On this page we have some information on how to get internet service in the state of Pennsylvania. Below we cover who provides internet service in Pennsylvania, where you can find 3G mobile coverage and the internet coverage that the top colleges in the state provide their students.
Find the Best Internet Service Provider in Your Area of Pennsylvania
Local Residential Internet Service Providers
Below are two ISPs that are local to Pennsylvania. These ISPs provide service to residential areas.
- Armstrong Cable Services: Armstrong Cable Services offers Zoom Internet where you can get a speed of up to 50 Mbps download, depending on your area. You need to call them as pricing and availability depend on the location. Call them at 877.277.5711.
- PenTeleData: PenTeleData offers dedicated, constant connection to the Internet with download speeds starting at 384Kbps up to 20 Mbps. Cost of packages are not stated on the website but you can call them at 800-281-3564.
- Adams Cable: Adams Cable provides internet packages for your residence. Their most basic package costs $24.99/month with a download speed of 2 Mbps. The midrange package is $34.99/month with a download speed of 6 Mbps. Their fastest package is $54.99/month with a download speed of 12 Mbps. Call them now at 888-222-0077, Press 3 for Internet.
Local Business Internet Service Providers
And these 3 service providers are also local to Pennsylvania, but they focus service to businesses.
- GetWireless: Getwireless.net’s dedicated broadband service allows your business’ network to connect to the Internet with speeds up to 155 Mbps, and remains an excellent choice for mission-critical business applications. Prices are not stated on the website, but you can contact them to requst for more information. Call them at 888-880-8603
- Zito Media: Zito Media offers cable high-speed internet with speeds up to 6 Mbps download. They also have a fiber-based optic network with high performance and a robust internet access. To get a free consultation, you can call them at 855-438-9486.
- Metrocast: Metrocastoffers a variety of business plans. You can get the Small Business Internet with up to 5 Mbps download speed for a monthly fee of $59.95, or the Business Internet with up to 12 Mbps download speed for a monthly fee of $99.95. They also have the Advanced Business Internet with up to 20 Mbps download speed for a monthly fee of $199.95 and the Professional Business Internet with up to 30 Mbps download speed for a monthly fee of $349.95. Call them at 877-337-7906.
Pennsylvania Internet Connections and Coverage
In this section we cover the internet speeds that you can expect in Pennsylvania, as well as the 3G mobile coverage available in the state.
In regards to speed, Pennsylvania average speed is 16.89 Mbps. This is slightly faster than the national average of 14.76 Mbps.
The 5 cities with fastest internet speed in Pennsylvania are:
- Glenside – 34.78 Mbps
- Warminster – 29.88 Mbps
- Richboro – 29.34 Mbps
- Wynnewood – 28.75 Mbps
- Telford – 28.03 Mbps
The 5 fastest internet service providers in Pennsylvania are:
- Comcast – 23.09 Mbps
- Citizens Internet Service 0 15.79 Mbps
- Verizon Internet – 15.22 Mbps
- Continental Broadband Pennsylvania – 14.80 Mbps
- Atlantic Broadband – 14.36 Mbps
Keep in mind that these numbers can (and do) change frequently. So for the most current numbers you’ll want to check out the Pennsylvania page at NetIndex.com.
Mobile 3G Internet Coverage for Pennsylvania
The following should give you a pretty good idea of what the 3G coverage looks like from 3 of the top mobile internet providers in the state of Pennsylvania.
Keep in mind that 3G coverage can change at any time. So you’ll want to double check the coverage maps before signing up just to make sure there is still coverage in the areas you need it most.
Clear: Clear’s coverage is pretty okay in Pennsylvania. Most major towns and cities have 3G signals.
AT&T: Only the northern area of Pennsylvania doesn’t have AT&T mobile coverage due to forests and lakes in the region. The rest of the state has strong 3G signals.
Verizon: The same goes with Verizon’s mobile coverage. Not many places in the north have signals due to the terrain.
Top 5 Colleges in Pennsylvania & Their Internet Access
If you plan on attending one of the top 5 colleges in the state of Pennsylvania then you’ll want to read this section below, as we cover the internet access each college provides to their students.
Drexel University
The Drexel campus was first made wireless in 2000 with a network called DragonFly. To connect to the internet wirelessly, here are the network SSIDs:
DragonFly3 is the University’s preferred wireless network available to students, faculty, and staff with a current University User ID. Devices that do not support WPA2 and 8021.X user name authentication should connect to the legacy DragonFly network. Those devices, and computers having trouble connecting to dragonfly3, should connect to DragonFly. A current University User ID and device registration is necessary to use DragonFly. The DrexelGuest network is for the convenience of visitors and guests. The Guest Network offers basic web browsing and is limited to services that are publicly available.
University of Pittsburgh
Wireless PittNet provides fast, secure, and easy-to-use Internet access from academic buildings and residence hall common areas across campus. This requires a Valid University Computing Account
Faculty and staff can sponsor Internet access for guests on official University business. Guest wireless is available campus wide by connecting to GUEST-WIRELESS-PITTNET. This still requires a guest login and password.
University of Pennsylvania
AirPennNet is the University’s campus-wide wireless network permitting secure and convenient network access in campus buildings and residence halls. AirPennNet offers secure access to PennNet (the University’s data network), encrypting user data over the wireless airwaves. This requires a username and password. For guests, they can also connect to a wireless network ID called AirPennNet-Guest; however, this has a limited bandwidth and offers no encryption.
Penn State University
The Penn State Wireless network provides on-the-go laptop users with fast and convenient access to e-mail and Web-based services, including the Penn State Portal, eLion, ANGEL, LIAS and many other Internet services. To connect wirelessly, students only need to connect to the wireless network called “pennstate“.
Temple University
Temple provides wireless Internet access in key locations throughout the university to all current students, faculty, and staff as well as alumni and guests.
Wireless connection is available to access Temple resources and the web by accessing the TUsecurewireless network. This requires AccessNet authentication.
Free Internet Access Spots in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, common wi-fi spots where you can connect online for free are restaurants and coffee shops. You can also get free internet access in public libraries and hotels/motels. Other places include:
- Hoss’s Family Steak & Sea in Annville
- Cornerstone Plaza in Bechtelsville
- Market Cross Pub and Salamandra in Carlisle
- Hitching Post in DuBois
- Oliver’s Pub in Ellwood City
- Pump and Pantry in Great Bend
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 Pennsylvania.