TDS Telecom
available in 
Price: $49.99–$199.99/mo.*
Speeds: 1,000Mbps–8,000Mbps
Data cap: Unlimited
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◊ Provider star ratings are based on user reviews and our independent customer satisfaction survey.
Data effective 06/26/2025. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*Availability varies and speeds shown may not be available at all service addresses. Certain speeds are only offered in areas where TDS Fiber internet is available.
Our TDS internet review
TDS operates in rural and suburban areas throughout the U.S. Although it has a much smaller coverage area than most nationwide providers, most states have at least a handful of areas where TDS offers service.
Much like its coverage area, TDS’s plans are a bit sporadic, with fiber and cable available in different regions. Not all plans are available in all regions, so it’s important to know which options you have at your address and how they compare to other providers in the area.
Pros
- Multi-gig fiber plans
- Lots of bundles
- Many plan options
Cons
- Limited fiber availability
Jump to: Plans and pricing | Speed and data caps | Fees | Installation, equipment, and contracts | Customer ratings | TDS vs. the competition | Bottom line | Faq
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Compare TDS internet plans and pricing
| Package | Price* | Speed | View on TDS site |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Gig Fiber Internet | $49.99/mo. for 24 mos. | 1,000Mbps | Shop Plans |
| 1 Gig Fiber Internet | $69.99/mo. for life. | 1,000Mbps | Shop Plans |
| 2 Gig Fiber Internet | $69.99/mo. for 24 mos. | 2,000Mbps | Shop Plans |
| 5 Gig Fiber Internet | $99.99/mo. for 24 mos. | 5,000Mbps | Shop Plans |
| 8 Gig Fiber Internet | $199.99/mo. for 24 mos. | 8,000Mbps | Shop Plans |
Data effective 06/26/2025. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*All-In Internet Pricing: Customers who use TDS Wi-Fi equipment will be charged a one-time $19.95 handling fee. Price includes standard Wi-Fi equipment only; available to new Internet customers and existing customers adding qualifying Internet services. If you disconnect, suspend, or downgrade service(s), you may lose this offer.
TDS’s speeds: What’s best for you?
TDS offers a wide range of speeds from 1,000Mbps, to its multigigabit fiber plans that can go toe-to-toe with some of the fastest internet plans in the country.
The best plans TDS has to offer are its fiber plans, which not only offer high download speeds, but equally fast upload speeds and high overall reliability. Although there is some overlap between its fiber and cable networks, its fiber footprint doesn’t fill its entire coverage area. If TDS Fiber is available in your area, we highly recommend it.,
TDS’s data caps
Most of TDS’s plans don’t have data caps, however, some DSL plans still have limits on the amount of data you can use per month. We’re not big fans of data caps, so we suggest avoiding these plans if you can. If you do choose a plan with data limits, make sure to keep an eye on your data usage throughout the month to avoid unexpected charges on your monthly bill.
Is TDS internet available where you live?
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Our favorite plan: 1Gig Fiber Internet. This plan gives more than enough speed for the average household which makes it great for those with a lot of devices on their home networks.
Although fiber plans aren’t available throughout TDS’ entire coverage area, the provider has been working over the last few years to expand its fiber network to reach 1.2 million locations, according to Fierce Telecom.
TDS internet fees
In addition to the monthly cost of your plan, you might have additional fees such as equipment rental fees or data overage charges. Contact your TDS agent for more details.
TDS internet installation, equipment, and contracts
Contracts and hidden fees can be deal-breakers when choosing an internet provider, and unfortunately, TDS has its share of both.
TDS installation and equipment
TDS gives customers the choice of renting equipment from the provider or simply purchasing your own. Purchasing your own router definitely gives you more options, especially if you’re opting for one of TDS’ ultrafast fiber plans. It can also be a great way to save money if you opt for a plan with lower top speeds.
On the other hand, renting your equipment from your provider is a straightforward option that can make things a lot easier if you have to call your provider’s customer service line.
TDS internet contracts
TDS plans come with a one- to two-year contract. We’re not fans of contracts, or the excessive termination fees that come with them. If signing a long-term contract is a deal breaker for you, check to see if there’s a no-contract internet option available in your area.
How TDS compares to the competition
| Provider | Plan price range | Speeds (range) | Customer rating* | Order online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TDS | $49.99–$199.99† | 1,000Mbps–8,000Mbps | N/A | View TDS Plans |
| Earthlink | $39.95–$189.95/mo.‡ | 18–5,000Mbps | 4.0/5 | View EarthLink Plans |
| Kinetic | $24.99–$99.99/mo.§ w/ Auto Pay | 50–2,000Mbps | 3.5/5 | View Kinetic Plans |
Data effective 06/26/2025. Offers and availability may vary by location and are subject to change.
*According to our annual customer satisfaction survey.
†All-In Internet Pricing: Customers who use TDS Wi-Fi equipment will be charged a one-time $19.95 handling fee. Price includes standard Wi-Fi equipment only; available to new Internet customers and existing customers adding qualifying Internet services. If you disconnect, suspend, or downgrade service(s), you may lose this offer.
‡with a 12 month contract. Actual speeds may vary depending on the distance, line-quality, phone service provider, and number of devices used concurrently. All speeds not available in all areas. DSL and Fiber Plans require a 12 month contract and may have a cancellation fee to be determined upon cancellation.
§ Kinetic
- With $5 Auto Pay for each month the customer is enrolled in AutoPay throughout the life of the customer. Available to new and existing customers. Promotional period pricing ending after 12 months.
- With $5 Auto Pay for each month the customer is enrolled in AutoPay. Limited-time, non-transferable offer for residential customers that may not be combined with other promotions. Credit restrictions may apply. Subject to availability.
- With $5 Auto Pay for each month the customer is enrolled in AutoPay. Limited-time, non-transferable offer for residential customers that may not be combined with other promotions. Credit restrictions may apply. Subject to availability, price duration for 24 months.
Kinetic Broadband Label available at: https://www.windstream.com/support/labels/
TDS can definitely stand up to many of the other nationwide providers in terms of speed but, again, there’s a lot of variation from area to area. If you have access to TDS Fiber, it might be the clear winner, while in DSL-only areas, it may not be a viable option at all.
Like many of the other plucky telecom underdogs, TDS is expanding at breakneck speed and focusing most of its efforts on fiber, so even if TDS isn’t the best choice for your household at the moment, it’s worth remembering the name, as its offerings in your area may have changed by the next time you’re looking to upgrade your home internet.
Is TDS internet right for you?
TDS provides fast and reliable fiber options in many underserved areas, providing benefits on par with those found in much more urban areas. If TDS has fiber options in your area, we highly suggest comparing them to the plans offered by bigger national brands.
The cable and DSL plans offered by TDS definitely can’t compete with other providers’ fiber options, but in more rural areas, they still might be worth checking out.
Shop TDS InternetFAQ about TDS
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What does TDS stand for?
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.