Best Internet Providers in Bend, OR (2024)

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Bend is a smaller city in central Oregon, surrounded by the beauty of the great outdoors and right on the Deschutes River. It’s growing quickly, but in a smaller area, it can be difficult to find top options for high-speed home internet.

However, locals do have options. Bend internet providers offer cable, satellite, fixed wireless and even fiber internet, with prices ranging from $45/mo. to $249.99/mo. Here, we’ll compare top internet provider options in Bend by prices, speeds, features and more to help you make the right choice for your home Wi-Fi.

Best internet providers in Bend, OR

TDS Telecom: Best cable internet
CenturyLink: Best fiber internet
Viasat: Best satellite internet
T-Mobile Home Internet: Best fixed wireless internet

Bend, OR internet comparison

Bend may not have some of the biggest national names for home Wi-Fi, but there are several options for residents to choose from. TDS Telecom, CenturyLink, Viasat, T-Mobile and several other providers offer internet plans —some as fast as 1 GB. Here’s an overview of our top picks for internet providers in Bend.

Provider	Starting price range*	Download speed range	Connection type
TDS Telecom	$45–$80/mo.	300–1,000 Mbps	Cable
CenturyLink	$55–$75/mo.	100–940 Mbps	DSL, Fiber
Viasat	$49.99–$249.99/mo.	25–150 Mbps	Satellite
T-Mobile Home Internet	$60/mo.	72–245 Mbps	Fixed wireless

Methodology

We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.

How to choose a provider in Bend, OR

With such a range of download speeds and plan prices, how do you choose the right internet provider in Bend? Overall, it comes down to a few important factors:

Matching speed to browsing needs: Before you can decide on the speed and bandwidth you require, you’ll need to consider how everyone in your household uses the internet —from the number of connected devices to what you do online. For basic activities like web browsing and email, you can easily get by with a plan of less than 500 Mbps. However, if you play a lot of online games or stream in 4K on several devices, you may need to increase your speed and consider fiber internet.
Factoring all costs into your budget: Before you sign up for an internet plan, make sure to check for extra charges that could inflate your monthly price. Many Bend internet providers charge extra for equipment or installation, and you may have to pay taxes on top of your monthly rate.
Ways to add value: You can often find a way to save on your total costs by bundling internet with other services like cable or cell phone plans. Some providers even offer extra perks like free streaming subscriptions or gift cards to sweeten the deal.

Bend internet provider reviews

TDS Telecom – Best cable internet

TDS Telecom, formerly Bend Broadband, is one of the most popular local internet providers in the region. Although it offers fiber in some parts of the state, TDS currently only offers cable service in Bend. Cable plans have download speeds of up to 1 GB in some areas, with no data caps and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Like other cable providers, TDS offers savings if you bundle cable TV and internet services.

CenturyLink – Best fiber internet

CenturyLink offers gigabit fiber service in some parts of Bend, and where fiber is unavailable, customers can connect to CenturyLink’s DSL service. Fiber is much faster, with synchronous upload and download speeds, but DSL is a good option for rural areas. All plans are contract-free and feature unlimited data. CenturyLink charges equipment rental fees, but you’re allowed to provide your own devices if you’d rather avoid these charges.

Overall score: 3.5 out of 5.

Viasat –Best satellite internet

Viasat is another good option for rural internet service in and around Bend, with plans starting at $49.99/mo. for basic internet. Viasat’s top speeds of 150 Mbps are faster than many other satellite providers, though still slower than cable, fiber or fixed wireless options in Bend. Watch out for price increases after the first three months.

Overall score: 2.1 out of 5.

Read our full Viasat review.

T-Mobile Home Internet – Best fixed wireless internet

T-Mobile’s 5G network is the largest in the country, and it has one of the best approval ratings for home fixed wireless internet. Cellular customers are eligible for steep savings with bundles, and T-Mobile offers other deals on streaming services and retail discounts. You’ll pay a one-time setup fee of $35, but all other costs are included in the advertised monthly price.

Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.

Read our full T-Mobile review.

Cheap internet in Bend, OR

If you’re looking for an internet plan that doesn’t break the bank, internet service providers in Bend have several options. T-Mobile cell phone customers get an especially good deal, with 5G internet for as low as $40/mo. TDS and Viasat also offer affordable plans for $45/mo. and $49.99/mo. respectively. None of these plans feature gigabit speeds, but they’ll cover basic home internet needs for many households.

Plan	Price*	Download speed	Connection type
T-Mobile Home Internet	$40/mo.**	72–245 Mbps	Fixed wireless
TDS Telecom	$45/mo.	300 Mbps	Cable
Viasat	$49.99/mo.	25 Mbps	Satellite

Fastest internet options in Bend, OR

Plans from internet service providers in Bend haven’t quite caught up to download speeds from providers in larger cities, but you’ve still got high-speed options to choose from. TDS offers gigabit cable plans, and CenturyLink’s fiber plan has synchronous 940 Mbps upload and download speeds. Where those aren’t available, T-Mobile’s 5G internet offers download speeds of up to 245 Mbps.

Plan	Price*	Download speed	Connection type
TDS Telecom	$80/mo.	Up to 1,000 Mbps	Cable
CenturyLink	$75/mo.	Up to 940 Mbps	Fiber
T-Mobile Home Internet	$60/mo.	Up to 245 Mbps	Fixed wireless

Bend, Oregon internet technology

Understanding the different types of internet technology is another important aspect of choosing an internet plan. Internet providers in Bend offer several types of connections, each of which has pros and cons.

Fiber internet: When it comes to high-speed internet, fiber-optic cables lead the way. Fiber’s upload speeds match its download speeds, making it ideal for online gaming, video meetings, or other activities where lag can be an issue. However, fiber isn’t widely available in smaller markets like Bend.
Cable: More Bend residents can access cable connections than fiber, and cable still offers fast download speeds of 1 GB or more. Its upload speeds are much slower than fiber, however, and cable struggles to keep up when more than 20 devices are connected.
Fixed wireless: 5G technology has raised the bar for fixed wireless connections, which now compete with cable in terms of speed and reliability. They’re not yet as widely available as cable, though, and service can lag during times of high demand.
Satellite: Residents on the outskirts of Bend may not have access to fiber or cable plans, but satellite providers like Viasat offer connections nearly everywhere. Download speeds are much slower than these connection types, and you’ll need to install a satellite dish on your property.
DSL: Like satellite, this phone-line-based internet technology offers much slower connection speeds but is often available in areas cable or fiber can’t reach. It’s slowly phasing out, but Bend internet providers like CenturyLink still offer DSL.

Bend, OR internet FAQs

Does Starlink work in Bend, Oregon?

Starlink is available throughout Bend, and Starlink offers some of the faster connection speeds in the area. However, this newer satellite provider is more expensive than other more established options, with high upfront equipment costs.

What’s the fastest internet speed in Bend, Oregon?

Internet speeds in Bend top out at 1 GB, with options from TDS Telecom and CenturyLink. Fiber plans from CenturyLink offer synchronous upload and download speeds for a lag-free browsing and streaming experience.

What is the best internet provider in Oregon?

Choosing the best internet provider comes down to what’s available in your area, along with your budget and speed preferences. In Bend, you can compare options for fiber, cable and more.

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Luke DaughertyAllconnect.com

Luke Daugherty is a freelance writer, editor, and former operations manager. His work covers a wide range of topics, including streaming and internet tech, green energy, and personal finance. His work, bylined and ghostwritten, has appeared in The Balance, CNET, CIO Magazine, Entrepreneur, and more.

Hannah WhatleyAllconnect.com

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.