In Iowa, you’ll select from 7 mobile wireless carriers listed below. 100.0% of Iowa’s land area is covered by some kind of wireless service, as are 100.00% of Iowa’s 3,132,501 residents. 5G reception covers up to 84.00% of people while they are sitting at home. Note that we may have a financial relationship with some of the Iowa providers below. This does not influence what data we show, and helps us provide high-quality, detailed information for free.
Iowa Top Cell Providers
Plans include 5G where available.
Coverage:
T-Mobile Network
Data Speeds:
Same as T-Mobile below
Plans start at $15/mo.
View plans
Mint Mobile provides very affordable plans using the same network as T-Mobile throughout the United States.
Plans include 5G where available.
Coverage:
Verizon Network
Data Speeds:
Same as Verizon below
Plans start at $30/mo.
View plans
Visible offers unlimited data, talk and text for $30/month powered by Verizon.
T-Mobile 5G available in Iowa
Coverage:
98.30% of Iowa
99.34% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 72.19%
4G: 97.31%
3G or 2G: 94.50%
Plans start at $30/mo.
More about T-Mobile in Iowa
T-Mobile Data Speeds and Coverage in Iowa
T-Mobile covers 98.30% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in Iowa) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
5G |
72.19% |
73.25% |
4G |
97.31% |
92.14% |
2G or 3G |
94.50% |
81.34% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 72.19% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 25.12% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank T-Mobile as #1 out of 7 for a combination of coverage and speed among Iowa mobile providers.
T-Mobile Voice Quality in Iowa
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 72.19% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 97.26% of Iowa homes. 94.75% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Verizon Wireless 5G available in Iowa
Coverage:
99.66% of Iowa
98.82% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 0.51%
4G: 99.66%
3G or 2G: 96.45%
Plans start at $35/mo.
More about Verizon Wireless in Iowa
Verizon Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in Iowa
Verizon Wireless covers 99.66% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in Iowa) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
5G |
0.51% |
0.01% |
4G |
99.66% |
99.37% |
2G or 3G |
96.45% |
89.00% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 0.51% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 99.15% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank Verizon Wireless as #3 out of 7 for a combination of coverage and speed among Iowa mobile providers.
Verizon Wireless Voice Quality in Iowa
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 0.51% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.66% of Iowa homes. 95.97% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
AT&T Wireless 5G available in Iowa
Coverage:
98.41% of Iowa
98.83% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 3.51%
4G: 97.89%
3G or 2G: 96.57%
More about AT&T Wireless in Iowa
AT&T Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in Iowa
AT&T Wireless covers 98.41% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in Iowa) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
5G |
3.51% |
2.29% |
4G |
97.89% |
91.32% |
2G or 3G |
96.57% |
90.30% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 3.51% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 94.38% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank AT&T Wireless as #4 out of 7 for a combination of coverage and speed among Iowa mobile providers.
AT&T Wireless Voice Quality in Iowa
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 3.51% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 97.89% of Iowa homes. 96.57% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Coverage percentages on this page are based on the percent of Iowa homes that would be covered by cellular service of any kind, unless specified as Iowa land area.
Fastest Cell Service Down to the Iowa Neighborhood
The map below shows where Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile are faster in Iowa. Areas with no clear winner are shown as ties.
Overall, Iowa ranks #45 out of 52 states and territories for the fastest mobile internet network speeds in the United States.
Best Iowa Cell Provider Key
The central parts of the state feature better overall coverage for faster data. The opposite is true in the western areas of Iowa where mobile data speeds are generally slower.
Best Coverage & Data Speeds in Iowa: T-Mobile
Among the largest cell phone companies in the United States, T-Mobile has the best speed and coverage in Iowa. T-Mobile has 5G that covers 72.19% of the state. Cell service of any type reaches 99.66% of Iowa homes.
Cheap Options for Mobile Service in Iowa
If the price of a Iowa mobile plan is a major concern for you, cheaper mobile plans are available as well. There are several options available in Iowa including pre-paid, no-contract plans that start as low as $15 per line. Many of these providers such as Mint, Boost, and Cricket partner with the three major carriers to provide excellent coverage nationwide. With these discount options, the price of your Iowa wireless plan will quickly rise if you add additional lines or features such as a hotspot or unlimited data.
Plans include 5G where available.
Coverage:
T-Mobile Network
Data Speeds:
Same as T-Mobile above
Plans start at $15/mo.
View plans
Mint Mobile provides very affordable plans using the same network as T-Mobile throughout the United States.
These providers all offer excellent coverage at a lower price compared to more well-known brands. Mint is generally regarded as the most affordable provider for unlimited data, with a high "throttle cap" of 35GB. Depending on where you live, you may prefer the AT&T network coverage offered by Cricket. Boost is a good option for international travelers.
Local Mobile Providers in Iowa
The companies below provide service to areas smaller than the entire United States. For example, they may have a cell tower in Iowa, and then partner with larger national companies to provide national service for traveling customers. We display network partners to the best of our ability but cannot guarantee coverage or charges outside of Iowa and the providers’ coverage areas.
US Cellular 5G available in Iowa
Coverage:
99.86% of Iowa
9.86% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 51.50%
4G: 99.76%
3G or 2G: 95.62%
Plans start at $30/mo.
More about US Cellular in Iowa
US Cellular Data Speeds and Coverage in Iowa
US Cellular covers 99.86% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 5G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in Iowa) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
5G |
51.50% |
24.03% |
4G |
99.76% |
98.32% |
2G or 3G |
95.62% |
94.41% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 51.50% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 48.26% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank US Cellular as #2 out of 7 for a combination of coverage and speed among Iowa mobile providers.
US Cellular Voice Quality in Iowa
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 51.50% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.76% of Iowa homes. 95.62% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
More about Chat Mobility in Iowa
Chat Mobility Data Speeds and Coverage in Iowa
Chat Mobility covers 99.61% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 4G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in Iowa) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
4G |
99.38% |
98.03% |
2G or 3G |
99.61% |
98.56% |
4G is the fastest cell coverage for 99.38% of homes. 0.23% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank Chat Mobility as #5 out of 7 for a combination of coverage and speed among Iowa mobile providers.
Chat Mobility Voice Quality in Iowa
4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.38% of Iowa homes. 99.48% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
More about Viaero Wireless in Iowa
Viaero Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in Iowa
Viaero Wireless covers 30.32% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 4G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in Iowa) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
4G |
30.32% |
61.48% |
4G is the fastest cell coverage for 30.32% of homes. We rank Viaero Wireless as #6 out of 7 for a combination of coverage and speed among Iowa mobile providers.
Viaero Wireless Voice Quality in Iowa
4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 30.32% of Iowa homes. 0.00% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
More about NorthwestCell in Iowa
NorthwestCell Data Speeds and Coverage in Iowa
NorthwestCell covers 1.49% of homes in the state with mobile data. The fastest cellular data speed available is 4G. Coverage by homes and land mass (the % of acres with cell coverage versus the total acreage in Iowa) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
4G |
1.37% |
0.64% |
2G or 3G |
0.95% |
0.39% |
4G is the fastest cell coverage for 1.37% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank NorthwestCell as #7 out of 7 for a combination of coverage and speed among Iowa mobile providers.
NorthwestCell Voice Quality in Iowa
4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 1.37% of Iowa homes. 0.95% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Iowa Mobile Network Coverage Maps | Voice, 4G & 5G
Iowa Fastest Speeds Key
Your mobile coverage in Iowa may vary based on your provider and location. The map above shows the fastest mobile data speeds in and around the state. To see coverage for an individual provider, click the provider's availability maps above.
There are several types of mobile coverage to consider when evaluating a carrier’s geographic reliability. 5G is the fastest mobile data connection in Iowa covering 84.00% of homes in the area while 4G covers 99.99% of the state. Overall, 100.00% of homes (3,133,982 people) and 100.0% of the land (55,832.8 square miles) are covered by some form of cell technology.
5G Coverage Map and Availability in Iowa
Iowa 5G Coverage Key
5G is currently the most advanced network available with speeds several times faster than 4G. 5G networks in Iowa cover 84.00% of homes with 5G voice and data. In total 76.83% or 42,913.5 square miles of Iowa are covered by 5G. The best 5G coverage in Iowa comes from T-Mobile with 72.19% coverage.
4G Coverage Map and Availability in Iowa
Iowa 4G Coverage Key
4G/LTE networks have become one of the nation’s most common mobile coverage types for data, and in some locations, voice calls. In Iowa, 99.99% of the area is covered by 4G data, and 99.99% is covered by 4G HD voice service. US Cellular has the best 4G network in Iowa with 99.76% coverage.
Selecting the Best Cell Provider in Iowa for You
If you’re still struggling to choose a cell phone provider in the state, some of these facts may help you decide:
- Coverage to Iowa houses is best with service from US Cellular, with 99.86% of homes covered.
- The best coverage across all Iowa land is provided by Verizon Wireless at 99.40% of land area covered.
- The current best 5G coverage comes from T-Mobile reporting 72.19% in Iowa.
- The best 4G coverage is obtainable with US Cellular, covering 99.76% of Iowa.
- The top estimated average speed in Iowa, estimated at 61.30, Mbps is available through T-Mobile.
Mobile Service Near Iowa
If you live near Iowa but aren’t technically in the state, or you like to explore the region a lot, your coverage availability and speeds may vary.
Enter your zip code here to find more precise mobile numbers on your exact location. Here are our mobile and cell phone guides for several popular locations in and around Iowa:
States close to Iowa
- Wisconsin: better mobile coverage
- Minnesota: better mobile coverage
- Illinois: better mobile coverage
- Missouri: better mobile coverage
- Nebraska: worse mobile coverage
- South Dakota: better mobile coverage
- Kansas: better mobile coverage
- Indiana: better mobile coverage
- Michigan: better mobile coverage
- Arkansas: better mobile coverage
States with similar populations to Iowa
- Utah: better mobile coverage
- Mississippi: better mobile coverage
- Arkansas: better mobile coverage
- Kansas: better mobile coverage
- Nevada: better mobile coverage
- Connecticut: better mobile coverage
- Puerto Rico: better mobile coverage
- Oklahoma: better mobile coverage
- Oregon: better mobile coverage
- New Mexico: better mobile coverage