If you are looking for high-speed internet in Boulder, there is good news and bad news. The good news is that more than all but about .05% of the city can get high-speed internet coverage. The bad: there are only five providers outside of satellite.
For internet in the town of Boulder, your options are Rise Broadband, Ultra Home Internet, Live Wire Networks, CenturyLink, and Xfinity. Pickings are even slimmer in Valmont, where your only options for broadband are CenturyLink, Live Wire, and Ultra Home and Tall Timber (CenturyLink and Rise).
6 Internet Service Providers in Boulder
To avoid wasting your time, providers with less than 1% coverage in Boulder are not shown.
Choosing A Residential ISP In Boulder
We'll keep this short and sweet: Xfinity is the #1 broadband Internet Service Provider in Boulder. Not only does it have the widest coverage (the University of Colorado Boulder campus is the only area a residential connection is not available), it's also the fastest with speeds that are actually around 120 Mbps faster than your only fiber option, which is CenturyLink.
Another perk of going with Comcast's branded internet is the rewards. While these change often, when you sign up for a bundle, you may wind up with free movies or other treats as a thank you for supporting Xfinity.
Before you sign up, make sure that you're ready for a one or two-year commitment since Xfinity does require a contract to get the best deal.
Boulder Satellite TV & Internet Providers
DISH Satellite TV
DIRECTV Satellite TV
Not sure whether to choose Dish or DIRECTV? For most people most of the time we recommend DISH. But click here to learn more.
HughesNet Satellite Internet
Where in Boulder is internet available?
Internet Availability Key
Internet service is available in 99.95% of Boulder. Areas in green are more likely to have fiber, cable, DSL, or fixed wireless internet service. Areas in red may be more reliant on satellite service. The most widely available provider is XFINITY. Call one of the companies with service in Boulder above to see who has service at your home, or click the technology to see where it can be found in Boulder.
How fast are internet speeds in Boulder?
The map below shows maximum internet speeds by area in Boulder.
Internet Speed Key
The average Boulder home can get up to 958 Mbps on their internet plan. For most people, the fastest download speed in the city is 10,000 Mbps, which less than 1% of residents can get. Some homes and apartments do not have access to these speeds. On the slower end, for example, less than 1% of homes can only purchase plans up to 20 Mbps. See the internet provider details below for info about their speed and coverage in Boulder.
Internet speeds tend to be faster in the southeast parts of Boulder, and slower in the northeast areas of the city.
What type of internet should I choose in Boulder?
The fastest internet for you may vary based on where in Boulder you live. If speed is your main concern, cable will be the fastest internet in the city.
- Fiber is the fastest internet type for less than 1% of Boulder homes.
- Cable is fastest for 94.64% of the city.
- DSL is fastest for 1.61%.
- Fixed wireless is fastest for 3.03%.
- Satellite internet may be the only option for less than 1% of Boulder homes.
Internet Market Health in Boulder
Internet Competition Key
The map shows how competitive the Boulder internet service market is. Areas in green have more alternatives, areas in yellow have a few choices, and areas in red may have only one provider. More competition usually means faster speeds and better prices for you, the customer.
Below are quick facts on internet competition and market health in Boulder based on what connections the average home has availabile:
- Average number of internet service providers to a home: 4.1 (very healthy)
- Average types of service (fiber, cable, DSL, etc): 3.4 (very healthy)
- Average providers with broadband (25 Mbps+) speeds: 3.8 (very healthy)
Overall, competition is very healthy.
Boulder internet customers have the ability to buy internet service from 1 to 6 different providers, depending on where they live. For different types of service, Boulder homes have between 1 and 4 options. The type(s) of service available are cable, fixed wireless, dsl, and fiber, though these may vary depending on the region within the city.
When it comes to broadband download speeds faster than 25 Mbps, the situation is worse. Boulder internet customers who want faster speeds have between 0 and 6 choices of companies offering speeds up to or over 25 Mbps.
More internet companies with faster speeds means fewer monopolies and better prices for customers. In promoting a free market for internet, Boulder is doing quite well.
TV & Internet Providers in Depth
Below you'll find which TV and internet providers offer service in Boulder, along with details on where in Boulder and at what speeds.
XFINITY from Comcast Cable in Boulder, CO
XFINITY cable coverage
About 94.66%, or 105,783 people, have XFINITY cable internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Boulder area. XFINITY is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Boulder.
XFINITY from Comcast cable download speeds
XFINITY is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Boulder. Versus other cable providers in the area, XFINITY cable is the fastest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Boulder. The fastest plan anyone in Boulder can order from XFINITY goes up to 1,000 Mbps, and all Boulder customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 1,000.0 Mbps
XFINITY from Comcast cable upload speeds
In Boulder download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for XFINITY cable. Compared to other ISPs, XFINITY is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Boulder cable providers. XFINITY offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Boulder is up to 35 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 35.0 Mbps
Centurylink DSL in Boulder, CO
Centurylink DSL coverage
About 90.04%, or 100,616 people, have Centurylink DSL internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Boulder area. Centurylink is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in most of Boulder.
Centurylink DSL download speeds
Centurylink is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Boulder. Versus other DSL providers in the area, Centurylink DSL is the fastest. There are 17 different maximum speeds throughout Boulder. The fastest plan anyone in Boulder can order from Centurylink goes up to 140 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 0.50 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Boulder customers is up to 76 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 19.6% up to 140.0 Mbps
- 1.6% up to 120.0 Mbps
- 30.0% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 9.0% up to 80.0 Mbps
- 5.6% up to 60.0 Mbps
- 5.1% up to 40.0 Mbps
- 0.9% up to 30.0 Mbps
- 16.3% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 1.3% up to 15.0 Mbps
- 0.4% up to 12.0 Mbps
- 0.3% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 1.0% up to 7.0 Mbps
- 1.3% up to 6.0 Mbps
- 0.3% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 4.7% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 2.0% up to 1.5 Mbps
- 0.7% up to 0.5 Mbps
Centurylink DSL upload speeds
In Boulder download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Centurylink DSL. Compared to other ISPs, Centurylink is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Boulder DSL providers. Centurylink offers 15 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Boulder is up to 40 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 0.25 Mbps. On average, Centurylink customers can get speeds up to 9.1 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 0.7% up to 40.0 Mbps
- 20.6% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 12.0 Mbps
- 39.1% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 7.0% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 2.9% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 1.4% up to 2.0 Mbps
- 15.8% up to 1.5 Mbps
- 0.7% up to 1.0 Mbps
- 1.4% up to 0.9 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 0.8 Mbps
- 1.4% up to 0.8 Mbps
- 2.1% up to 0.5 Mbps
- 6.1% up to 0.5 Mbps
- 0.7% up to 0.3 Mbps
Centurylink Fiber in Boulder, CO
Centurylink fiber coverage
About 61.45%, or 68,672 people, have Centurylink fiber internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Boulder area. Centurylink is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in a majority of Boulder.
Centurylink fiber download speeds
Centurylink is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Boulder. Versus other fiber providers in the area, Centurylink fiber is below average. There are 7 different maximum speeds throughout Boulder. The fastest plan anyone in Boulder can order from Centurylink goes up to 940 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 20 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Boulder customers is up to 883 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 93.2% up to 940.0 Mbps
- 2.7% up to 150.0 Mbps
- 2.4% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 0.3% up to 80.0 Mbps
- 0.7% up to 60.0 Mbps
- 0.6% up to 40.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 20.0 Mbps
Centurylink fiber upload speeds
In Boulder download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Centurylink fiber. Compared to other ISPs, Centurylink is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Boulder fiber providers. Centurylink offers 9 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Boulder is up to 940 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 0.90 Mbps. On average, Centurylink customers can get speeds up to 878 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 93.2% up to 940.0 Mbps
- 0.9% up to 100.0 Mbps
- 0.7% up to 50.0 Mbps
- 0.2% up to 40.0 Mbps
- 2.7% up to 20.0 Mbps
- 0.9% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 1.1% up to 5.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 3.0 Mbps
- 0.1% up to 0.9 Mbps
Live Wire Networks Fixed Wireless in Boulder, CO
Live Wire Networks fixed wireless coverage
About 71.64%, or 80,054 people, have Live Wire Networks fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Boulder area. Live Wire Networks is a large internet service provider internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in much of Boulder.
Live Wire Networks fixed wireless download speeds
Live Wire Networks is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Boulder. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Live Wire Networks fixed wireless is the fastest. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Boulder. The fastest plan anyone in Boulder can order from Live Wire Networks goes up to 100 Mbps, and all Boulder customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 100.0 Mbps
Live Wire Networks fixed wireless upload speeds
In Boulder download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Live Wire Networks fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, Live Wire Networks is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and the fastest compared to other Boulder fixed wireless providers. Live Wire Networks offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Boulder is up to 25 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 25.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet in Boulder, CO
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless coverage
About 47.15%, or 52,686 people, have T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Boulder area. T-Mobile Home Internet is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in some of Boulder.
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless download speeds
T-Mobile Home Internet is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Boulder. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless is below average. There are no different maximum speeds throughout Boulder. The fastest plan anyone in Boulder can order from T-Mobile Home Internet goes up to 25 Mbps, and all Boulder customers can get this speed.
Show all download speeds
- 100.0% up to 25.0 Mbps
T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless upload speeds
In Boulder download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for T-Mobile Home Internet fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, T-Mobile Home Internet is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and below average compared to other Boulder fixed wireless providers. T-Mobile Home Internet offers no different upload speeds across the city. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Boulder is up to 3.0 Mbps, which is available to everyone covered.
Show all upload speeds
- 100.0% up to 3.0 Mbps
Rise Broadband Fixed Wireless in Boulder, CO
Rise Broadband fixed wireless coverage
About 42.50%, or 47,490 people, have Rise Broadband fixed wireless internet available to them in the city. The company covers the entire Boulder area. Rise Broadband is one of the largest internet service providers internet service providers in the US, with internet service available in some of Boulder.
Rise Broadband fixed wireless download speeds
Rise Broadband is below average when comparing download speeds to all other internet providers in Boulder. Versus other fixed wireless providers in the area, Rise Broadband fixed wireless is above average. There are 3 different maximum speeds throughout Boulder. The fastest plan anyone in Boulder can order from Rise Broadband goes up to 250 Mbps, the slowest package only goes up to 25 Mbps, and the city-wide average maximum speed for Boulder customers is up to 66 Mbps.
Show all download speeds
- 8.5% up to 250.0 Mbps
- 86.8% up to 50.0 Mbps
- 4.7% up to 25.0 Mbps
Rise Broadband fixed wireless upload speeds
In Boulder download speeds tend to be than upload speeds for Rise Broadband fixed wireless. Compared to other ISPs, Rise Broadband is below average where upload speeds are concerned, and above average compared to other Boulder fixed wireless providers. Rise Broadband offers 3 different upload speeds across the city, so your internet plan's upload speed may vary by neighborhood. The fastest upload speed available to anyone from this ISP in Boulder is up to 50 Mbps. Some customers have slower plan choices, which only go up to 5.0 Mbps. On average, Rise Broadband customers can get speeds up to 13 Mbps.
Show all upload speeds
- 8.5% up to 50.0 Mbps
- 86.8% up to 10.0 Mbps
- 4.7% up to 5.0 Mbps
Boulder Internet by Area
This information is most helpful to those looking for homes or considering moving to Boulder or any of the areas nearby.
How does internet in Boulder compare to the rest of Colorado?
Internet speeds in Boulder are comparable versus the average speeds in Colorado: 972 Mbps in Colorado versus 958 Mbps in the city. The state has similar internet availability compared to the city. Average internet coverage in Colorado is 99.71% versus 99.95% in Boulder.
What zip codes have widespread internet?
Internet coverage varies by zip code and neighborhood. Some examples in or around Boulder are shown below. You can enter any zip code here to see TV and internet providers by zip code.
What does internet service look like in other cities?
Below are cities nearby and with similar populations. This comparison can be useful if living somewhere with fast internet is important to you.
Nearby Cities
- Valmont, CO: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Seven Hills, CO: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Gunbarrel, CO: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Tall Timber, CO: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Crisman, CO: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Sunshine, CO: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Louisville, CO: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Eldorado Springs, CO: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Niwot, CO: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Superior, CO: less internet coverage, slower speeds
Cities with Similar Populations
- Silver Spring, MD: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Norman, OK: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Fargo, ND: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Saginaw, MI: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Independence, MO: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- College Station, TX: more internet coverage, slower speeds
- Thornton, CO: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Newark, DE: less internet coverage, faster speeds
- Peoria, IL: more internet coverage, faster speeds
- Elgin, IL: less internet coverage, faster speeds