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What is the best internet provider in Bend?
The band may lack diversity in Internet providers, but after careful research, our CNET experts concluded that TDS Broadband stands out as the best choice in BendOregon. It offers the fastest speeds in the area, along with reliable service and a range of plans to suit different needs.
If your need for speed is a little more moderate, T-Mobile Home Internet is a solid backup choice, thanks to its affordability. Plans that offer speeds up to 245 Mbps start at $50 per month. If no other options are available, Starlink and CenturyLink provide a good selection of backups, although their speeds and prices can be on the higher side.
Best Internet in Bend, Oregon for 2024
Comparing internet providers
| Provider | Internet technology | Monthly price range | Speed range | Monthly equipment costs | Data capacity | Contract | CNET rating rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink Read the full review |
DSL | $55 | Up to 140 Mbps | $15 (optional) | None | None | 6.7 |
| Starlink Read the full review |
Satellite | $120 | 25-220Mbps | $349 up front | None | None | N/A |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
Fixed wireless | $50-$70 ($35-$50 with eligible mobile plans) | 72-245Mbps | None | None | None | 7.4 |
| TDS (Band Broadband) | cable | $30 | 1,000Mbps | $12 (optional) | None | None | N/A |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Other available internet providers in Bend
- Fixed wireless: A few regional fixed wireless networks in Bend are worth considering. Blue Mountain Networks, BringTime and Webformik they all work in the area, but none of them are great options, and you’ll need to fill out a form to see what plans are available at your address. US Cellular is a national fixed wireless provider available almost everywhere in Bend, but the company doesn’t say what speeds you can expect.
- Satellite Internet: In addition to Starlink, HughesNet and Viasat offer satellite internet service in Bend. You won’t have to pay $349 upfront to buy a satellite dish, but both require a two-year contract, charge a monthly equipment fee and offer slower speeds than Starlink.
Cheap internet options in Bend
There are a few cheap internet options in Bend, but some come with slow speeds or data caps that aren’t good for much other than checking email or browsing the web. T-Mobile Home Internet is your best bet for cheap internet in Bend starting at $50 per month.
What is the cheapest internet plan in Bend?
| Provider | Initial price | Maximum download speed | Monthly equipment fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| BringTime | $44 | 3Mbps | None |
| TDS (Band Broadband) | $30 ($64 after one year) | 300Mbps | $12 (optional) |
| HughesNet Select Read the full review |
$50 | 50Mbps | $15 |
| HughesNet Elite Read the full review |
$55 | 100Mbps | $15 |
| T-Mobile Home Internet Read the full review |
$50 ($35 with eligible mobile plans) | 245Mbps | None |
| CenturyLink Read the full review |
$55 | Up to 140 Mbps | $15 (optional) |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
How to find online offers and promotions in Bend
The best online offers and the best promotions in Bend depend on the discounts available at that time. Most offers are short-lived, but we often look for the latest offers.
Band Internet providers like T-Mobile Home Internet may offer lower introductory rates or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including CenturyLink, Starlink and US Cellular, have the same standard rates year-round.
For a more extensive list of promotions, see our guide at the best internet deals.
Fastest internet plans in Bend, Oregon
Overall, internet in Bend is extremely slow. According to the FCC, only 12% of residents have access to 250/25 Mbps speeds, compared to 86% of Oregon and 88% of the US. TDS is the fastest option, but like all cable internet plans, its upload speeds are much slower than downloads.
Provider
Initial price
Maximum download speed
Maximum loading speed
Data capacity
Connection type
TDS (Band Broadband)
$30
1,000Mbps
20Mbps
None
cable
Quantum Fiber
$75
940Mbps
940Mbps
None
Fibers
| Provider | Initial price | Maximum download speed | Maximum loading speed | Data capacity | Connection type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TDS (Band Broadband) | $30 | 1,000Mbps | 20Mbps | None | cable |
| Quantum Fiber | $75 | 940Mbps | 940Mbps | None | Fibers |
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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
What is a good internet speed?
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you’re looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, video streaming or gaming, you’ll have a better experience with a stronger connection. Here’s an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for different apps, according to the FCC. Keep in mind that these are just guidelines — and that Internet speed, service, and performance will vary by connection type, provider, and address.
For more information, see our guide at how much internet speed do you really need?.
- 0 to 5 Mbps lets you tackle the basics – browsing the web, sending and receiving email, streaming low-quality video.
- 5 to 40 Mbps allows you to stream high-quality video and video conferencing.
- 40 to 100 Mbps should give one person enough bandwidth to meet the demands of modern telecommuting, video streaming, and online gaming.
- 100 to 500 Mbps allows one to two people to simultaneously engage in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming, and online gaming.
- 500 to 1000 Mbps allows three or more people to engage in high-bandwidth activities such as video conferencing, streaming and online gaming, all at the same time.
How CNET Picked the Best Internet Providers in Bend
Internet providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest ones smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen toolsit is impractical to personally test every internet service provider in a given city. So what is our approach? For starters, we use a proprietary pricing, availability, and speed database that is drawn from our historical ISP data, partner data, and mapping information from FCC.gov.
This guide uses an in-house artificial intelligence tool called RAMP, which is trained on our own writing and uses our database to generate content about specific internet providers that our writers can use to determine and present our choices for a given guide. Check it out CNET’s AI policy for more information on how our teams use (and don’t use) AI tools.
Because our database is not exhaustive, we use the FCC’s website to verify the primary data ourselves and ensure that we are considering every ISP that provides service in a particular area. Plans and prices also vary by location, so we enter local addresses into provider websites to find specific options available to residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and JD Power, to gauge how satisfied customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent change; all information provided is correct at the time of our fact checking prior to publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
- Does the provider offer access to reasonably high internet speeds?
- Are customers getting decent value for what they are paying for?
- Are customers satisfied with their service?
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers that come closest to saying yes to all three are the ones we recommend. When it comes to choosing the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, although we also take into account things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively simple. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and also consider actual speed data from sources such as Ookla and The FCC reports. (Disclosure: Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more detail, you can visit our how we test ISPs page.
What’s the final word on internet providers in Bend?
There’s a lot to love about living in Bend, but good internet isn’t one of them. TDS (formerly Bend Broadband) is by default the best option – it’s the only wired internet service widely available in the city. While its speeds are fast enough for most homes, TDS significantly increases prices after the promotional period ends, and adds a few annoying fees to your monthly bill. T-Mobile Home Internet and Starlink are good backup options, but both are more prone to interruptions.
Frequently asked questions about internet providers in Bend
What is the best internet provider in Bend?
TDS (formerly Bend Broadband) is Bend’s premier Internet service provider. It offers a plan starting at $30 per month for speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, and is available almost anywhere in the city. T-Mobile Home Internet is a good backup option for $50 a month, and can be bundled into an eligible T-Mobile cell phone plan for an additional $15 a month in savings.
Is fiber optic internet available in Bend?
Yes, fiber internet is available to 12% of households in Bend, according to FCC data. Quantum Fiber and TDS offer some fiber service in this area, but neither is prevalent.
Who is the cheapest internet provider in Bend?
T-Mobile Home Internet is the cheapest Internet provider in Bend at $50 per month. While TDS offers a $30 monthly plan, the price is offset by $15 monthly fees and an increase in the second year. With T-Mobile, your price is locked in for as long as you remain a customer.
Which internet provider in Bend offers the fastest plan?
TDS (formerly Bend Broadband) offers the fastest internet plan in Bend at 1,000 Mbps. Quantum Fiber also offers speeds of 940 Mbps at some addresses, but it is not widely available.
