Metronet Internet Review: Plans, Pricing, Speed and Availability

Metronet internet review

Metronet Internet features competitive introductory rates in the first year and high-speed internet supported by a fiber connection. All plans include unlimited data and are free of contracts.

Usually, going with a smaller, independently owned regional internet provider means settling for higher prices, but that’s not necessarily the case with Metronet. Based in Evansville, Indiana, the 100% fiber provider delivers decent speeds for the money and has maintained that value over the years.

Two years ago, Metronet announced a merger with Vexus Fiber, a Texas-based internet service provider, that expanded the provider’s coverage base to over 250 communities. Six months later, it announced a rebrand with a new tagline: “You will love your internet with Metronet.”

Metronet started as a family-run business and is now the country’s largest independently owned fiber-optic ISP. The company is now led by CEO Dave Heimbach, who was appointed in October 2023. Most recently, Metronet announced that it had entered a joint venture agreement with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and T-Mobile, selling its residential fiber operations to T-Mobile.

Metronet earns high marks for its commitment to fiber internet. We’ve noted numerous times in our CNET ISP reviews that it’s hard to beat the performance of a fiber-to-the-home internet connection. It’s more reliable than cable, satellite, DSL or 5G home internet, and it’s the only one that can claim symmetrical download and upload speeds.

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Metronet has been committed to rolling out 100% FTTH networks from its beginnings in central Indiana. That makes it a provider worth paying attention to. As is often the case with ISPs, there are a few things worth considering. When it comes to Metronet, that includes an additional monthly fee for some plans, but we’ll get to that in due time. Let’s explore more.

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Metronet internet plans and pricing

Plan Monthly price Max speeds Fees and service details
150Mbps $35 ($45 after 12 months) 150Mbps download, 150Mbps upload No equipment fees, data caps or contracts
500Mbps $45 ($57 after 12 months) 500Mbps download, 500Mbps upload No equipment fees, data caps or contracts
1 Gig $50 ($60 after 12 months) 1,000Mbps download, 1,000Mbps upload No equipment fees, data caps or contracts
2 Gig $70 ($80 after 12 months) 2,000Mbps download, 2,000Mbps upload No equipment fees, data caps or contracts
5 Gig $110 ($120 after 12 months) 5,000Mbps download, 5,000Mbps upload No equipment fees, no data caps or contracts

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Source: CNET analysis of provider data.

Like other ISPs, Metronet’s promotional pricing is decent and lasts for a year. It’s worth noting that these prices will keep increasing after 12 months without a fixed rate until the third year of service. Besides that, its speed tiers will get the job done, but they aren’t excessively showy. 

For example, regarding the promo prices, the cost per Mbps for Metronet’s fiber gigabit plan is 5 cents, which is a decent deal. That’s better than the gigabit plans offered by AT&T (8 cents), Spectrum (7 cents) and Frontier (6 cents), all of which are competitors in several Metronet service areas. It’s also a touch better than the gig rate of Google Fiber (7 cents), which is a Metronet competitor in the Des Moines market.

The average cost per Mbps for the promo prices of all five plans is less than 9 cents. While that’s better than the promo costs for some of its cable competitors, like Xfinity, it falls short of the average price for some other fiber providers we’ve reviewed: Frontier (6 cents) and Google Fiber (5 cents). One of the main reasons? With maximum upload and download speeds of 150Mbps, Metronet’s starting tier — which meets the Federal Communications Commission’s new benchmark for broadband speeds — is slower than many other providers’ opening offerings. For instance, Quantum Fiber’s lowest fiber option is 200Mbps, AT&T and Verizon Fios start at 300Mbps, and Frontier’s opening salvo is 200Mbps. So, while Metronet customers get a decent bang for their buck with the gigabit plan, you won’t find the same value with its cheapest tier. 

Metronet fares a little better when you compare its regular rates to those of its competitors. Overall, Metronet’s standard rates after a year roll up at an average cost per Mbps of 10 cents, which is still in the middle of the pack — AT&T, CenturyLink, Google Fiber and Verizon Fios retain their impressive prices per Mbps because they don’t do promo pricing — but ends up cheaper in the long run than Spectrum (13 cents) or even Ziply Fiber (18 cents), which had a better promo rate but levels out after a year.

Where can you get Metronet Internet?

Metronet’s headquarters are in Indiana, but its footprint extends beyond the Hoosier state. As of this writing, Metronet Internet is available to over 300 communities in 17 states:

Most Metronet service areas within those states are smaller cities and towns. Some of the larger metropolitan areas covered include Aurora, Illinois; Des Moines, Iowa; Lansing, Michigan; Lexington, Kentucky; Rochester, Minnesota and Tallahassee, Florida.

When we last reviewed Metronet, it offered no speed tiers above one gig. With the roll-out of its multi-gig plans, customers can now access 2-gigabit and 5-gigabit speeds. While they’re not available to all Metronet customers, here are the cities where you can sign up. 

Ada, Michigan Eagle Lake, Minnesota La Fontaine, Indiana Port Orange, Florida Winterville, North Carolina
Adams, Minnesota East Lansing, Michigan Lafayette, Indiana Portage, Michigan Wyoming, Michigan
Albert Lea, Minnesota East Leroy, Michigan Lakeville, Minnesota Prior Lake, Minnesota Xenia, Ohio
Alpha, Ohio East Moline, Illinois Lansing, Michigan Raeford, North Carolina Yorkville, Illinois
Altamonte Springs, Florida Eastover, North Carolina Lansing, Minnesota Randolph, Minnesota Ypsilanti, Michigan
Alto, Michigan Edina, Minnesota Lawrence, Indiana Raymond, Iowa Zionsville, Indiana
Altoona, Iowa Elburn, Illinois Le Center, Minnesota Richmond, Kentucky Zumbro Falls, Minnesota
Ames, Iowa Elgin, Illinois Le Claire, Iowa River Bend, North Carolina
Ankeny, Iowa Elk Run Heights, Iowa Le Roy, Illinois Riverdale, Iowa
Ann Arbor, Michigan Elkhart, indiana Le Sueur, Minnesota Roanoke, Indiana
Apopka, Florida Elkton, Minnesota Lebanon, Indiana Rochester, Minnesota
Apple Valley, Minnesota Ellendale, Minnesota Lemond Township, Minnesota Rock Island, Illinois
Arcadia, Michigan Elysian, Minnesota Lester Prairie, Minnesota Rocky Mount, North Carolina
Arvada, Colorado Englewood, Ohio Lexington, Kentucky Romeoville, Illinois
Aurora, Colorado Evansdale, Iowa Lonsdale, Minnesota Roscoe, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois Evansville, Indiana Loves Park, Illinois Rose Creek, Minnesota
Austin, Minnesota Excelsior, Minnesota Lyle, Minnesota Rosemount, Minnesota
Ayden, North Carolina Eyota, Minnesota Machesney Park, Illinois Royal Oak, Michigan
Bargersville, Indiana Fairborn, Ohio Madison Lake, Minnesota Saint Charles, Illinois
Batavia, Illinois Faribault, Minnesota Madison, Indiana Saint Joseph, Missouri
Battle Creek, Michigan Farmington, Minnesota Maitland, Florida Saint Paul, Minnesota
Battleboro, North Carolina Fayetteville, North Carolina Mankato, Minnesota Saint Peter, Minnesota
Beavercreek, Ohio Fillmore, Indiana Mapleview, Minnesota Sandwich,Illinois
Bellbrook, Ohio Findlay, Ohio Marshalltown, Iowa Sargeant, Minnesota
Belle Plaine, Minnesota Fishers, Indiana Mason City, Iowa Savage, Minnesota
Berea, Kentucky Flagler Beach, Florida Mason, Michigan Saylorville, Iowa
Bettendorf, Iowa Flint, Michigan Mattawan, Michigan Schoolcraft, Michigan
Blooming Prarie, Minnesota Forest City, Florida Mayer, Minnesota Scotts, Michigan
Bloomington-Normal, Illinois Franklin, Indiana Mccordsville, Indiana Sergeant Bluff, Iowa
Bolingbrook, Illinois Fulton, Michigan Medford, Minnesota Seymour, Indiana
Brices Creek, North Carolina Galesburg, Michigan Medway, Ohio Shakopee, Minnesota
Bristol, Illinois Geneseo, Illinois Meridian Township, Michigan Sheffield, Iowa
Bristol, Indiana Geneva, Illinois Midway Park, North Carolina Sheridan, Indiana
Broken Arrow, Oklahoma Geneva, Minnesota Midway, Kentucky Shorewood, Minnesota
Brookville, Ohio Genoa, Illinois Milan, Illinois Silvis, Illinois
Broomfield, Colorado Georgetown, Michigan Mishawaka, Indiana Simpson, North Carolina
Brownsdale, Minnesota Gilbert, Iowa Mitchellville, Iowa Sioux City, Iowa
Bryan, Texas Glenville, Minnesota Moline, Illinois South Daytona, Florida
Bunnell, Florida Grand Ledge, Michigan Montgomery, Illinois South Elgin, Illinois
Burnsville, Minnesota Grand Meadow, Minnesota Montgomery, Minnesota Southfield, Michigan
Byron Center, Michigan Grand Rapids, Michigan Montrose, Minnesota Spring Lake, North Carolina
Byron, Minnesota Grandville, Michigan Morehead City, North Carolina Springfield, Michigan
Caledonia, Michigan Granger, Indiana Morristown, Minnesota St. Joseph, Missouri
Cannon City, Minnesota Granite Falls, North Carolina Naperville, Illinois Stewartville, Minnesota
Cannon Falls, Minnestoa Greencastle, Indiana Nerstrand, Minnesota Sugar Grove, Ilinois
Carbon Cliff, Illinois Greenville, North Carolina Nevada, Iowa Sugarcreek Township, Ohio
Carlisle, Iowa Greenwood, Indiana New Bern, North Carolina Sycamore, Illinois
Carmel, Indiana Grimes, Iowa New Carlisle, Ohio Tallahassee, Florida
Carver, Minnesota Grimesland, North Carolina New Castle, Indiana Taopi, Minnesota
Cedar Falls, Iowa Half Moon, North Carolina New Germany, Minnesota Thortown, Indiana
Centergrove, Indiana Hamburg, Minnesota New Prague, Minnesota Tipp City, Ohio
Centerville, Ohio Hamlet, Indiana New Richland, Minnesota Toledo, Ohio
Ceresco, Michigan Hampton, Illinois New Whiteland, Indiana Towanda, Illinois
Chanhassen, Minnesota Hampton, Iowa Newton, North Carolina Trent Woods, North Carolina
Chaska, Minnesota Hanover, Indiana Nicholasville, Kentucky Troy, Ohio
Cicero, Indiana Haslett, Michigan Noblesville, Indiana Union, Ohio
Cimarron Hills, Colorado Havelock, North Carolina Norfolk, Virginia Urbandale, Iowa
Claremont, Minnesota Hayfield, Minnesota North Aurora, Illinois Vandalia, Ohio
Clarks Grove, Minnesota Hayward, Minnesota North Manchester, Indiana Vander, North Carolina
Clayton, Ohio Henderson, Minnesota North Vernon, Indiana Vernon, Indiana
Cleveland, Minnesota Hickory, North Carolina Northfield, Minnesota Versailles, Kentucky
Climax, Michigan Hollandale, Minnesota Norwalk, Iowa Victoria, Minnesota
Clive, Iowa Holmen, Wisconsin Norwood Young America, Minnesota Vincennes, Indiana
Cloverdale, Indiana Holt, Michigan Oakland, Minnesota Wabash, Indiana
Coal Valley, Illinois Hope Mills, North Carolina Ocoee, Florida Waconia, Minnesota
College Station, Texas Hope, Minnesota Okemos, Michigan Wade, North Carolina
Cologne, Minnesota Huber Heights, Ohio Omaha, Nebraska Waltham, Minnesota
Colona, Illinois Hudsonville, Michigan Onalaska, Wisconsin Waseca, Minnesota
Colorado Springs, Colorado Hungtinton Woods, Michigan Orlando, Florida Waterloo, Iowa
Comstock Park, Michigan Huntington, Indiana Ormond Beach, Florida Watertown, Minnesota
Connersville, Indiana Indianapolis, Indiana Oronoco, Minnesota Waterville, Minnesota
Conover, North Carolina Iowa City, Iowa Osceola, Indiana Waukee, Iowa
Copperas Cove, Texas Iowa Falls, Iowa Oswego, Illinois Wayne, Illinois
Coralville, Iowa Jacksonville, North Carolina Otisco, Minnesota Webster, Minnesota
Cortland, Illinois James City, North Carolina Owatonna, Minnesota Wekiwa Springs, Florida
Crawfordsville, Indiana Janesville, Wisconsin Paint Lick, Kentucky West Chicago, Illinois
Dakota Ridge, Colorado Jenison, Michigan Palm Coast, Florida West Concord, Minnesota
Davenport, Iowa Jewell, Iowa Parchment, Michigan West Des Moines, Iowa
Dayton, Ohio Johnston, Iowa Parkton, North Carolina West Lafayette, Indiana
Daytona Beach, Florida Jordan, Minnesota Paw Paw, Michigan West Milton, Ohio
Dekalb, Illinois Kalamazoo, Michigan Pendleton, Indiana Westfield, Indiana
Delano, Minnesota Kasota, Minnesota Piney Green, North Carolina Westminster, Colorado
Deltona, Florida Kasson, Minnesota Piqua, Ohio Westville, Indiana
Dennison, Minnesota Ken Caryl, Colorado Plainfield, Illinois Whiteland, Indiana
Des Moines, Iowa Kentwood, Michigan Plano, Illinois Williamston, Michigan
Detroit, Michigan Kenyon, Minnesota Pleasant Hill, Iowa Wilmington, North Carolina
Dexter, Minnesota Kilkenny, Minnesota Pleasant Valley, Iowa Wilmore, Kentucky
Dimondale, Michigan Killeen, Texas Plymouth, Minnesota Windsor Heights, Iowa
Dodge Center, Minnesota Kingston, Illinois Polk City, Iowa Winsted, Minnesota
Dundas, Minnesota La Crosse, Wisconsin Pollocksville, North Carolina Winter Garden, Florida

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The company’s fiber footprint is constantly expanding, so you can check the Metronet coverage map for more details.

Service terms for Metronet Internet

Metronet’s monthly pricing is fair, but it also includes some customer-friendly approaches that not all ISPs embrace, including no-term agreements (or the harsh early termination fees that come with them). Let’s examine Metronet’s service terms a bit more to grasp better what you’ll be paying. 

Additional fees

Almost all ISPs charge an installation fee when you first sign up for internet service, so it’s no surprise to find that here. Usually, that charge ranges between $50 and $99, depending on the provider. Metronet falls in the middle of the scale as it charges a $75 installation fee upon signing up for service. Which is pretty tame compared to what most other ISPs will bill for the same service. Let’s talk about an unavoidable charge we don’t often see.

Tech Assure fee

The one part of Metronet service that is outside the norm among ISPs is what it calls a “Tech Assure fee.” Here’s what it is: It’s a mandatory monthly charge of almost $13 on top of your regular monthly rate. Metronet says on its website, “Tech Assure covers any service calls or repairs to all Metronet-owned equipment.” In other words, it’s essentially ISP insurance that covers the customer for any issues that might arise. 

That’s fine in theory, but it adds $156 a year to your internet bill, which is significant. I see the value of not worrying about the additional costs of any needed house calls or equipment fixes, but as an internet technology, fiber is the sturdiest and least finicky broadband connection. So (fingers crossed), you shouldn’t have to worry about your internet constantly. I would prefer to see that be an optional cost for the consumer. 

No equipment fees

Metronet doesn’t charge an additional equipment fee for its plans — a wireless router is included in your monthly bill or a premium router for the faster plans. Comparatively, fiber providers like AT&T Fiber, Frontier Fiber, Google Fiber and Verizon Fios also include the router rentals in their monthly costs, but it’s not always a given — Ziply Fiber charges for its equipment leases.

If your household needs additional help with Wi-Fi, Metronet offers a wireless extender rental (what it calls its WholeHome WiFi) for an additional $15 a month. It’s not a prerequisite, so not all homes will need to add this cost, but you should be aware of it nonetheless. Metronet is currently offering this extender for an additional $5 a month in the first year for the 1-and-2 gig plans.

No data caps

Like many fiber providers, Metronet does not enforce data caps on any of its plans. That means you don’t have to worry about a throttled connection with slower speeds once you hit a certain threshold. It also means you don’t have to fear looming overage charges if you exceed a data cap. Again, that’s not uncommon among fiber providers. It’s still worth calling out, mainly since the Metronet coverage map includes areas covered by cable and satellite internet providers, many of whom enforce monthly data limits. 

Perks and promos

Image of Metronet logo on a service truck Image of Metronet logo on a service truck

Metronet

Lastly, where some ISPs try to lure new subscribers by offering a trial subscription to a streaming service like Disney Plus, HBO Max or Paramount Plus, Metronet allows its customers to earn significant account credits. Metronet’s referral program promotion encourages you to refer friends and family to the service. This means you can earn a $50 account credit for each person you get to sign up using your unique referral link. There is no limit to the number of credits you can earn. This rivals the aggressive referral program we’ve seen from Nomad Internet.

Metronet Internet vs. the competition: Customer satisfaction scores are more hit than miss 

No ISP emerges unscathed when it comes to customer satisfaction numbers. The American Customer Satisfaction Index — which we frequently use to help gauge how providers fare with US subscribers — notes that the internet industry regularly ranks at the bottom among all tracked categories. 

Since Metronet didn’t earn an individual ranking score within the latest ACSI or the J.D. Power US Residential Internet Service Provider Satisfaction for 2023 (due to its size), we leaned on the Better Business Bureau. Metronet earned an average score of 1.06 out of 5 points, which initially didn’t seem all that great. It nabbed an A plus rating, and its numbers were better than the scores of rival providers like Frontier (1.05) and Viasat (1.03). Relatively speaking, it did OK there.

On the bright side, PCMag named Metronet the fastest internet provider in the country for 2023 and 2024. Metronet also did well on the 2023 Ookla speed test report. (PCMag and Ookla are both owned by CNET’s parent company, Ziff Davis.) Per Ookla, Metronet crossed the finish line as the fastest ISP in Iowa, coming in with a median download speed of 266Mbps.

The bottom line on Metronet Internet

You can’t go wrong with an FTTH connection. Its reliability and the symmetrical speeds it offers are currently unparalleled in broadband. Metronet’s commitment to building 100% fiber-optic networks is both admirable and forward-looking (or future-proof, as they say). Its plan pricing is quite reasonable, especially considering its coverage map plays in areas where cable and satellite services have previously reigned. While I’d love to see the Tech Assure Program fee become an optional charge rather than a mandatory one, I give Metronet props for skipping some of the other additional charges — like the equipment rental on most of its plans. It should be near the top of your list if you fall under the Metronet coverage map. 

Metronet Internet FAQs

Metronet is a family-owned, midwestern company co-founded by former CEO John Cinelli and Dave Heimbach. Its headquarters are in Evansville, Indiana, but it provides services in 16 states. In a recent press release, Metronet announced that it will sell its company through a joint venture with Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. and T-Mobile. As a result, Metronet’s fiber customers will eventually transition to T-Mobile.


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Does Metronet Internet come with a router?

Yes, all plans come with a router. For the faster plans, a premium router will be included in the service. However, if you’re looking to lease a wireless extender to get effective Wi-Fi throughout your home, you may need to pay an extra $15 a month, but it is not required.


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Does Metronet have data caps?

No. Metronet Internet features unlimited data. Customers do not need to worry about any usage-based charges on top of their monthly rate. 


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