How To Get High-Speed Internet Access in Rural Areas

Any location has its ups and downs—and rural areas are no exception. If you live far away from populated areas, the lack of good internet access can be a major annoyance or hindrance. You may have found services that are cost-prohibitive or not fast enough to meet your needs. Fortunately, there are great internet options for rural areas that can help you get and stay connected.

Curious about the leading internet alternatives for those in rural regions or communities? Are you wondering how to pick the best service for your home, family, or daily activities? Don’t settle for a slow connection when you can have quick access right at your fingertips. Here’s how to get high-speed internet access in rural areas in the USA.

The Definition of High-Speed Access

Moving to a rural area doesn’t have to mean you can’t access high-speed internet services. Numerous options are available to you, and understanding the services offered by various providers is essential for deciding the type of connection you need. You may need to turn to alternatives you are not familiar with or learn more about the different labels of modern high-speed internet.

What Is High-Speed Internet?

What determines whether an internet connection is fast vs. slow? There is no definite answer, only suggestions based on users’ needs for regular online activity. How quickly do you prefer a device to respond to your commands? Nobody wants to be stuck on the endlessly spinning circle of doom or wait for minutes at a time for a single webpage to load.

A Need for Speed: Industry Standards

There is a standard internet speed set by US regulators. The Federal Communications Commission (FFC) outlines the basic definition of broadband internet as a speed above the minimum of 25 Mbps. Mbps refers to megabits per second, the industry measurement baseline for download or upload speeds on home internet connections. Any speed above 25 Mbps should be fast enough for multiple devices to access and use the internet simultaneously.

Users often find that anywhere from 5 to over 100 Mbps is suitable for searching Google, streaming videos in HD or 4K, playing online games, downloading or uploading files, or running several smart devices at a time. Again, that depends on how many users or devices need internet support. In rural areas, you’ll discover that these average speeds vary depending on service type and signal strength. The availability of the following types of internet services ultimately depends on your location.

Satellite Service: Got a Dish?

As the only internet access option currently available in nearly every location in the US, satellite internet is a possibility for individuals living in remote areas. For some, satellite may be the only choice. The internet service operates by receiving signals on a satellite dish from an orbiting satellite in space. The signal carries internet via cable to a home router or modem. Unfortunately, satellite internet is commonly plagued by issues. You’ll tend to find restrictive data limits, lags due to distance, and higher costs with these plans than others that offer similar speeds.

DSL Broadband: Telephone Lines

DSL, aka Digital Subscriber Line, is an internet option that uses existing phone lines to carry service signals. This common service is similar to dial-up internet, but with better speed and connection reliability. While DSL may be available in some rural areas, it’s becoming increasingly outdated technology and is unlikely to be fast enough for the needs of most 21^st-century internet users.

Fixed Wireless: Depends on Location

Fixed wireless internet options use antennas that beam a signal to and from a fixed hub in a nearby location. These are typically land-based central towers in the surrounding community. Fixed wireless is less common than other technologies in rural areas, but the service can sometimes fill coverage gaps from cable-wired internet providers. Because it’s generally better in speed and latency than satellite, this wireless technology can be a suitable option if locally available.

4G or LTE: Cellular Network Connections

Do you have good cell reception from a carrier in your area? If there are cell towers close enough to your remote residence with reliable signals, you should definitely consider wireless 4G internet service over satellite. This network solution is one of the best alternative ways to get high-speed internet access in rural areas.

Since a built-out 4G infrastructure is already available nationwide, you can potentially take advantage of this modern technology in your geographic location. You’ll receive instant internet access via a router or hotspot that uses the same cellular networks that smartphones use.

Not sure if your cell tower signal is strong enough? Check out the signal bars visible on your cellphone, and see what mobile data network is currently being used—3G, 4G, 4G+, or LTE. If you have one of these icons with bars at least halfway full and your signal doesn’t drop often, you may have the perfect high-speed internet option for computers, tablets, or smart devices.

Mobile Hotspots or Routers

With 4G cellular services, users can connect their devices to the internet via dedicated wireless mobile hotspots with their own Wi-Fi signal. Speeds can vary due to demands throughout peak traffic times but are fast and reliable when you need them the most. For this reason, many users find this wireless service to be best suited for the needs of businesses or entire households for working, streaming, or browsing the web.

For continuous and affordable access to mobile internet, individuals in rural communities can find wireless 4G network plans from providers that offer unlimited data without unfair contracts or billing practices. Some hotspot routers are even conveniently optimizable for on-the-go traveling if needed.

Trifecta Wireless: Risk-Free Service

Need more information? If you’re looking for high-speed internet options for rural areas, turn to Trifecta Wireless for unlimited wireless plans. Internet users can say goodbye to slow speeds, buffering videos, and lagging gaming without the fear of lengthy contracts or overage charges.

Take the next step today to stay fully connected with our risk-free cellular internet. Check out our website for a free tower analysis survey of your geographic location—we’ll let you know if our fast and reliable service could be a beneficial option worth considering.