Where is MetroNet available in Rochester, MN?

MetroNet started constructing the basic layout for fiber-optic internet in Rochester around April of 2019. Since then, the contractor teams for have been busy constructing the fiber optic network in your city.

There are pockets of fiber optic internet in neighborhoods all over Rochester, from 1st Avenue Southwest to Marion Road Southeast and the University Center of Rochester.

The digital map displays where construction is finished and where it is planned for the near future.

If you’re wondering exactly which areas have access to fiber-optic internet in Rochester or more broadly, in Olmsted County, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has a convenient map with area summaries, including the number of fixed residential broadband providers, that you can access here.

How much does MetroNet cost per month (2024)?

One of the most common questions people want to be answered regarding fiber internet is how much is this going to cost me?”

Although building these fiber optic bundles isn’t cheap, the good news is it’s more affordable now than ever thanks to the explosion in demand for faster internet.

You can usually expect Rochester fiber internet at speeds of 1GB to cost about $89.95 per month, though this can vary depending on where exactly you live. That is for the fastest package available, 100 / 100 Mbps packages start at $49.95.

How fast is Rochester’s MetroNet internet?

To understand just how fast it is, you’ll need to compare it to its predecessors: DSL internet and internet using a cable modem.

• DSL at its core, is a wireline transmission technology. This type of internet connection relies on copper telephone lines that are installed in businesses and homes already.
• Cable internet download speeds are comparable to DSL, and have a wide range of speeds, 10-1,000 Mbps.

With the internet that uses a cable modem, broadband is provided by cable operators. They use coaxial cables — the types of wires that transmit the sound and video to your television — to provide this broadband.

These speeds can be compared to DSL internet, although they can also be a little faster than an average residential DSL connection. The speed of cable modem service can differ based on the cable network, the type of cable modem, and the traffic load.

Now, let’s take a look at fiber optic internet. The speeds differ so drastically between fiber-optic internet and what you might think of as traditional internet because of the transmission of information through the media.

Unlike copper wires, fiber optic strands are very thin. They’re so thin in fact that they’re about the diameter of a human hair.

Their thin diameter is actually what makes them able to be bunched into fiber optic trunk cables — essentially just larger cables. 

These multiple thin lines can transmit tons of data, making fiber optic internet much faster than traditional internet. However, the speed you’ll experience in your home might vary depending on how close the fiber is to your computer and how your provider constructs the service. 

Fibers impressive because you’ll be able to download videos and albums at unrivaled speeds. This makes this type of internet perfect for technology geeks, gamers who depend on the fastest internet, and people to value high-speed internet and incorporate it into their daily lives.

Whether you are moving to a new location or just want to get comparative pricing on your various home internet options, The Connected Home is your one-stop-shop for internet, phone and television services. Bundle all your services to get the best price.