Inexpensive High-Speed Internet Connections for Rural Areas
Types of Internet Service Where High Speed Is Not Available
How Can I Access the Internet From a Rural Area?
by Chris Blank
LTE Vs. Wi-Fi
The Best Alternatives to Dial-Up Internet Service
ATT: How Does ATT DSL Work?
Advantages of Dial-Up Connections
If you live in a sparsely populated rural area, accessing the Internet can be a challenge. While some solutions are available, they are often cumbersome and sometimes expensive. Nonetheless, if you are determined to have Internet access in a rural area, these techniques may make it possible while waiting for stimulus dollars to make an impact on widespread Internet service in rural areas.
The cheapest, and for some, the only option for accessing the Internet is through dial-up service, known in the industry as Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS). Users must have a land line installed into their home or business, plus have a regular modem installed on their computer. Users must also subscribe to an Internet service provider (ISP), which supplies one or more access numbers to use to access the Internet.
For users who insist on having broadband service, satellite Internet providers can be a viable alternative. Satellite service requires the installation of a satellite receiver, along with a cable to transmit the signal from the satellite dish into the home and eventually to the computer. Satellite service can involve up-front expenses and service is also sometimes adversely affected by weather conditions. However, in 2008, Skyway USA began offering self-installed satellite service packages, including a specially designed 28-inch satellite dish, for less than $100 for the equipment, with monthly service charges beginning at $39.99. The service is compatible with all operating systems and promises high reliability.
Another alternative for rural dwellers who want high-speed Internet service is to turn to the same company that provides many homes with television service -- cable companies. Many cable companies offer home telephone and high-speed Internet service in addition to cable television. Discounts are often available when customers purchase service bundles.
Wireless Internet service is another possibility for rural residents who want high-speed Internet, along with the flexibility of using a laptop in different areas of the home or office. However, wireless Internet service in rural areas is not the same as in urban areas, where users can access networks in coffee shops and bookstores. Wireless Internet service in rural areas often means that the user must be located in a clear line of access and in reasonable proximity to a wireless service provider's tower, then setting up a proprietary hot spot. Nonetheless, determined rural dwellers have frequently devised innovative means of obtaining wireless Internet service.
Internet Service For Rural America
Comparison Of Four Major Satellite Providers
Rural Areas Find Internet Answer in the Air
Broadband Catching Up in Rural Areas
Chris Blank is an independent writer and research consultant with more than 20 years' experience. Blank specializes in social policy analysis, current events, popular culture and travel. His work has appeared both online and in print publications. He holds a Master of Arts in sociology and a Juris Doctor.
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