While internet speeds in rural areas are improving, they’re still slower than those found in urban areas. That’s because faster options like cable and fiber aren’t as available in rural America.
Luckily, wired connections are starting to become more common in rural communities. Providers like CenturyLink offer internet services that can surpass dial-up speeds.
Satellite
When looking for a rural internet provider, you’ll want to find one that offers the right speeds and packages for your home. If you’re doing data-heavy activities like streaming, gaming, or videoconferencing, you’ll need more speed than someone checking email or browsing the web. Also, be sure to check the terms and conditions of each provider to avoid any surprises down the line. Some ISPs offer sweet promotional deals to lure in customers, only to lower prices later.
For those who live in remote areas, satellite internet is often their only option. Although it’s not as fast as fiber or cable, it’s a good choice for people who need to access the internet for work or other tasks that require a steady connection. However, satellite internet has its drawbacks, including slow speeds and high latency.
One way to increase the speed of your satellite internet is by using a Wi-Fi extender. This device plugs into your router and sends a signal to other devices within the range of the extender, allowing them to use the internet at faster speeds. Another option is getting a satellite booster, which boosts your home’s signal and increases speed. However, this is more expensive than using a Wi-Fi extender and requires professional installation.
Another way to improve the speed of your satellite internet is to purchase a high-powered antenna. This is a cheaper alternative to purchasing a new router, and it can sometimes be found in rural areas. However, it is important to note that this type of antenna does not provide as much coverage as an outdoor satellite dish.
Another option for improving the speed of your rural internet is to switch to a lower-tier plan. Many satellite providers offer “lite” plans with lower peak bit rates and reduced bandwidth allowances, which can help save money in the long run. However, be aware that if you exceed your limit, the company may slow down your service, deprioritize your traffic, or charge you for excess usage. These limitations can be frustrating for people who rely on their internet connections for work or entertainment.
Fixed Wireless
Whether you live in a city or rural area, you need a fast internet connection to be productive and stay connected with family, friends, colleagues, and clients. Unlike the days when a slow or unreliable connection was considered a luxury, nowadays, the internet is essential for many aspects of modern life. Whether you work remotely, access telehealth services, or attend online classes, a high-speed internet connection is necessary for your well-being and livelihood.
Thankfully, there are many ways to get reliable broadband internet in remote areas. The most common internet options are based on DSL, fiber, or satellite technology. But setting up this infrastructure is expensive and requires significant investment from providers. This doesn’t make sense for providers in rural communities where the ROI is low.
In order to address this problem, several providers are starting to offer fixed wireless connections for rural areas. These companies, often called WISPs (Wireless Internet Service Providers), use cellular networks to deliver broadband internet to households in rural communities that DSL, cable, or fiber can’t serve.
As a result, these providers are able to offer competitive prices and broadband speeds. For example, Rise Broadband is available in 18 states and offers plans with speeds up to 25 Mbps. This is still slower than the top packages offered by satellite providers like Viasat, but it is more than sufficient for most users in rural areas.
Another benefit of fixed wireless is its lower latency, which is the time it takes for a signal to travel from your home to the internet provider’s network. This is because fixed wireless technology uses a radio transmitter that communicates with satellites in orbit above the Earth. In contrast, satellite technology relies on a satellite dish that sits in your yard and transmits the internet signal from the sky.
Despite its advantages, there are some downsides to fixed wireless. As with all wireless technologies, it can be affected by weather and other environmental factors that can interfere with the quality of your service. Additionally, some fixed wireless internet providers place caps on data usage that can restrict your ability to use bandwidth-heavy applications and services.
DSL
Today’s digital world relies on the fast Internet to run apps, stream HD movies, and play online games. However, rural areas often have limited options for wired or wireless connections. The best rural Internet providers can provide the speed needed to perform these tasks.
The most common types of broadband are cable, fiber, and DSL. These connections offer a range of features and speeds, depending on where you live. DSL is available in most rural areas but can be slow if you are far from the provider’s hub. Fiber is another option, but it’s not yet available in many rural locations. However, new technologies like 5G home Internet may soon be viable for rural communities.
To choose the best rural Internet provider, consider your needs and budget. You may need high-speed Internet to run a business or prefer lower speeds for streaming and web browsing. You should also take into account how many devices you use and whether they’ll be using data-hungry apps or programs.
While you might think that cheaper is better, remember that cheaper providers often have fewer speeds and data caps. Consider paying more for a plan with higher speeds and fewer data limits to get the most out of your rural Internet connection.
Other rural internet options include satellite and fixed wireless. A satellite connection uses a satellite to beam a signal to a receiver on your property. These providers generally offer wide availability, but you might need to pay extra for equipment rentals and contracts. Most satellite Internet providers have data caps, and going over your limit will result in slower speeds for the rest of the billing cycle.
If you need a portable option, consider a mobile Wi-Fi hotspot. This device connects to your cell phone network and provides a connection for your laptop or tablet. You can usually find plans with unlimited data, which makes it a great choice for camping trips or RV travel. Some providers even offer bundled mobile hotspot data with your phone plan, making it an affordable option for rural travelers.
Fiber Optic
Many rural residents experience frustratingly slow internet speeds that don’t live up to their providers’ promises. Thankfully, there are ways to improve internet speeds in rural areas. One option is to switch to a faster provider or plan. Upgrading your service to fiber optics is another way to boost internet performance. Fiber optics transfer data up to 1,000 times faster than traditional copper cables. This means that websites load quicker, video streaming isn’t interrupted, and gaming doesn’t cause lag.
Most of the best rural broadband providers offer a combination of satellite, fixed wireless, DSL, and fiber options. For example, CenturyLink offers both DSL and fiber connections in some rural areas. HughesNet is another popular choice because it has national availability and offers high-speed satellite connections. Its top speed is 100 Mbps, which is fast enough for most users. However, it can be a bit expensive.
Another option is fixed wireless, which works by connecting an antenna at your house to a local WISP (wireless internet service provider). This option is cheaper and easier to set up than DSL or cable. It also has better availability in rural areas. However, distance still limits it and requires a direct line of sight between the antenna and the tower.
Other rural internet services include DSL from Windstream and Mediacom, which both provide high-speed DSL for customers in the Midwest and Eastern United States. Depending on where you live, these companies may have different price ranges for their services. Some of these providers also have varying monthly data caps.
If you want a wired connection that’s cheaper and more reliable than DSL or satellite, consider fiber internet from a rural ISP like Rise Broadband. Their network provides speeds up to 2Gbps, and they also offer Premium Wi-Fi and Premium Mesh Wi-Fi as add-ons to all plans.
Another option for rural internet is Starlink, a satellite-based system that’s being developed by SpaceX and will soon be available for public use. It has a much larger coverage area than other satellite internet providers and will be able to reach more remote locations. Its top speed is around 100Mbps, which is significantly faster than other satellite providers.
