CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber – Finest fiber web supplier in Denver
Costs: $30 – $70 per 30 days
Speeds: 200 – 940Mbps
Limitless knowledge
Xfinity – Finest availability amongst web suppliers in Denver
Costs: $20 – $300 per 30 days
Speeds: 75 – 6,000Mbps
Knowledge caps on some plans
Test with Xfinity Web
Starry Web – Finest mounted wi-fi web supplier in Denver
Costs: $30 – $80 per 30 days
Speeds: 50 – 1,000Mbps
Limitless knowledge
Test with Starry Web
Denver is one in every of my favourite cities. I used to be born there and I am a lifelong Broncos fan. Placing that apart, it is merely a good looking a part of the nation. Nonetheless, whereas it ranks close to the highest of the perfect cities in my coronary heart, its web pace is… not so good. Sure, the nineteenth most populous US metro space locations among the many backside 5 of the nation’s quickest cities for broadband. Even I’ve to confess, that is a bummer.
Ookla, identified for its Speedtest, retains tabs on the highest 100 cities within the US and ranks them for median obtain speeds primarily based on knowledge gleaned from the numerous pace checks run by the positioning’s customers. Primarily based on Ookla’s second-quarter 2023 report, Denver limped into 98th place with a median obtain pace of roughly 111 megabits per second. That is one of many slowest median speeds amongst all of the cities CNET has lined to this point, together with the smaller cities of Austin (236Mbps), Charlotte (223Mbps), Orlando (217Mbps) and St. Louis (178Mbps).
One main cause for Denver’s decrease median speeds is the dearth of quicker fiber connections all through the metro space. Sure, you will get fiber service in Colorado’s capital metropolis. However, one of many principal suppliers, CenturyLink, is simply as prone to have solely DSL service at many addresses as its Quantum Fiber providing. That stated, first rate speeds are additionally accessible from Comcast’s cable web service, Xfinity, which additionally has a large footprint within the space.
Finest web suppliers within the Mile Excessive Metropolis
Denver additionally has a wide range of mounted wi-fi options, together with 5G dwelling web choices, to assist join Coloradans. CNET examines customer support, pace, pricing and total worth earlier than recommending the perfect broadband in your space. All costs listed on this web page replicate accessible reductions for organising paperless billing. If you happen to determine to not go along with computerized month-to-month funds, your worth might be increased. That can assist you type out your decisions within the Mile Excessive Metropolis, this is what it is advisable to find out about the perfect web suppliers in Denver.
Be aware: The costs, speeds and options detailed within the article textual content could differ from these listed within the product element playing cards, which characterize suppliers’ nationwide choices. Your specific web service choices — together with costs and speeds — rely in your handle and will differ from these detailed right here.
CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber Finest fiber web supplier in Denver
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Product particulars
Worth vary
$30 – $70 per 30 days
Pace vary
200 – 940Mbps
Connection
Fiber
Highlights
Limitless knowledge, no contracts, gear included with gigabit tier
CenturyLink’s fiber service, which has been branded Quantum Fiber in some areas (however not all, which is complicated, I do know), is without doubt one of the few fiber suppliers within the higher Denver space. Purchaser beware, although: Simply because your handle is serviceable for CenturyLink would not make sure you’re serviceable for the corporate’s fiber service. Per the Federal Communication Fee’s most up-to-date figures, its DSL service nonetheless makes up greater than half of its protection map.
Availability: Eligibility for CenturyLink’s fiber service contains the Denver metro space, however predominantly Aurora, simply to the east, and the northern suburbs of Commerce Metropolis and Thornton.
Plans and pricing: You possibly can anticipate one of the crucial inexpensive web plans within the space. For instance, at $70 per 30 days, the fiber gigabit plan provides superb worth at simply over 7 cents per megabit-per-second, plus your gateway gadget is included (which is an extra $15 per 30 days for patrons of the 200Mbps plan).
Charges and repair particulars: You do not get the range of choices you would possibly see from different suppliers. There are solely two plans from which to decide on, the high-value gigabit plan or the 200Mbps tier, which is $30. That plan rings in at 15 cents per Mbps, which is not dangerous, however you will want so as to add $15 month-to-month on your gear rental. CenturyLink nonetheless scores factors right here as a result of fiber service is scarce in Denver. It is robust to beat the symmetrical obtain and add speeds it supplies, and CenturyLink moreover boasts no contracts and limitless knowledge.
Learn our CenturyLink dwelling web evaluation.
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Xfinity Finest availability amongst web suppliers in Denver
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Product particulars
Worth vary
$20 – $300 per 30 days
Pace vary
75 – 6,000Mbps
Connection
Cable
Highlights
Knowledge caps on some plans, a number of plan choices, strong buyer satisfaction numbers
Whereas CenturyLink’s fiber choices are confined to 2 flavors (200Mbps and 1 gig), Comcast’s cable web service, Xfinity, offers prospects a wider vary of choices, together with seven totally different plans.
Availability: Whereas CenturyLink will be discovered all through the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro space, you may be rolling the cube on whether or not you are taking a look at DSL service or the extra fascinating fiber connection. However, Xfinity options all plan choices in all places all through Broncos Nation. Which means you will get linked with Xfinity in case you’re as far north as Broomfield and Boulder or ranging south of the town from Centennial to Fortress Rock.
Plans and pricing: You will get an inexpensive web plan for $25 a month (75Mbps), or you may go daring with a 6,000Mbps plan, although that’ll price you a reasonably penny — $300 per 30 days, one of the crucial costly dwelling web plans we have seen at CNET. Xfinity’s Gigabit Further plan (at 1,200Mbps) is quicker than CenturyLink’s prime choice (940Mbps), nevertheless it’s additionally costlier and, as a cable connection, would not characteristic symmetrical add speeds.
Charges and repair particulars: The contracts and caps are the most important caveats. You may be required to signal a time period settlement (usually 12 months, however the Gigabit Professional plan requires a full two-year contract) to get the perfect month-to-month charges on your private home web plan. Additionally, Xfinity locations a month-to-month knowledge cap of 1.2 terabytes on some plans. Whereas that is greater than double the 496 gigabytes the typical US family utilized in 2022 (per Open Vault’s quarterly findings), it may be a little bit of a squeeze on these with a house filled with linked gadgets.
Learn our Xfinity Web evaluation.
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Starry Web Finest mounted wi-fi web supplier in Denver
Test availability
Product particulars
Worth vary
$30 – $80 per 30 days
Pace vary
50 – 1,000Mbps
Connection
Mounted wi-fi
Highlights
Limitless knowledge, no contracts, no gear charges, easy setup
Starry garnered some buzz and headlines in 2022. Starry grew to become a publicly traded firm on the New York Inventory Trade in March of that 12 months. Shortly after, it was named one in every of Time Journal’s 100 Most Influential Corporations of 2022. Nonetheless, Starry additionally ended the 12 months on the outs with the NYSE, delisted.
Nonetheless, Starry remains to be kicking, utilizing a millimeter-wave, mounted wi-fi know-how, just like 5G, to ship broadband web service to households (particularly, however not solely, condominium complexes).
Availability: Starry is on the market all through the Denver metro space, together with Alamo Placita, Cherry Hills, Englewood, Glendale, Highlands Sq. and Holly Hills neighborhoods.
Plans and pricing: Most prospects might be eligible for the 200Mbps plan for $50 a month, although some may additionally have entry to Starry Gigabit, an $80-a-month plan that options 1,000Mbps obtain speeds and 500Mbps add.
Charges and repair particulars: Starry’s broadband service options limitless knowledge and no contracts or gear charges. It additionally has a low-cost web program known as Starry Join, which provides broadband entry to residents in public and inexpensive housing (a $15-a-month plan for 30Mbps symmetrical speeds). Starry Join has native partnerships with the Denver Housing Authority, Englewood Housing Authority and Aurora Public Faculties.
Learn our Starry Web evaluation.
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Web suppliers in Denver overview
ProviderInternet technologyMonthly worth rangeSpeed rangeMonthly gear costsData capContractCNET evaluation rating CenturyLink/Quantum Fiber DSL/fiber$30-$7020-940Mbps$15 (non-obligatory)NoneNone6.7Google Fiber Webpass Mounted wi-fi$63-$701,000MbpsNoneNoneNone7.4Rise Broadband Mounted wi-fi$25-$7525-50Mbps$10 modem; $5-$15 router (non-obligatory)250GB or unlimitedNone, however required for some promotions6.2Starry Mounted wi-fi$15-$8030-1,000MbpsNoneNoneNone7T-Cell Residence Web Mounted wi-fi$50 ($30 with eligible telephone plans)72-245MbpsNoneNoneNone7.4Verizon 5G Residence Web Mounted wi-fi$50-$70 (50% off with eligible telephone plans85-1,000MbpsNoneNoneNone7.2Xfinity Cable$20-$30075-6,000Mbps$15 (non-obligatory)1.2TB1-2 years for some plans7
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All accessible Denver residential web suppliers
The Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro space has different web service suppliers past our prime three picks. Listed here are your different ISP choices.
Google Fiber Webpass: This mounted wi-fi resolution from Google Fiber is just like Starry Web. It is targeted on condominium buildings and provides a high-speed service that is one plan solely: symmetrical gigabit speeds for $70 a month (or $63 a month with a yearly plan). Like its Google Fiber providing, Webpass options free set up and requires no contracts and gear charges. Not as extensively accessible within the Mile Excessive Metropolis as Starry Web, Webpass will be discovered at choose addresses within the Highland, River North Artwork District and West Colfax areas.Rise Broadband: Although you could find some availability inside metropolis limits for this mounted wi-fi supplier, it is a likelier resolution for the extra suburban and rural areas of the Denver metro space, together with Evergreen to the west and Parker to the south. You possibly can anticipate to see speeds as excessive as 50Mbps and a few limitless knowledge choices too, so Rise Broadband is a viable choice in rural areas the place satellite tv for pc could also be the primary competitors.Satellite tv for pc web: Regardless of the place you reside within the US, satellite tv for pc web is an choice. Is it the best choice? In all probability not, particularly in case you stay inside Denver metropolis limits. There are going to be cheaper and quicker plans accessible. However in case you’re within the extra rural outskirts of the Mile Excessive Metropolis (I am considering Highlands Ranch, Roxborough Park, Sedalia and the like), you would possibly critically take into account this mode as a means of being linked. HughesNet and Viasat, which each require two-year contract commitments, are your two more than likely decisions. Starlink, which at present has parts of the Denver space on a waitlist (per the Starlink availability map), may be a beautiful various later in 2023. T-Cell Residence Web: T-Cell’s mounted wi-fi resolution makes use of the provider’s 4G LTE and 5G networks to supply mobile web protection on your dwelling. The cellular provider has been aggressively pushing its $50-per-month service, together with such perks as a price-lock assure and a $20 low cost for eligible Magenta Max prospects. It is appealingly simple — no contracts, gear or setup charges and no knowledge caps. Whereas T-Cell Residence Web is on the market all through the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro space, you will must test your handle on the T-Cell website to find out in case you’re eligible for dwelling web service. Ting Web: This fiber web supplier is native to the south Denver suburb of Centennial. It caters to these searching for superfast and dependable web service, that includes a symmetrical 1,000Mbps plan for $89 a month. There’s additionally an inexpensive choice at $19 per 30 days for symmetrical 5Mbps speeds. Tools rental is $9 month-to-month or a one-time price of $199. Suppose you are fascinated with preordering service as a result of Ting shouldn’t be but accessible in your neighborhood. In that case, the corporate requires a $9 deposit, which might be credited again to your first month’s invoice (or refunded if Ting doesn’t finally come to your space).Verizon 5G Residence Web: Verizon’s 5G mounted wi-fi dwelling web product has a better common obtain pace (300Mbps) than T-Cell Residence Web and subscribes to an analogous “every thing’s included in a single worth” method — set up, gear and charges for $50 a month. On prime of that, eligible Verizon Wi-fi prospects can get a 50% low cost in addition. Getty Photos
Web pricing in Denver
If you happen to take a look at the promo costs for all suppliers (and never the common charges that kick in after the introductory interval), the typical beginning worth for web service in Denver is roughly $39 per 30 days. That is fairly good. It places Coloradans’ beloved “Cow City” close to the entrance of the road of different cities CNET has lined to this point, together with Brooklyn ($36 a month), Los Angeles ($38 a month), San Francisco ($40 a month), New York Metropolis ($41 per 30 days), Seattle ($42 a month), Austin, Dallas and Philadelphia (throughout $43 per 30 days), Houston ($45 a month), Phoenix ($46 per 30 days), Atlanta ($47 a month), Orlando and San Antonio ($48 per 30 days) and, all at $50 month-to-month — Charlotte, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Diego and St. Louis.
Low-cost web choices within the Mile Excessive Metropolis
Relating to particular plans, the bottom beginning worth belongs to Starry Join, which provides a low-income web plan of 30Mbps for under $15 a month. Nonetheless, that is solely accessible to eligible public and inexpensive housing complexes. For everybody else, the most cost effective web plan you could find in Denver is Xfinity’s Join plan, which options 75Mbps obtain speeds for $20 per 30 days. Granted, that worth jumps to $50 after your promo interval, however at that time, you may take into account different choices (or negotiate along with your supplier) earlier than committing to that plan on the increased worth.
Talking of low-cost web, notably low-income web choices, try to be conscious that every one the suppliers we have listed additionally take part within the FCC’s Reasonably priced Connectivity Program. It supplies eligible low-income households a $30 month-to-month low cost for inexpensive, high-speed web. The ACP can go in direction of any web plan (not simply lower-tiered choices) from taking part suppliers. In Might 2022, 20 suppliers partnered with the White Home on its digital divide initiatives and vowed to supply plans of a minimum of 100Mbps that prospects may finally get without cost when paired with the ACP.
What are the most cost effective web plans in Denver?
ProviderStarting month-to-month priceMax obtain speedMonthly gear feeContract Starry $15 30MbpsNoneNoneTing Web $20 5Mbps$9 or $199 one-time purchaseNoneXfinity $20 75Mbps$15 (non-obligatory)1 yearRise Broadband $25 25Mbps$10 modem; $5-$15 router (non-obligatory)None, however required for some promotionsCenturyLink $30 200Mbps$15 (non-obligatory)NoneHughesNet $50 25Mbps$15 or $450 one-time purchase2 yearsT-Cell Residence Web $50 ($30 with eligible telephone plans)245MbpsNoneNoneVerizon 5G Residence Web $50 ($25 with eligible telephone plans)300MbpsNoneNoneViasat $70 25Mbps$15 or $300 one-time purchase2 yearsGoogle Fiber Webpass $70 ($63 with 12 months dedication)1,000MbpsNoneNone
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Quickest web suppliers in Denver
Relating to web speeds, “Cow City” is sort of too acceptable. As talked about earlier, Denver did not fare properly on its median obtain web speeds in comparison with different prime US cities. Ookla’s pace take a look at knowledge reveals Xfinity as Denver’s quickest supplier, with a median obtain pace of roughly 232Mbps within the space.
There’s just one main multi-gigabit supplier throughout the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro space — Xfinity’s Gigabit Professional plan, which isn’t extensively accessible. That ought to quickly change as Quantum Fiber (CenturyLink) plans to convey multi-gig plans to the Denver space. However till then, for example that Denver’s not precisely Chattanooga quick concerning web pace.
What are the quickest web plans in Denver?
ProviderMax obtain speedMax add speedStarting month-to-month priceData capContract Xfinity Gigabit Professional 6,000Mbps6,000Mbps$300 None2 yearsXfinity Gigabit X2 2,000Mbps35Mbps$120 1.2TBNoneXfinity Gigabit Further 1,200Mbps35Mbps$80 NoneNoneTing Web 1,000Mbps1,000Mbps$90 $9 or $199 one-time purchaseNoneStarry Gigabit 1,000Mbps500Mbps$80 NoneNoneGoogle Fiber Webpass 1,000Mbps1,000Mbps70 ($63 with 12 months dedication)NoneNoneXfinity Gigabit 1,000Mbps35Mbps$75 NoneNoneCenturyLink 940Mbps940Mbps$70 NoneNone
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The ultimate phrase on Denver web suppliers
When you can definitely discover methods to attach in Denver, there aren’t the identical variety of choices accessible right here as you would possibly discover in another massive cities throughout the nation. Xfinity’s cable web — and the seven totally different plans it provides — will in all probability be your prime choice, but when your handle is serviceable for CenturyLink’s fiber providing (and ensure it is fiber, not the DSL service), make that your first alternative.
How CNET selected the perfect web suppliers in Denver
Web service suppliers are quite a few and regional. Not like the most recent smartphone, laptop computer, router or kitchen software, it’s impractical to personally take a look at each ISP in a given metropolis. So what’s our method? We begin by researching the pricing, availability and pace data drawing on our personal historic ISP knowledge, the supplier websites and mapping data from the Federal Communications Fee at FCC.gov.
However it doesn’t finish there. We go to the FCC’s web site to test our knowledge and guarantee we’re contemplating each ISP that gives service in an space. We additionally enter native addresses on supplier web sites to search out particular choices for residents. To judge how glad prospects are with an ISP’s service, we take a look at sources together with the American Buyer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Energy. ISP plans and costs are topic to frequent modifications; all data supplied is correct as of the time of publication.
As soon as we have now this localized data, we ask three principal questions:
Does the supplier supply entry to moderately quick web speeds? Do prospects get first rate worth for what they’re paying? Are prospects pleased with their service?
Whereas the reply to these questions is commonly layered and sophisticated, the suppliers who come closest to “sure” on all three are those we suggest.
To discover our course of in additional depth, go to our How We Check ISPs web page.
Finest web suppliers in Denver FAQs
How a lot does low-cost web service price in Denver?
Denver’s common beginning worth for web service is roughly $39 a month. The most cost effective web plan in Denver is Starry Join, a low-income, 30Mbps web plan accessible in public and inexpensive housing for $15 per 30 days. Subsequent is Xfinity’s Join plan, which supplies 75Mbps for $20 month-to-month. If you happen to take into account worth, CenturyLink’s fiber gigabit plan ($70 a month) provides strong affordability at simply over 7 cents per Mbps. Whereas different suppliers might need cheaper plans, none within the Denver metro space provides a greater worth.
Which supplier has the perfect web service in Denver?
We are saying it on a regular basis, nevertheless it’s true — the perfect web service for you is determined by what’s accessible at your handle. When you think about the entire of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood metro space, you would possibly lean in direction of Xfinity, because it’s essentially the most extensively accessible and provides the best number of plan choices. However for residents who’re serviceable for CenturyLink’s fiber web (notably its very inexpensive gigabit plan), that supplier will probably win your vote as “Denver’s greatest.”
Are there fiber web suppliers in Denver?
Sure. CenturyLink supplies the realm’s majority of fiber protection, although, considerably confusingly, some areas will see “Quantum Fiber,” which remains to be CenturyLink. Muddying the waters even additional, not all CenturyLink service within the Denver metro space is fiber — a majority remains to be the a lot slower and fewer dependable DSL. Xfinity’s Gigabit Professional plan is a 100% fiber choice however has very restricted availability. Though Google Fiber has a presence within the metropolis, it is not the corporate’s fiber-optic service, however a fixed-wireless choice known as Google Fiber Webpass. Lastly, Ting Web has a fiber web providing, nevertheless it’s not accessible inside metropolis limits, solely in Centennial, simply south of the town.