Hey there! If you’re looking for information on how and where to get internet in West Virginia then you’ve landed in the right place.
On this page we’ve laid out the details on who to get internet access from, where you can find 3G (mobile) internet coverage, what types of connection the top colleges in the state provide their students and where you can find free wi-fi hotspots in the state of West Virginia.
Find the Best Internet Service Provider in Your Area of West Virginia
Local Residential Internet Service Providers
Immediately below are 3 ISPs that are local to West Virginia that provide internet access to residential areas.
- WildBlue Communications: Wildblue’s internet packages include a 12 Mbps download speed plan called Exede12 Speed and a 5 Mbps download speed plan called Exede5 Speed. In order to get a price quote, you may callcallWildblue at (888) 885-5213.
- Lumos Network: Lumos Network’s internet plans include Ultra-fast DSL with speeds up to 6 Mbps download (1.5Mbps in West Virginia). They also have a Broadband XL package where they offer a dedicated Fiber Optic connection directly to your home with speeds up to 20 Mbps download. To know more information and to get a price quote, call them at 800-262-2200.
- Frontier: Frontier internet offers two packages for their internet service. High-Speed Internet Lite provides download speeds up to 1 Mbps at $32.99 while High-Speed Internet Max offers speed starting 3 Mbps for only $39.99. Contact them at (800) 921-8101.
Local Business Internet Service Providers
The following 3 companies are also local to West Virginia, but instead of providing internet access to residential areas, they’re focus is on businesses.
- Atlantic Broadband: Atlantic Broadband’s Business internet comes with up to 50Mbps speed. You have the option to choose the level of speed and feature packages that is right for your business. To know more information and to get a price quotation, you only need to dial 877-435-2227.
- Armstrong Cable Services: Armstrong has three business packages available. The Small Business Class (Zoom Pro) comes with up to 15 Mb/s download speed at $59.95/month. The Zoom Business Essentials comes with up to 30 Mb/s download speed for as low as $89.95 per month. The Zoom Enterprise comes with up to 50 Mb/s download speed for as low as $119.95 per month. Call 877-277-5705 to know more information.
- Shentel: Shentel has two business internet packages. They have a Small Business package and an Enterprise package. Features and pricing are not stated on the website, but you can call 1-800-SHENTEL to get the information for your specific area.
West Virginia Internet Connections and Coverage
In this section we cover the average internet speeds in West Virginia, as well as where you can go in the state and still find 3G (mobile) coverage.
In regards to speed, West Virginia’s average is 11.21 Mbps, which is slightly slower than the national average of 14.76 Mbps.
The 5 cities with fastest internet speed in West Virginia are:
- Wheeling – 21.42 Mbps
- Weirton – 21.26 Mbps
- Morgantown – 20.24 Mbps
- Harpers Ferry – 16.19 Mbps
- Bluefield – 15.85 Mbps
The 5 fastest internet service providers in West Virginia are:
- Comcast – 18.94 Mbps
- Atlantic Broadband – 15.18 Mbps
- Road Runner – 14.11 Mbps
- Suddenlink Communications – 12.54 Mbps
- Armstrong Cable Services – 8.65 Mbps
Please keep in mind that these numbers change frequently. For the most up to date information you’ll want to check out the West Virginia page at NetIndex.com.
Mobile 3G Internet Coverage for West Virginia
West Virginia is also known as “The Mountain State” as it is located entirely within the Appalachian Region and the state is almost entirely mountainous. So you can expect signals to be less than reliable.
Here is an overview of the 3G coverage from 3 of the top internet providers in W. Virginia.
AT&T: AT&T’s 3G signals are available in some areas of West Virginia. Most of the southeastern part doesn’t have coverage though due to the mountainous terrain as well as the forests.
Clear: Clear’s coverage isn’t available everywhere. Only major cities such as Charleston, Summit, and Parkersburg have coverage from Clear.
Verizon: Verizon’s mobile internet isn’t very good in West Virginia due to the mountains. Only some areas in the west and the south have 3G coverage; so getting signals from Verizon isn’t very reliable.
Top 5 Colleges in West Virginia& Their Internet Access
If you plan on attending one of the top 5 colleges in the state of West Virginia then you’ll want to read this section below, as we cover the internet access each college provides to their students.
Shepherd University
The Shepherd wireless network available to students, faculty and staff has two parts. They are called Registration and SUwireless. These require a username and password. The only buildings without wireless network access are the West Wood residence halls.
Wheeling Jesuit University
Wireless Internet (WiFi) is available for students with WiFi enabled devices in select locations on campus.
Look for signs with this logo. If you are near one of the signs, then you are in a “WiFiHotSpot”
Marshall University
Marshall University offers wireless internet to its students, faculty and staff. They will need to login with their valid MUID number will need to use the Wireless Certificate. For visitors, access granted to short-term guests of Marshall University can be granted by filling out a request form.
Bethany College
Wireless: Wireless access is available in a variety of academic and student life buildings on campus. Students, faculty and staff are able to utilize this service for high-speed internet connectivity.
Your card will find the “BC-Wireless” network. If you have not already, you will need to register your computer to the wireless network.
Fairmont State University
Faculty, staff and students should connect to the Campus_User wireless network. Once a laptop or device has been connected, it should recognize and connect to Campus_User each time it is used on campus. Visitors may connect to the Connect to “Campus_Guest” network.
Free Internet Access Spots in West Virginia
The Daily Grind, Panera Bread, and McDonalds are common areas where you can find free wi-fi access in the state of West Virginia. Motels and suites are also wi-fi spots where you can go online for free. Other not-so-common locations are:
- White Grass XC Skiing in Davis
- Moses Ford & BMW in St. Albans
- Martinsburg Mall Food Court in Martinsburg
- Gunn Family Dentistry in Huntington
- Main Street Historic Downtown in Grafton
Please keep in mind that this is not a complete list, but just a couple of ideas of where to go or what to look for if you need free wi-fi access in West Virginia.