People living in rural areas often get frustrated about their internet speeds. They have to rely on mobile internet due to the lack of internet service providers.
As a result, working from remote areas often becomes challenging. You cannot stream movies at high resolutions or play games on Steam.
Is there a way to solve this problem?
Let’s find out!
Can People in Rural Areas Get High-Speed Internet?
Dial-up used to be the only means of getting online at one time. The highest speed you could achieve would be limited to a few KBs.
Even file sizes on the internet exceeded a few KBs. Most websites were static pages with a heavy focus on the text. And if you’re applying for a job, you could have a 5-minute application process stretch to an hour.
Advancements in technology brought us solutions like DSL and cable broadband for fast internet. For the first time, we could enjoy speeds of several MBs per second.
Internet speeds kept increasing to give us fiber optic and 5G connections. We can now browse the net at even 10 Gbps without flinching our eyes.
Mobile internet has also improved from 2G to 4G and 5G. You can expect speeds comparable to broadband internet in most cases.
However, can people living in remote areas access such privileges? Or do they still need to stay happy with mobile internet and DSL?
The Rise of Modern Internet Technologies
DSL seems to be the most suitable option for rural areas that lack broadband or fiber optic networks. You can simply take a landline connection that connects you to the internet.
A modem is necessary to access DSL internet and send it to your computer or device. However, DSL is not the fastest and restricts you to only a few MBs per second.
Moreover, the speed will decrease as the distance from the provider increases.
Other options stand out when you want to enjoy high-speed internet in rural regions. The top ones include the following:
Fixed Wireless Internet
One of the best ways to enjoy top speeds is to go for fixed wireless internet. It uses a router in your home to capture internet signals from nearby cell towers.
You can get broadband speeds by maintaining a clear line of sight with a mobile tower. It is also possible to create a home network and install a WiFi router.
Fixed wireless routers generally use a SIM from a popular provider. You can purchase a 4G or 5G SIM to power your device.
Buildings closer to the tower can expect the best connectivity and bandwidth. However, it is not a problem in smaller towns where all houses are within the radius of the towers.
Moreover, fewer people share the connection for better performance and bandwidth. You may be able to enjoy speeds of up to 100 Mbps.
Most importantly, fixed wireless internet is affordable and comes with unlimited plans.
Wireless Internet
Wireless internet works on the same principles as fixed wireless internet. It connects to cell towers close by to get you online.
However, you don’t need to keep the router in a fixed location. You can take it from one house to another without losing connectivity.
Moreover, you can enjoy wireless internet in your camping van or boat. You will be able to access the internet as long as you are within cellular coverage.
Most importantly, your router will select the best tower automatically. It relies on factors like signal strength and distance to choose an ideal source.
You can enjoy 4G and 5G speeds with wireless internet. Routers closer to mobile towers will have the best speed and bandwidth.
Mobile Hotspot
You can use your mobile internet by switching on your hotspot. The speed will depend on your connection and whether it’s 4G or 5G.
However, you can’t expect the same level of performance compared to wireless routers. Your performance will also suffer if you connect more devices.
Mobile internet is suitable for emergency situations as they are expensive with low data caps.
Final Thoughts
It is possible to get high-speed internet in rural areas. You can opt for fixed wireless internet for top speed and reliable bandwidth. Even businesses can use 5G connections to drive their operations. Moreover, you can consider wireless internet if you travel around remote locations frequently.
Want to get a reliable high-speed internet connection? Take a look at some of our data plans today!
