For the third straight year, Longmont’s NextLight internet service is among the top performers in PCMag’s speed index, leading its seven-state region and ranking among the fastest in the nation.

NextLight easily outpaced all other providers in the seven-state region of Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming, with speeds that were about twice as fast as the nearest competitor. Earlier this year, NextLight also ranked no. 3 on PCMag’s list of gaming ISPs in the region, due to its combination of high speed and low latency.

“It’s been exciting to see NextLight get this sort of national recognition year after year,” said NextLight Executive Director Valerie Dodd. “It’s a compliment to the community who made it all possible and who continues to power our growth and success. Even in the midstof a pandemic, Longmont’s residents and businesses have supported us as they know we will always be there for them with the best internet around.”

In 2019, NextLight was also recognized as one of the most affordable ISPs in the nation by BroadbandNow. This year, the community-owned service has taken that a step further by introducing discounted home internet rates for income-qualified customers and for households that have been financially impacted by COVID-19. Interested residents can call 303-774-4494 for more information.

The building of the NextLight network made Longmont into Colorado’s first Gig City in 2017 and was a factor in the community receiving All-America City honors from the National Civic League in 2018. The service offers gigabit uploads and downloads citywide without data caps or contracts.

PCMag’s top national rankings, which appeared Friday, included a number of municipal providers such as NextLight; EPB of Chattanooga, Tenn.; and this year’s No. 1 winner, Cedar Falls Utilities of Cedar Falls, Iowa.

“These days, the real players are the municipal ISPs,” PCMag said.