Nextlink Internet
available in 
Price: $49.95–$139.95/mo.*
Speeds: 25–1,000Mbps
Data cap: Unlimited
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◊ Provider star ratings are based on user reviews and our independent customer satisfaction survey.
Data effective 4/12/2023. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Expected download speed is the maximum speed available based on a wired connection. Actual speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on several factors. Price shown does not include any applicable taxes, fees or additional equipment.
Our Nextlink internet review
Nextlink offers service throughout the Midwest, from Texas all the way to Iowa and southern Minnesota. Throughout most of its coverage area, the company offers fixed wireless internet connections, though it does offer fiber plans in a number of communities in Eastern Texas and Nebraska.
The most notable features of Nextlink are its relatively high speeds for wireless internet and its lack of data caps. Unlimited data is a pretty rare sight among wireless providers. Even Starlink was eventually forced to impose a data cap to manage its network, so this is an impressive feat for Nextlink.
As a fixed wireless provider, Nextlink is also able to offer much higher download speeds than most other types of wireless internet. Nextlink’s Enhanced Fixed Wireless plans boast speeds up to 500Mbps. That would be a very respectable speed on a wired connection, but obtaining these speeds in areas without that wired infrastructure is a pretty big deal.
Pros
- Unlimited data
- Fast wireless speeds
- Lots of plan options
Cons
- Limited fiber coverage
- High termination fees
Jump to: Plans and pricing | Speed and data caps | Fees | Installation, equipment, and contracts | Customer ratings | Nextlink vs. the competition | Bottom line | Faq
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Compare Nextlink internet plans and pricing
| Package | Price | Speed | View on Nextlink site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Next25 Standard Fixed Wireless | $49.95/mo. | 25Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next35 Standard Fixed Wireless | $59.95/mo. | 35Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next50 Standard Fixed Wireless | $69.95/mo. | 50Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next100 Standard Fixed Wireless | $89.95/mo. | 100Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next50 Enhanced Fixed Wireless | $69.95/mo. | 50Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next100 Enhanced Fixed Wireless | $79.95/mo. | 100Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next200 Enhanced Fixed Wireless | $94.95/mo. | 200Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next300 Enhanced Fixed Wireless | $109.95/mo. | 300Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next400 Enhanced Fixed Wireless | $124.95/mo. | 400Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next500 Enhanced Fixed Wireless | $139.95/mo. | 500Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next50 Fiber | $49.99/mo. | 50Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next100 Fiber | $79.99/mo. | 100Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next500 Fiber | $89.99/mo. | 500Mbps | Shop Plans |
| Next1000 Fiber | $109.99/mo. | 1,000Mbps | Shop Plans |
Data effective 4/12/2023. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Expected download speed is the maximum speed available based on a wired connection. Actual speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on several factors. Price shown does not include any applicable taxes, fees or additional equipment.
Nextlink’s speeds: What’s best for you?
You have a lot of options when it comes to Nextlink plans, depending on which ones are available in your area. Its speeds range from 25Mbps, which is the threshold for broadband internet, to 1,000Mbps gigabit fiber connections. Not all households need the highest speeds available in their area, so if you’re not sure, we’ve got the tools to help you find out how much speed you need.
Fiber plans are the best plans Nextlink offers. We like fiber because it offers high download speeds and equally fast upload speeds. It’s also more reliable than a wireless connection, which can be affected by things like the weather. Still, when it comes to wireless connections, it’s hard to beat speeds like those offered by Nextlink.
Nextlink’s data caps
Nextlink has no data caps and we think that’s great. Most wired providers are moving away from restricting their customers’ data, so it’s encouraging to see a wireless provider with the reliable logistics needed to follow that same trend.
Our favorite plan: Next300 Enhanced Fixed Wireless. This isn’t the fastest wireless plan that Nextlink offers, but it provides more than enough speed for most online activities, including HD streaming, while saving you some money on your monthly bill.
For those fortunate enough to live in one of the communities where Nextlink offers fiber service, you can get the Next500 Fiber plan for even cheaper, with the added reliability and symmetrical upload speeds you get with a fiber optic connection. And for those with a need for speed, Nextlink’s gigabit plan is fairly reasonably priced, even when compared with nationwide providers.
Nextlink internet fees
| Cost | |
|---|---|
| Equipment rental fee | $2.00-$30.00 |
| Equipment purchase fee | Varies |
| Installation Fee | $250.00 |
| Equipment replacement fee | $150.00 |
| Equipment reinstallation fee | $70.00 |
| Early termination fee | $400.00 or remaining contractual value |
Since Nextlink uses a variety of technologies to connect its customers, equipment fees vary somewhat, but are generally on the low side as far as monthly cost. It does come with a pretty hefty installation fee, as fixed wireless connections require a large exterior antenna mounted on your home, so that upfront cost might deter some potential customers. And as always, early termination fees are terrible.
Nextlink internet installation, equipment, and contracts
Transparency is important when it comes to contracts, fees, and other details that can make or break a good provider. Nextlink is pretty upfront when it comes to most prices and fees, but is much more opaque when it comes to contracts.
Nextlink installation and equipment
Similar to a satellite connection, fixed wireless internet requires a large antenna mounted outside your home, usually on the roof. This means that Nextlink doesn’t offer self-installation options, and so you’re stuck with the professional install, which is a pretty big upfront investment.
Nextlink internet contracts
Nextlink internet has contracts of up to 24 months, but it doesn’t post much information about them publicly. This is a bit of a concern when termination fees can be up to $400. We’re not big fans of long-term contracts around here and much prefer providers with no-contract options. If you sign up for Nextlink internet, make sure you ask the agent all about what options are available to you regarding contracts.
Nextlink vs. the competition
| Speed | Price | Order online | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
| 25–1,000Mbps | $49.95–$139.95/mo. | View Nextlink Plans |
| 25–50Mbps | $25.00–$65.00/mo.† | View Rise Broadband Plans |
| 50–250Mbps | $110.00/mo.‡ | View Plans |
Data effective 4/12/2023. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Expected download speed is the maximum speed available based on a wired connection. Actual speeds are not guaranteed and may vary based on several factors. Price shown does not include any applicable taxes, fees or additional equipment.
† With successful activation. Offer available to new customers only. Limited-time offer. May not be combined with other offers. All prices are with Auto-payment enabled and are $5/month more without Auto-payment. Additional fees will apply. Service not available in all areas. Call for details and availability. Restrictions apply.
‡Plus hardware, shipping & handling fees, and tax. Fully refundable. Depending on location, some orders may take 6 months or more to fulfill.
Nextlink can more than hold its own when it comes to other wireless providers, with premium plans surpassing even what Starlink can offer, while still providing some low-cost plans that are much more affordable. There is a lot of variation in the plans available throughout its coverage area, so it’s important to find out which ones you have available and compare those specific plans to the offerings from other providers.
Is Nextlink internet right for you?
Nextlink offers incredibly fast wireless connections, which are perfect for those in more remote rural areas that don’t have access to wired connections. It’s a great option if you’re looking for something that’s faster and cheaper than satellite.
And if you’re in an area covered by Nextlink’s fiber network, that’s an even better option, though make sure to check to see if there are other fiber providers in your area as well.
Shop Nextlink InternetFAQ about Nextlink
How does Nextlink’s fixed wireless service work?
Fixed wireless internet uses a radio transceiver mounted on the roof of your home that points to a nearby wireless tower connected to the rest of the internet. That tower beams information to your antenna, which is then connected by cable to a router inside your home.
Does Nextlink offer unlimited data?
Yes, Nextlink offers unlimited data, which means no data caps, no overage charges, and no throttling of your connection.
Can I stream movies over Nextlink?
Yes. All Nextlink plans can deliver enough speed to stream video, even 4K. Streaming services like Netflix require around 25Mbps for 4K video, which you can get with any Nextlink plan. Perhaps more importantly, streaming video uses large amounts of data, so Nextlink’s unlimited data comes in very handy.
Methodology
Our HighSpeedInternet.com editorial team bases our analyses on customer input from our annual customer satisfaction survey, results from our speed test tool, and proprietary internet provider data on speeds and pricing. To strengthen our research, we look closely at provider contracts to get hard-to-find information on price hikes, data caps, and extra fees, and we keep tabs on the latest news reports and online reviews. When applicable, we also rely on our personal experiences testing these services.
