Many rural areas lag in mobile network infrastructure and high-speed internet. Firstly, greater geographical distances lead to lower concentration. Secondly, low population density doesn’t help. That being said, according to a Pew Internet & American Life Project survey, 41% of rural people use the internet. Thankfully, you do have many internet choices. And no, we aren’t just talking about satellite internet. Today, you’ve affordable wireless internet options to choose from – and we will take a look at a few of them.
Types of Wireless Internet options
Your wireless internet choices range from travel routers to SIM cards.
1. Satellite Wireless Internet
Satellite internet beam data from internet provider to a satellite. Then, the beamed data goes down to your dish.
It is suitable for rural areas with a lack of infrastructure for broadband internet. For one, you can get satellite internet from anywhere if you have a dish.
Satellite Internet generates excellent speed up to 100Mbps. Surfing your internet with a wired service removes connection blockage.
If a huge tree is in the middle of your connection with a satellite, you will see laggy videos.
2. Digital Subscriber Line
A digital subscriber line (DSL) is a top internet choice as it uses existing phone lines for a connection. It transmits data over copper lines used in telephone wires. More importantly, there are two kinds of Direct Subscriber Line: Symmetric and Asymmetric.
Phone lines use DSL for businesses and homes. The unique techniques used give high-speed data transmissions. Usually, the speed of DSL is up to 100 Mbps.
3. Cable Broadband
Cable broadband uses coaxial cables that add sound and pictures to your TV. So, there is no need for new infrastructure in this option. It is faster compared to satellite and DSL with 60Mbps speed.
In 2008, the FCC revealed reliable and faster internet options for rural areas: Cellular broadband, WISP, and DSL.
4. Fixed broadband wireless internet
Like satellite, fixed wireless broadband internet doesn’t need any wires for a connection. Your service transmits over radio waves to your home. It is an apt choice for rural homes that don’t have the infrastructure for the internet.
Service providers install an antenna on your home for fixed wireless internet. So, there are many advantages like lower cost and widespread availability.
Theoretically, you can get fixed wireless broadband of up to 1000 Mbps. However, most users experience speeds of around 25 Mbps.
5. Mobile Hotspot
Turn your mobile phone into a hotspot and quickly access the internet in your home or office. It requires good reception to avail of the perks of a mobile hotspot.
There are many benefits like consistent connections, good coverage, and high speeds. Moreover, it runs at 12 to 15 Mbps based on reception strength and how many people use it. Several mobile providers limit the data amount to avoid network saturation.
6. Dial-up internet
Dial-up is the oldest option for internet technology. In addition, it uses telephone landlines to provide internet service.
The best advantage of dial-up is that it is cheap and has no infrastructure except a phone line. Now, we won’t recommend this because it’s pretty slow. You do have other better internet options. The internet connection shuts off access to your phone line.
7. Wireless Home Internet
Wireless home internet is a new impactful technology in the rural internet. You get a strong signal from the nearby cell phone towers instead of wired internet access. So, if you stay in an area where 4G LTE is accessible, you will get a high-speed 4G home internet connection.
Additionally, in this option, you select a data plan for wireless home internet in place of speed. It’s simple to set up with no underground wires or installation team.
8. Ham Radio
Ham radio is a feasible option to stay connected in rural areas. Radio signals transmit small amounts of data. It enables licensed ham radio operators to send and receive emails.
There is no monthly fee for this option. Its independent operation makes it the best approach. You might need a robust radio setup and a ham radio operator’s license.
The Bottom Line
Now, living in a rural area has many benefits. However, you may not find it as easy to go online. With these abovementioned internet options, you can get a high-speed network. When choosing a wireless internet option, look at the data cap, speed, and pricing.
An Internet service provider like Wireless Solution offers high-speed wireless internet access to many rural areas. Our internet data plans use all the leading wireless carriers. So, surf the internet easily with our internet services with no overages- talk to us today.
