Technology
Aurora's Broadband Options: Cable Dominance, Limited Fiber for Remote Work
Professionals evaluating internet options in Aurora need to weigh cable dominance against limited fiber reach when selecting service for job applications and remote tasks.
How we reported this
Aurora addresses receive cable broadband service at 99 percent coverage, 27 points above the national average, according to data compiled at findbetterinternet.com. Fixed wireless and 5G home internet reach 60 percent of addresses, double the national figure of 32 percent. These figures give most residents multiple choices for connectivity suited to online job searches and video calls.
Provider Landscape
Seventeen internet providers operate in the city, including eight that deliver fiber service. Xfinity supplies cable to 99.2 percent of addresses while AT&T reaches 89.3 percent of the city. Fiber service itself covers 27 to 35 percent of residents, with AT&T Fiber advertising up to 5,000 Mbps download and Metronet and T-Mobile Fiber advertising up to 2,000 Mbps. Average measured speeds across households stand at 262 Mbps download and 89 Mbps upload.
DSL and fixed wireless fill gaps in the remaining areas. Maximum advertised fiber speeds reach 7,000 Mbps in select neighborhoods. Job seekers and professionals working from home can use these speeds for large file transfers and multiple simultaneous video meetings, though availability depends on exact address.
Municipal Network Status
The city has run OnLight Aurora, a 137-mile middle-mile fiber network, since 2013. The network serves institutional users and third-party operators but has posted ongoing losses, including $270,000 in 2023. Residential expansion has not advanced beyond the current footprint.
Workers and job seekers should verify service at their location through provider websites before signing contracts. Checking current promotions and contract terms at the time of inquiry helps match speed tiers to specific work needs such as cloud collaboration tools or virtual interviews.