If you need internet access in the state of Oregon then you’re in the right place. Read on below to find out who provides internet access in Oregon state, how good the mobile (3G) coverage is and what type of internet access the top colleges in Oregon provide (if any).
Find the Best Internet Service Provider in Your Area of Oregon
Local Residential Internet Service Providers
The following companies are smaller internet providers that primarily focus on Oregon (and maybe a few other states). The first two are residential internet providers and the last 3 provide internet to small businesses.
- Frontier: Frontier mainly offers two internet packages. 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. They also have a dedicated internet package for High-Speed Internet for only $14.99. Speed is not indicated in this package. Contact them at (800) 921-8101.
- Hevanet: Hevanet’s minimum internet package starts at $33.95 with 1.0Mbps download and they also have a higher package at $45.95 for 3 Mbps download. Call them at (503) 531-9048.
Local Business Internet Service Providers
- Infinity Internet: Infinity Internet’s packages depend on the current provider that you have. If you have a CenturyLinkaccount for a Small Office or Home Office, you can get a 256Kbps download speed for $24.95 and 3-7Mbps download at $44.95.If you want a CenturyLink Corporate account package, Infinity Internet offers $88.95 for a download speed of 256Kbps and $108.95 for a 3-7Mbps download. If your provider is Verizon or Frontier, the minimum speed is 768Kbps for $64.95 and maximum is 7.1Mbps for 129.95. For support, you can call them at (800) 689-4303 – Toll-Free.
- Spiretech: Spiretech’s internet Business packages start at $64.95 with 768Kbps download and can reach as high as 3Mbps for $99.95. Their internet is coursed through Century Link phone lines. They also have Small Business Packages that start at $35.95 for 768 Kbps download and $75.95 for 3Mbps download. You can call them at (503) 222- 3086.
- Peak Internet: Peak Internet’s Business Package will depend on your telephone provider. If you are subscribed to Pioneer, the minimum offer is $29.95 for 256Kbps download speed and $64.95 for 16Mbps download speed. If your telephone provider is Century Link, the 256 Kbps download speed costs $34.95 and they also have aupt 1.5Mbps download speed at $54.95. If your provider is Qwest, the 256Kbps download speed is $39.95 and the highest speed at 7Mbps costs $78.20. For more information, you can call their hotline at 1 (800) 731-4871.
Oregon Internet Connections and Coverage
The following information probably won’t have much influence on your internet decision, much less where you move to, but it’s interesting to see and compare nonetheless.
Oregon has a higher average speed compared to the nation as a whole. Oregon has an average internet speed of 15.02 Mbps, and the USA has an average speed of 12.55 Mbps.
Please keep in mind that these averages change regularly. To see the most current speeds for Oregon internet, as well as the fastest cities and ISPs, please visit the Oregon Net Index page.
The 5 cities with fastest internet speed in Oregon are:
- Lincoln City – 24.78 Mbps
- Tillamook – 23.88 Mbps
- Pendleton – 21.20 Mbps
- Medford – 21.01 Mbps
- Newport – 20.82 Mbps
The 5 fastest internet service providers in Oregon are:
- Charter Communications – 20.41 Mbps
- Comcast – 19.10 Mbps
- Bend Cable Communications, LLC – 12.90 Mbps
- Frontier Communications – 12.79 Mbps
- Cable One – 12.31 Mbps
Mobile 3G Internet Coverage for Oregon
Here is a little bit of info on how good or bad the mobile (3G) coverage is in Oregon. Keep in mind that this is just a rough overview, and that you should always check the ISP’s coverage map before buying.
- Clear: Clear’s 3g mobile service covers only the major cities in Oregon such as Portland, Salem, and Eugene.
- AT&T: AT&T mobile coverage is strongest in northwest Oregon (Portland) and southwest Oregon (Medford). Most parts in Oregon are covered by forests, woods, mountainous regions which can make mobile signals difficult to find.
- Verizon: Mobile coverage from Verizon is weakest in the central part where forests, plains, and valleys are.
Top 5 Colleges in Oregon & Their Internet Access
If you plan on attending an Oregon college in the fall, it would be a good idea to figure out what kind of internet access, if any, that they offer. Below are the top 5 colleges in Oregon and what they provide in terms of internet connections.
University of Oregon (UO)
The UO provides wi-fi internet access across campus that is available to anyone with a Duck ID. Faculty and staff can sponsor a guest for internet access. The network to use in order to connect to the university’s internet is UOnet. This includes the wireless internet, computer logins and VPN access.
Portland State University (PSU)
PSU offers wireless access through most of the academic and administrative buildings on campus. Most laptops and wireless PDA devices can connect to their network. To connect to the wireless network, you need a valid ODIN username and password or a temporary guest wireless login. The easiest way to connect to our network is to connect to the unencrypted wireless network, “PSU.” You will automatically be directed to our authentication page. Use your ODIN username and password to authenticate and you should be able to access the internet.
Oregon State University (OSU)
OSU offers wireless internet networks on campus. They have an OSU_Secure network as an option for those on campus who require data encryption while accessing the internet. This is a good option for those who log on to internet banking, but don’t want to be concerned with unencrypted information being transmitted through the wireless network. They also have an OSU_Access network which is the unsecured campus wireless network. Anybody with an ONID account or a Conference Login can connect. Lastly, the Visitor network is free. Aside from using the University’s existing wireless infrastructure, no OSU staff or resources are involved; routing and management are provided by Peak and Alyrica.
University of Portland (UP)
Students, faculty, staff, and members of the University community can access the Pilots wireless network using 802.11b and 802.11g wireless devices such as laptops, notebooks, tablets, PDAs, handhelds, Palms, Pocket PCs, Blackberrys, and cell phones. The Information Services team in UP has completed the installation of internet wireless points that provide 100% coverage of the University buildings and major common areas. Internet access is also provided to all students living in the dormitories.
Pacific University
The Pacific University Library has both hard-wired Internet access built into study carrels and tables. More so, the university has wireless Internet access available to the Pacific University community. In order to gain access, one only needs to establish the wireless connection by visiting the TIC (Technology Information Center) in Marsh Hall.
Free Internet Access Spots in Oregon
Free internet access in Oregon can be found is most hotels, restaurants, libraries, and malls. Here are other free internet hot spots in Oregon:
- Driftwood RV Park in Brookings
- Arbor Lodge Park in North Portland
- Salmon Harbor Marina in Winchester Bay
- Family YMCA of Marion & Polk Counties in Salem
- Mountain View Motel & RV Park in Joseph