If you’re moving, planning on going to school or are just wanting to switch internet providers in the state of Colorado, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find information on who the major internet providers are, what the 3G coverage looks like and the types of internet access (if any) that the top colleges in the state provide their students.
Find the Best Internet Service Provider in Your Area of Colorado
Local Residential Internet Service Providers
Below are 3 internet service providers that are local to Colorado (and possibly neighboring states). These 3 in particular focus on residential internet connections.
- Baja Broadband: Baja’s High-Speed Internet Service lets you surf and download huge files at blazing fast speed without the hassle of dialing-up to access the Internet. Fastest speeds around, up to 100 MB. Prices are not stated on their site and you have to call them to know more information if their service is available in your area. Dial their hotline at 877-422-5282.
- US Cable: US Cable has 3 internet packages available: Lite, Sonic, and HyperSonic. If you’re not downloading huge files, then the Lite is the right package for you. Sonic, is their most popular high-speed Internet connection which provides the serious surfer with lightning-fast speed and is more affordable than DSL. HyperSonic is great for gamers, streaming your favorite Netflix video or just making mince-meat of even the largest of files. Price is not listed on their site but you can call them to request a quotation by dialing 800-480-7020.
- TDS TELECOM: TDS internet has different packages available depending on your area in Colorado. An example is for Orchard City in Colorado; TDS offers $14.95/month for 6 months at 1 Mbps download, $24.95/month for 1 year at 4 Mbps, $34.95/month for 1 year 15 Mbps, and $55/month at 25 Mbps. Check out their site for availability and pricing. Better yet, contact them at 866-571-6662 for details.
Local Business Internet Service Providers
And these 3 internet service providers focus on providing coverage to small businesses.
- SkyWerx Industries, LLC: SkyWerx is a proven technology partner committed to keeping up with the rapid pace of today’s business environment. They deliver customized, cost effective and efficient Internet and data solutions that give their customers the peace of mind they need to focus on their business, not their networks. Prices will vary depending on the speed that you need so you better call them at 970-731-9790 for more information.
- CBeyond: Cbeyond’s broadband internet service offers the reliability businesses demand with symmetric upload and download speeds. They have a “Dynamic allocation of bandwidth” technology which uses your idle phone lines to increase the capacity of your broadband pipe when your phones aren’t in use. And that means you get the fastest connection speeds possible. The prices of their packages are not listed on the site but you can call them to request a quote at 866-424-2710.
- Digis: Digis has internet packages for business good for Small Business, Medium Business, and Large Business/Enterprise. For the Small Business packages, they have a $59.95/month at 5 Mbps download, $119.95/month at 10 Mbps download, and $149.95/month at 15 Mbps download. For the other packages, you will need to call 888-383-6081 for a price quote.
Colorado Internet Connections and Coverage
In this section you’ll find information regarding the internet speeds and coverage in Colorado.
To start off with, you might be interested to know that Colorado’s average internet speed is about on par with the nation. The nation’s average speed is 12.55 Mbps and Colorado’s is 12.42 Mbps. So, not much of a difference there.
The 5 cities with fastest internet speed in Colorado are:
- Avon – 25.10 Mbps
- Monument – 17.67 Mbps
- Vail – 17.32 Mbps
- Morrison – 16.91 Mbps
- Castle Rock – 16.33 Mbps
The 5 fastest internet service providers in Colorado are:
- ViaWest Internet Service – 36.95 Mbps
- Comcast – 17.69 Mbps
- AT&T – 13.65 Mbps
- US Cable – 13.09 Mbps
- Bresnan Communications – 11.92 Mbps
Please note that this information is subject to change at any time. For the most current speeds, check out the Colorado page at Net Index.
Mobile 3G Internet Coverage for Colorado
Here are some details regarding the 3G internet coverage in Colorado. Keep in mind that this is just an overview, and that you’ll want to check each ISP for the most current coverage map.
In general, you’ll find that there isn’t much coverage from the central to western part of Colorado. That’s because it’s covered with forests, plains and mountains.
Clear: Clear only has coverage in the major cities such as Denver, Boulder, Thorton, and Lakewood.
AT&T: AT&T’s coverage are strong in the middle to eastern part of Colorado.
Verizon: Same as AT&T, most of the mobile internet coverage are located in the middle to eastern areas. Some parts in the west have 3G but not in the mountainous regions.
Top 5 Colleges in Colorado & Their Internet Access
If you’re planning on attending college in Colorado, then this section is for you. Below you’ll find the top 5 colleges in Colorado and information regarding the internet access they offer students, and what you need to do to get it.
University of Denver (DU)
University of Denver has a secure network called PioneerNet and this will soon be the only wireless network on campus for students, staff, and faculty. For guests, the DU Guest Wireless is available where a form simply needs to be filled out and you will be given a DU Guest ID and password to gain access as a guest user. Due to the rise in wireless-enabled gaming consoles, the university has created a separate connection for these devices. There is a network called “DU Game Consoles ONLY” that is not visible on a scan for available networks.
Colorado College (CC)
If you are a guest wanting basic internet access, select and connect to the “ccguest” wireless network. Then open an internet browser and enter your email address where prompted. This is an open wireless network and has limited functionality, but is perfect for basic internet browsing. If you are a member of the CC community and have a username and password, then you will want to connect to the secure network “tigernet2″ instead.
Colorado State University (CSU)
All residence halls and apartments have one wired network connection per resident with high-speed Internet access. Service is provided as part of the room & board fee.Wireless network access is also provided in many locations on campus as well as residence halls and apartments
University of Colorado Boulder (UCB)
UCB Wireless can be accessed in all buildings on campus, in popular campus life locations, in residence halls and even on the Buff Bus. In order to connect to the network, all CU-Boulder affiliates need to have an active IdentiKey which are created when you are accepted at UCB.
Colorado School of Mines
Colorado School of Mines offers wired and wireless internet on campus and inside residence halls. For wireless internet on campus, one has to register their device on network. The SSID (name) of this network is ResNetWireless or MinesParkWireless. For wired internet inside the residence halls, Ethernet jacks are available but your computer also needs to be registered first on the Mines network.
Free Internet Access Spots in Colorado
Coffee shops, food/grocery stores, hotel/motel/resorts and libraries are common free WiFi hotspots in Colorado. Here are other place you may want to visit for free internet:
- Apex Center in Arvada
- Rubey Park Transit Center in Aspin
- Town Center at Aurora
- The Outlets at Castle Rock
- 16th Street Mall and Skyline Park in Denver
- City Market in Dillon
- Colorado Welcome Center in Trinidad
Please note that this isn’t all of the places in Colorado that have free wi-fi. It’s just a starting point — there are others.