In the Des Moines area, you’ll select from 4 mobile wireless carriers listed below. 100.0% of the Des Moines area’s land area is covered by some kind of wireless service, as are 100.00% of Des Moines’s 671,653 residents. 5G reception covers up to 99.51% of people while they are sitting at home. Note that we may have a financial relationship with some of the Des Moines providers below. This does not influence what data we show, and helps us provide high-quality, detailed information for free.
Des Moines, IA Top Cell Providers
Starter Phones Designed for Child Safety
Coverage:
T-Mobile Network
Data Speeds:
Same as T-Mobile below
Plans start at $29/mo.
View plans
Built-in Parental Controls | Approved Contacts Only | Parent-Controlled Internet Access
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. Learn more about Mint vs. other carriers.
Verizon Wireless 5G available in the Des Moines area
Coverage:
100.00% of the Des Moines area
96.15% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 92.50% 4G: 99.90% 3G or 2G: 99.99%
More about Verizon Wireless in the Des Moines area
Verizon Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in the Des Moines area
Verizon Wireless covers 100.00% of homes in the city 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 the Des Moines area) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
5G |
92.50% |
58.19% |
4G |
99.90% |
98.50% |
2G or 3G |
99.99% |
99.86% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 92.50% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 7.40% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank Verizon Wireless as #2 out of 4 for a combination of coverage and speed among Des Moines mobile providers.
Verizon Wireless Voice Quality in the Des Moines area
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 92.50% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 100.00% of Des Moines homes. 99.86% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Coverage:
99.95% of the Des Moines area
96.67% of the USA
Data Speeds:
4G: 99.44% 3G or 2G: 99.89%
1-833-652-2264
More about AT&T Wireless in the Des Moines area
AT&T Wireless Data Speeds and Coverage in the Des Moines area
AT&T Wireless covers 99.95% of homes in the city 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 the Des Moines area) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
4G |
99.44% |
88.82% |
2G or 3G |
99.89% |
97.80% |
4G is the fastest cell coverage for 99.44% of homes. 0.45% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank AT&T Wireless as #4 out of 4 for a combination of coverage and speed among Des Moines mobile providers.
AT&T Wireless Voice Quality in the Des Moines area
4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.79% of Des Moines homes. 99.89% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
T-Mobile 5G available in the Des Moines area
Coverage:
99.73% of the Des Moines area
97.12% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 98.97% 4G: 97.82% 3G or 2G: 99.05%
More about T-Mobile in the Des Moines area
T-Mobile Data Speeds and Coverage in the Des Moines area
T-Mobile covers 99.73% of homes in the city 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 the Des Moines area) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
5G |
98.97% |
90.14% |
4G |
97.82% |
79.14% |
2G or 3G |
99.05% |
86.93% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 98.97% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 0.00% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank T-Mobile as #1 out of 4 for a combination of coverage and speed among Des Moines mobile providers.
T-Mobile Voice Quality in the Des Moines area
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 98.97% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.62% of Des Moines homes. 99.21% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Coverage percentages on this page are based on the percent of the Des Moines area homes that would be covered by cellular service of any kind, unless specified as Des Moines land area.
Fastest Cell Service Down to the Des Moines Neighborhood
The map below shows where Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile are faster in Des Moines, IA. Areas with no clear winner are shown as ties.
Overall, the Des Moines area ranks #625 out of 2384 cities for the fastest mobile internet network speeds in Iowa.
The central parts of the city feature better overall coverage for faster data. The opposite is true in the northwestern areas of the Des Moines area where mobile data speeds are generally slower.
Best Coverage & Data Speeds in Des Moines, IA: T-Mobile
Among the largest cell phone companies in the United States, T-Mobile has the best speed and coverage in the Des Moines area. T-Mobile has 5G that covers 98.97% of the city. Cell service of any type reaches 100.00% of Des Moines homes.
Cheap Options for Mobile Service in Des Moines, IA
If the price of a Des Moines mobile plan is a major concern for you, cheaper mobile plans are available as well. There are several options available in the Des Moines area 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines, IA
The companies below provide service to areas smaller than the entire United States. For example, they may have a cell tower in the Des Moines area, 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 the Des Moines area and the providers’ coverage areas.
US Cellular 5G available in the Des Moines area
Coverage:
99.96% of the Des Moines area
10.17% of the USA
Data Speeds:
5G: 71.66% 4G: 99.16% 3G or 2G: 99.96%
More about US Cellular in the Des Moines area
US Cellular Data Speeds and Coverage in the Des Moines area
US Cellular covers 99.96% of homes in the city 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 the Des Moines area) is shown below.
Tech |
% Homes |
% Land |
|---|---|---|
5G |
71.66% |
41.72% |
4G |
99.16% |
88.14% |
2G or 3G |
99.96% |
99.12% |
5G is the fastest wireless internet and data speed for 71.66% of homes. 4G is the fastest cell coverage for 27.50% of homes. 0.00% of homes can only receive 2G or 3G data. We rank US Cellular as #3 out of 4 for a combination of coverage and speed among Des Moines mobile providers.
US Cellular Voice Quality in the Des Moines area
5G voice quality can be very clear, and is available to 71.66% of homes. 4G voice is considered HD, and is available at 99.88% of Des Moines homes. 99.96% of homes can make calls using older 2G or 3G voice technology.
Des Moines, IA Mobile Network Coverage Maps | Voice, 4G & 5G
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Your mobile coverage in the Des Moines area may vary based on your provider and location. The map above shows the fastest mobile data speeds in and around the city. 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 the Des Moines area covering 99.51% of homes in the area while 4G covers 100.00% of the city. Overall, 100.00% of homes (671,653 people) and 100.0% of the land (2,881.7 square miles) are covered by some form of cell technology.
5G Coverage Map and Availability in Des Moines
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5G is currently the most advanced network available with speeds several times faster than 4G. 5G networks in the Des Moines area cover 99.51% of homes with 5G voice and data. In total 92.73% or 2,672.4 square miles of the Des Moines area are covered by 5G. The best 5G coverage in Des Moines comes from T-Mobile with 98.97% coverage.
4G Coverage Map and Availability in Des Moines
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4G/LTE networks have become one of the nation’s most common mobile coverage types for data, and in some locations, voice calls. In the Des Moines area, 99.96% of the area is covered by 4G data, and 100.00% is covered by 4G HD voice service. Verizon Wireless has the best 4G network in the Des Moines area with 100.00% coverage.
Selecting the Best Cell Provider in the Des Moines area for You
If you’re still struggling to choose a cell phone provider in the city, some of these facts may help you decide:
- Coverage to Des Moines houses is best with service from Verizon Wireless, with 100.00% of homes covered.
- The best coverage across all Des Moines land is provided by Verizon Wireless at 99.99% of land area covered.
- The current best 5G coverage comes from T-Mobile reporting 98.97% in the Des Moines area.
- The top estimated average speed in the Des Moines area, estimated at 69.81, Mbps is available through T-Mobile.
Mobile Service Cities Near Des Moines
If you live near Des Moines but aren’t technically in the city, 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 the Des Moines area:
Cities close to Des Moines
- Windsor Heights, IA: better coverage
- Pleasant Hill, IA: better coverage
- Berwick, IA: better coverage
- Urbandale, IA: better coverage
- West Des Moines, IA: better coverage
- Johnston, IA: better coverage
- Altoona, IA: better coverage
- Norwalk, IA: better coverage
- Scotch Ridge, IA: better coverage
- Carlisle, IA: better coverage
Cities with similar populations to Des Moines
- Salem, OR: better coverage
- San Marcos, TX: worse coverage
- San Mateo, CA: better coverage
- Salinas, CA: worse coverage
- San Ramon, CA: better coverage
- Rock Hill, SC: better coverage
- Redlands, CA: better coverage
- Roanoke, VA: worse coverage
- Rio Rancho, NM: better coverage
- Rockford, IL: better coverage