Pricing and costs of wireless Internet providers in Colorado vary depending on what kind of service you need for your business. One option is to get a fixed wireless access service for your Colorado business or home office. This requires an Internet connection as well as wireless equipment for your network.

A more common use for wireless access is for travelers to access the Internet through a wireless connection when they are traveling or vacationing. Business travelers need wireless Internet. Colorado is home to many libraries, hotels and restaurants that offer free wireless Internet to travelers. To get connected, you need the right equipment in your laptop. To determine how much you'll need to pay to get wireless high-speed Internet in Colorado:

1. Determine setup and monthly costs for Colorado wireless Internet companies;

2. Find out what wireless providers charge to access their service;

3. Get pricing for the equipment you need for a laptop or wireless network.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Get pricing for fixed Colorado high-speed wireless service

A fixed wireless Internet service is service in a home or office that is connected to a provider through microwave transmission and does not require satellite, cable or phone service. It's often used in areas that do not have the infrastructure for other Internet service. Some carriers also offer fixed wireless configuration services for facilities that wish to provide wireless access for customers and employees.

I recommend: Zirkel Wireless offers wireless service to businesses that is in the $50-$75 range for basic service, to more than $300 for high bandwidth. Resort Broadband provides high-speed wireless Internet service to resorts, condominiums, businesses and residences. They provide several levels of coverage, depending on the infrastructure and coverage that is already in place. Introductory prices range from $30 to $100 per month, and $250-to-$500 for setup and equipment costs.

Find free wireless Internet service in Colorado

Many public places offer wireless service in Colorado. While the service itself is free, you'll normally have to make a purchase to be able to enjoy it.

I recommend: Get wireless service for the cost of a cup of coffee or a lunch at the many cafes and restaurants in Colorado. Many hotels also offer free wireless as part of their package. EZ Goal Network lists such hotspots throughout the state that offer wireless Internet service. Colorado residents and visitors can also get truly free access at any Aurora Public Library branch.

Price equipment for wireless Internet access in Colorado

Whether your business is seeking wireless for a single laptop or a whole network, you'll need to buy some equipment. Current laptop and notebook computers usually come with a wireless network card built in. If your laptop doesn't have one you'll need to purchase one. For networks, normally a wireless access point or a wireless router may be required. Computers will also need a wireless card installed to communicate with the network.

I recommend: CDW offers network cards from a variety of manufacturers. Most are in the $35 to $70 price range. NewEgg features wireless cards and adapters with similar price ranges. For networking, Belkin offers wireless routers for less than $100. Netgear offers wireless access points from around $100 to more than $300.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Remember to factor in the cost of installing and configuring equipment for Colorado high-speed wireless. If you don't have your own IT staff, you may need a qualified service provider to get your network up and running. Hourly fees can be $50 per hour and higher.

Wireless Internet providers in Colorado conveniently allow you to access the Internet from wherever you are. This is good news for business owners and employees that frequently travel. All you need to do is make sure that your computer is set up to use Colorado wireless Internet and you are online in no time.

Although some people use a wireless Internet connection with desktop computers at home, Colorado wireless Internet service is more common among laptop users who need Internet access on-the-go, like business travelers.

Some of the benefits of using wireless Internet providers in Colorado are:

1. You can easily stay connected to your business when you travel. With wireless Internet access in Colorado, you can check your email as often as you would like.

2. You and your employees can work outside the office. These days, many enjoy the freedom that comes with being able to work at home. This is an option with a wireless Internet connection. Workers are also able to access files while they are at client sites.

3. Contractors in your office will not require a separate workstation. When they have wireless Internet service, Colorado businesses do not need to sacrifice their precious resources for non-employees.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Book a hotel that offers free wireless Internet service in Colorado

If you are traveling, it is convenient to stay in a hotel that offers free wireless Internet. Colorado hotels frequently offer this service. If it is a high priority, always ask before booking.

I recommend: Many hotels in the Choice Hotels International family (including Econo Lodge and Comfort Inn) offer Colorado wireless Internet in their Denver hotels. The Holiday Inn hotels also offer free wireless Internet in all US hotels.

Locate a free Colorado wireless Internet provider wherever you go

Many businesses provide free wireless Internet access at their locations. Typically, these are coffee shops and you must buy a coffee to gain access. Still, that's cheap and convenient.

I recommend: The Wi-Fi FreeSpot Directory has a comprehensive list of hotspots in Colorado. Many Starbucks also offer wireless Internet service. Colorado businesses and travelers can search for a nearby Starbucks that provides service.

Offer Colorado wireless Internet service in your office

Of course, your regular employees can access the Internet from a regular cable connection. However, if you sign up with wireless Internet providers in Colorado, contractors and other visitors will appreciate the ability to use their own computers.

I recommend: PCI Broadband offers wireless high speed Internet in Colorado. Also providing wireless Internet, Colorado Wireless Exchange Cooperative, is a non-profit organization.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When they are using wireless broadband Internet, Colorado business owners should make sure that their connection is secure. If not, other people may try to use your Colorado wireless Internet service free. This is a process called 'piggy-backing.'

Wireless Internet providers in Colorado advice and ratings are typically based on general factors such as customer support, price, speed and quality of service. Ratings on wireless Internet services also rely on specific factors like the ability to roam between different providers. Wireless Internet providers also may be rated on value-added features, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) and Virtual Private Networking (VPN).

Colorado wireless Internet service frequently offers service in rural areas where cable and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL) do not cover. For this reason, businesses in rural areas are especially dependent upon ratings and advice on wireless Internet services. There are three general sources for evaluating wireless Internet providers:

1. Blogs about wireless Internet in Colorado. A credible blog or other type of social media may include posts from regular users who share their personal experiences with a Colorado wireless Internet provider.
2. Ratings services of Colorado wireless Internet providers. Recognized experts may provide ratings or give awards to Internet service providers that offer exceptional service.
3. Awards for Colorado wireless Internet providers. This form of recognition may be given to companies that demonstrate excellence in a particular area or field.
   

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Read web logs (blogs) for a Colorado wireless Internet service provider

Blogs contain posts from Internet users and professionals who have personal experience with Internet service providers. These blogs also discuss issues that are important to Internet service providers in Colorado.

I recommend: Dave's Download at U.S. News & World Report provides a blog entry on wireless Internet access of interest to Internet users in Colorado and across the nation. NetEqualizer News Blog has a blog entry on APconnections, an Internet provider based in Colorado.

Review rating services for wireless high speed Internet in Colorado

Rating services provide relative ratings on Internet service providers and also may offer analyses. The ratings are frequently contributed by readers who have actually used the service.

I recommend: My3cents provides reviews on a variety of wireless Internet service providers who offer services in Colorado. EZ Goal Network offers ratings on Wi-Fi hotspots in Colorado.

Look for articles on award-winning Colorado wireless Internet companies

Awards can be an excellent way of identifying the best wireless Internet service providers in Colorado. Awards recipients compete against other providers and may need to meet specific criteria.

I recommend: The Post Independent reports that Sopris Surfer won the Local's Choice 2008 for best Internet provider in Glenwood Springs. MarketWatch.com reports that Atlantic-ACM awarded U.S. Sprint, a wireless Internet provider with service in Colorado, the 2009 Global Wholesale Best in Class Award for Data Product Quality.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A highly rated wireless Internet service in Colorado should belong to the Wi-Fi Alliance. This organization is a non-profit organization that promotes wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs). The Wi-Fi Alliance has certification and testing programs that establish the interoperability of wireless products. The use of Wi-Fi certified products continues to expand in both consumer and enterprise markets.

When you decide to get wireless service for your Colorado based business, you'll see that there are many wireless Internet providers to choose from. Get to know some of the lingo and terminology used by wireless providers. An understanding of these key terms can help you choose the company that will provide the best coverage for your needs and location.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Hot spot

Hot spots are locations that provide free wireless Internet access. These locations are usually libraries, coffee shops and restaurants. In some cases you'll need to make a purchase to take advantage of Internet service.

I recommend: The Wi-Fi FreeSpot Directory provides a list of hot spots in Colorado.

Colorado Wireless Exchange Cooperative

The Colorado Wireless Exchange Cooperative is a member-owned and operated non-profit cooperative that provides high-speed wireless data connectivity for residential, business and government customers. The coop uses a combination of repeater radios to offer bi-directional high-speed data connections in areas where fiber and other alternatives are not available.

I recommend: See the Colorado Wireless Exchange Cooperative website for more information.

BWE WISP Directory

The Broadband Wireless Exchange (BWE) is a private corporation that promotes companies in the broadband wireless industry. It provides a database of Colorado wireless providers.

I recommend: View the directory of Colorado wireless providers at the Broadband Wireless Exchange website.

Antenna

Wireless Internet requires a wireless antenna. Providers either offer an antenna as part of the installation service or recommend an antenna for customers to purchase. Some specifications to examine in an antenna include range, supported protocols, latency, frequency and polarization. An antenna also should have an all-weather enclosure.

I recommend: See Precision Communications for a list of necessary antenna specs.

Internet Service Agreement

Most wireless providers will provide an Internet Service Agreement. This agreement specifies information about payment, bandwidth, services and support.

I recommend: See Zirkel Wireless, a Colorado wireless provider, for an example of an Internet Service Agreement.

Remote support

Some Internet wireless providers offer remote support. With this feature, customers can click on a screen to give support technicians access to a computer that is having a problem. This allows the provider to troubleshoot and repair the problem, without any involvement from the customer.

I recommend: Check out AZCI for information about the provider's remote support services.