Compare 81321 internet speeds to the national average
Download Speeds
Cortez – 68 Mbps
CO – 138 Mbps
U.S. – 123 Mbps
Upload Speeds
Cortez – 31 Mbps
CO – 38 Mbps
U.S. – 44 Mbps
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Cortez.
Internet providers in 81321
Find internet providers serving the 81321 area. Compare plan pricing and speeds from fiber-optic, cable and DSL providers.
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Internet providers in your area
81321 internet providers
| Provider | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink | $50.00 ** | 10 - 940 Mbps | DSL | 84% |
BendBroadband  | - | 300 - 1,000 Mbps | Cable | 64% |
| HughesNet | $64.99 | 25 - 25 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Viasat | $69.99 | 12 - 150 Mbps | Satellite | 100% |
| Tarkus Enterprises | $49.99 | 5 - 25 Mbps | Wireless | 3.810% |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
**Speeds/pricing may vary. Service is not available everywhere.
Need help?81321 internet service at a glance
Broadband availability
5485
people have access to broadband internet of any type
1 provider - 99.52%
2 providers - 63.61%
3 providers - 0%
4+ providers - 0%
Source: FCC
At 83%, broadband coverage in the 81321 ZIP code is comparable to the rest of Colorado - 91%, and slightly lower than broadband coverage across the U.S. - 95%.
The vast majority of those living in the 81321 ZIP will have access to cable, which covers 61% of households. Fiber-optic internet is also an option for many, offering service to 38% of the area. DSL is less available but still a popular internet option for roughly 10% of those living in the 81321 ZIP code.
There are five internet providers serving the 81321 area, and 63.61% of households will have internet options from more than one provider. Among five internet providers in 81321, prices start at $49.99 and available download speeds reach up to 1,000 Mbps.
Results from real users
Average internet speeds in Cortez
| Provider | Download speed | Upload speed | Internet type |
|---|---|---|---|
| CenturyLink | 37 Mbps | 7 Mbps | DSL |
*Data sourced from M-LAB speed tests taken by real users in Cortez.
Top high-speed internet providers in 81321
The largest internet providers serving the 81321 ZIP code are CenturyLink, HughesNet, and Viasat bringing DSL and satellite options to the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink is available to most in the 81321 ZIP code, covering 84% of households. Many will also have the option of satellite from HughesNet, which covers 100% of the area. Cortez’s third most-available internet provider, Viasat, offers satellite to around 100% of residents in the 81321 ZIP code.
CenturyLink DSL internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
DSL from CenturyLink offers broadband to nearly all households in the 81321 ZIP code, covering 84% of the area.
DSL internet from CenturyLink uses telephone lines to deliver service, which often leads to lower prices and higher availability, though download speeds are likely to be slower than cable or fiber-optic internet.
Internet prices for CenturyLink start at $50/mo.*, which is lower than the average starting price for internet in Cortez, $58.74.
CenturyLink customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 10 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $5.00 per Mbps, about the same as the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Cortez, $4.52.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, CenturyLink offers download speeds up to 940 Mbps and upload speeds up to 40 Mbps in 81321 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 84% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Cortez's providers, 39 Mbps.
HughesNet satellite internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
Satellite from HughesNet offers broadband to all households in the 81321 ZIP code, covering 100% of the area.
HughesNet satellite internet offers reliable connection throughout the 81321 ZIP where other internet types may not be available, but service is likely to come with low monthly data allowances and high latency, making streaming binges and real-time online gaming impractical.
Internet prices for HughesNet start at $64.99/mo.*, which is higher than the average starting price for internet in Cortez, $58.74.
HughesNet customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 25 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $2.60 per Mbps, lower than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Cortez, $4.52.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, HughesNet offers download speeds up to 25 Mbps and upload speeds up to 3 Mbps in 81321 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 100% of the area, and are about the same as the average max speeds from all Cortez's providers, 39 Mbps.
Viasat satellite internet
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*Wireless speeds may vary. Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. As of Sep 23, 2022.
Satellite from Viasat offers broadband to all households in the 81321 ZIP code, covering 100% of the area.
Viasat satellite internet offers reliable connection throughout the 81321 ZIP where other internet types may not be available, but service is likely to come with low monthly data allowances and high latency, making streaming binges and real-time online gaming impractical.
Internet prices for Viasat start at $69.99/mo.*, which is significantly higher than the average starting price for internet in Cortez, $58.74.
Viasat customers who choose the lowest-priced plan can expect speeds up to 12 Mbps, which comes to an estimated $5.83 per Mbps, higher than the average cost per Mbps for the lowest priced plans in Cortez, $4.52.
For those who value internet speed as much as cost, Viasat offers download speeds up to 150 Mbps and upload speeds up to 1 Mbps in 81321 ZIP code. These download speeds are available to 100% of the area, and are much faster than the average max speeds from all Cortez's providers, 39 Mbps.
Internet providers in 81321 frequently asked questions
BendBroadband is the fastest internet provider in the 81321 ZIP code with download speeds up to 1,000 Mbps. These speeds are available to 64% of households in 81321. The next fastest internet provider in the 81321 ZIP code is CenturyLink, offering download speeds up to 940 Mbps to 84% of the area.
Tarkus Enterprises offers the cheapest internet in the 81321 ZIP with service starting at $49.99/mo. This is slightly less than the average starting price for internet in Cortez, $58.74.
According to the FCC, 93% of households have access to three or more providers. In many areas, a cable, DSL, satellite and possibly fiber-optic provider may be available. You are unlikely, however, to find multiple providers of the same internet type, such as two cable providers, in the same location because operating expenses in an area already served by another provider can be too high to be profitable.
Each video streaming service has varying recommended speeds, but speeds up to 10 Mbps will often handle streaming on one device. For HD and 4K streaming, consider faster speeds of at least 25 Mbps to reduce buffering and maintain optimal picture quality.
Cable internet will nearly always offer faster speeds than DSL, but typically at a higher price point. So if you’re shopping for cheap internet plans, DSL may be your better option but if you want speed, consider cable internet.
Available providers vary by address, but your location is likely serviceable for cable and DSL internet. Fiber internet may also be an internet option, but this technology is typically found in larger cities. Those living in rural areas not serviceable for cable, DSL or fiber internet may find satellite or fixed wireless internet to be their only options.
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