancing its value, though speeds may vary and home users are deprioritized over mobile traffic.
For wired alternatives, CenturyLink provides DSL in 16 states with speeds of 30 to 100Mbps for $55 a month, including unlimited data but potential variability below broadband levels. Kinetic by Windstream serves 18 states with fast DSL up to FCC standards and fiber options reaching 1,000Mbps where available, starting at similar prices without data caps.
Rise Broadband offers fixed wireless in 16 states, with speeds up to 250Mbps and unlimited data options for around $50, outperforming satellite in latency for gaming. Mediacom's cable service covers 22 states, starting at $15 for low-income programs and up to 1,000Mbps for $65, though with data caps on lower tiers.
Ziply Fiber excels in the Northwest with symmetrical speeds up to 50Gbps in select rural areas, entry plans at $30 for 300Mbps and no contracts. For remote spots, Starlink provides satellite internet as a reliable fallback.
CNET's selections prioritize availability, performance, pricing, and customer satisfaction, noting rural ISPs often cost more per Mbps than urban ones. Fiber like Ziply offers the fastest rural speeds, while 5G from T-Mobile shows promise for expansion.