The Internet is a very important part to modern life. Just a few years ago, a federal court determined high speed internet has evolved to the point where it is more like a public utility and not a luxury. Think about it, there is a lot that you can't do if you don't have access to high speed Internet. In some instances, slow or no Internet can almost be like going without gas or electricity. Despite the fact, the Internet is so important to our lives, people in rural areas don't have many options for high speed Internet. If you live in a rural area and have problems getting high speed internet, follow these tips to see what options are in your area.
So why is it difficult to get high speed internet in rural areas? Well, it's a very expensive process to lay the cables needed. There are larger distances between rural residential, farm and business properties compared to most urban and suburban areas. This means that High Speed Internet providers will not get a a fast return on the investment laying cables. Rather than expanding into rural area, Internet providers focus maintaining and upgrade the networks in densely populated areas.
If you live in a rural area, here are your options for high speed Internet services.
1. DSL DSL or Digital Subscriber Line send a digital signal over analog phone lines. It's 10 times faster than old school Dial Up Internet, but it's slow compared to the speed you can get over the fiber network that's in urban areas. DSL is used still in rural areas, because the old analog line network is already in place. The advantage to DSL is most Internet providers offer a high data cap for downloading or streaming information to your computers, smartphones or tablets. It's also one of the more affordable options for high speed Internet. The downside is your Internet speed can fluctuate depending how close your property is to the relay station.
2. Satellite. Like satellite TV, satellite internet has become popular in rural areas because the only equipment you need is a satellite dish that faces to the south. You can get very good download speeds with satellite Internet. The big downside to Satellite Internet is that your downloads are metered, like some data plans with cellular providers. you have a limit to how much data you can use before you are charged for extra data usage.
3. Fixed wireless. Fixed wireless is used by Internet providers by setting up a tower or a series of towers in a rural area. The provider transmits internet data which is picked up by subscribers. Internet speed depends on ow close you are to the tower and some providers put a cap on how much data you can use on a monthly basis.
4. Mobile Hotspots. If you have a reliable 4G LTE signal with from your mobile provider, consider getting a mobile hotspot for fast and reliable Internet. A strong 4G LTE signal provides internet speeds that are faster than DSL and as fast as Internet in urban areas. The other great thing about a mobile hotspot is you can add multiple devices for wireless connectivity. This option works great if you have unlimited data from your mobile provider, but is not a good option if you don't have unlimited data with your plan.
5. Search For The Best Provider. Rural Internet varies by region. If you're looking for rural high-speed internet providers near you, the fastest way to find your options is to visit BroadBandNow at www.broadbandnow.com. This easy to use website allows you to see all of the Internet providers near you by just entering in your zip code. You get a comprehensive list showing you what Internet speeds, coverage area, and prices from the providers in your area.
If you live in a rural area, what Internet service are you using? Drop me a line and let me know.