Most people are familiar with the two kinds of Internet that are available to Internet users: wired and wireless Internet. Popular types of wired Internet include cable, fiber optic, and DSL Internet, while popular wireless options include wireless local area networks (WLANs), unlimited satellite Internet, and cellular Internet. Residents of large metropolitan areas have grown accustomed to easily accessing high-performance options such as fiber optic Internet. However, in rural America, the wired Internet options are nowhere near as impressive.
Because of rural America’s lack of infrastructure for broadband Internet, the most popular types of wired Internet for rural areas are dial-up Internet and DSL Internet. These are names that urban and suburban residents likely have not heard in a long time, and for good reason. These types of Internet are outdated and perform poorly compared to other options available in rural areas.
For example, satellite Internet providers such as HughesNet and unlimited 4G rural Internet providers such as UbiFi can provide better service without a wired connection. Mobile Internet companies like UbiFi can even provide high-speed, low-latency Internet connectivity that has a claim to the title of best Internet for rural gaming. Satellite Internet still performs well and has an advantage when it comes to availability, but rural residents may decide a service provider like UbiFi is a better fit for their needs if they plan to participate in many live events such as online gaming, video chats, and other activities that require low latency.
Until the government can advance its plans to improve the rural infrastructure for high-speed broadband connection, rural residents will have to choose between all of these alternatives. Instead of settling for subpar wired connection options, we recommend that our rural readers look for a good satellite or mobile Internet company that fits their needs.