Internet Services in Fort Thompson, South Dakota

Fort Thompson, South Dakota is a census-designated place located on the Crow Creek Reservation. With a population of just over 1,200 people, this small community faces significant economic challenges, including high rates of poverty and unemployment. Despite these difficulties, residents of Fort Thompson are resilient and take pride in their Native American heritage.

When it comes to internet access, Fort Thompson residents have a few options to choose from. The town is served by a mix of terrestrial fixed wireless, satellite, and fiber-to-the-home providers. Celerity Broadband LLC offers fixed wireless internet with download speeds up to 40 Mbps and upload speeds up to 8 Mbps. HughesNet and Viasat provide satellite internet, with HughesNet offering plans with up to 100 Mbps download and 100 Mbps upload, and Viasat providing up to 35 Mbps down and 3 Mbps up.

For residents who have access to fiber-optic internet, Midstate Communications Inc. and Venture Communications Cooperative, Inc. both offer symmetrical gigabit plans with download and upload speeds of 1,000 Mbps. These high-speed fiber connections can be a game-changer for remote work, online learning, and accessing digital services.

However, it's important to note that internet access in Fort Thompson is not universal. The town's remote location and economic challenges have resulted in a digital divide, with some households lacking reliable, high-speed internet. This can make it difficult for residents to fully participate in the digital economy and access essential online resources.

Despite these challenges, the internet service providers serving Fort Thompson are working to improve connectivity and bridge the digital divide. By exploring options like fixed wireless, satellite, and fiber-optic internet, residents of this small South Dakota community can stay connected and access the resources they need to thrive.