The best rural internet providers

Matthew Harrington
Internet Provider Comparisons

The best rural internet providers

Want blazing fast internet even if you're living out in the boondocks? Don't worry; these days, even remote communities are getting connected! Soon, folks living off the beaten track will be able to join their city-dwelling counterparts in experiencing lightening fast internet connections.

HomeLinkd has done some research, and we've found the best rural internet providers available across the country. From wireless internet to satellite internet providers, we're sure we can help you find an internet plan available in your area that's perfect for you.

Read on to find out everything you need to know about rural internet providers and more.

What is high-speed rural internet?

Having high-speed internet is essential – whether you're living in the city or rural areas.

High-speed internet in rural areas is defined as an internet connection with download speeds of 25 Mbps or more.

This type of connection is fast enough to stream HD video, play online games, and download large files. It's also much faster than the average US broadband speed of 18.7 Mbps.

Everything you need to know about rural internet service providers

Don't let living in a rural area keep you from experiencing the world of high-speed internet! There are a few companies that offer high-speed internet to rural customers. Here's everything you need to know about them.

  • Rural internet providers have max speeds of up to 100 Mbps, while urban areas can reach download speeds of up to 5 Gbps, depending on the provider.
  • Rural internet providers generally use a fixed wireless network to provide service. This means that they send a signal from a tower to an antenna on your home. The signal is then converted into an internet connection that you can use on your devices.
  • The biggest downside of using a fixed wireless network is that it can be interrupted by bad weather or trees in the way of the signal. The good news is that most companies offer backup batteries and generators to keep the service running even during power outages.

Types of rural internet available

There are a few different types of rural internet available. Here's a brief overview of each one.

Rural DSL internet

DSL (digital subscriber line) is a type of high-speed internet that uses copper phone lines to deliver an internet connection. It's one of the oldest types of high-speed internet available, and it's not as common in rural areas as it is in urban areas.

The biggest downside of DSL is that it's not as fast as other types of high-speed internet, like cable or fiber. But, it's a lot cheaper than the other types of high-speed internet, and it's more widely available in rural areas.

Cable internet

Cable internet is a type of high-speed internet that uses the same copper cables as cable TV to deliver an internet connection. It's one of the fastest types of high-speed internet available, and it's more widely available in rural areas.

The biggest downside of cable internet is that it's more expensive than other types of high-speed internet. But, it's much faster than DSL.

Fixed wireless home internet

An alternative to satellite internet, wireless internet is another type of high-speed internet available in rural areas. It uses a fixed wireless network to provide service. This means that the company sends a signal from a tower to an antenna on your home. The signal is then converted into an internet connection that you can use on your devices.

The biggest downside of using a fixed wireless network is that it can be interrupted by bad weather or trees in the way of the signal. But, most companies offer backup batteries and generators to keep the service running even during power outages.

Satellite internet

Satellite internet is the most common type of high-speed internet available in rural areas. It works by sending a signal from a satellite in space to an antenna on your home. The signal is then converted into an internet connection that you can use on your devices.

Like fixed wireless internet, satellite internet can also be interrupted by bad weather, like rain or snow.

Rural internet speeds

Rural life can often be slow, but broadband internet doesn't have to be! The average rural internet speed is 10 Mbps, which is enough to stream HD video, play online games, and download large files. But, there are a few companies that offer high-speed rural internet with speeds of up to 100 Mbps. These speeds are fast enough to stream 4K video, play online games, and download large files.

The fastest rural internet providers are Viasat and Starlink. They all offer speeds of up to 100 Mbps.

How you can get internet in rural areas

The best way to get high-speed internet in rural areas is to use a satellite internet provider or DSL. They are the most reliable providers for remote areas. Another option is to use a fixed wireless network. This is a newer technology, but it's becoming more popular in rural areas.

To find out which internet option is available in your area, it's best to contact your local internet providers. Rural areas often have certain internet connection types that work better than others. That said, be sure to do your research and compare providers before making a final decision.

If you need help finding out which rural internet provider is best for your area, head over to our webpage and key in your address in our coverage map search bar. We'll do the scouting for you and show you which different types of internet and plans are available to you.

3 Best Rural Internet Providers

Rural internet providers have the best coverage compared to urban providers like Google Fiber. Here are our top 3 picks for internet service providers:

1. Viasat - Best internet service

Viasat is one of the biggest satellite providers in the US. If you're looking for rural internet that's fast and reliable, this provider offers speeds of up to 100 Mbps, which is fast enough for most households.

They have a wide coverage area, being available in all areas across all 50 states. This is great news for anyone living in rural areas.

Viasat also offers unlimited data plans, which means that you can use as much data as you want without having to worry about overage charges with this satellite internet service provider.

2. HughesNet - Wide internet coverage

HughesNet is another satellite internet provider that offers their service in all 50 states. They are a perfect option for rural dwellers. This provider is one of the most popular satellite internet providers and offers home internet service speeds of up to 25 Mbps.

HughesNet has a wide coverage area, and they offer unlimited data plans. They also offer discounts for military members and first responders. HughesNet is one of the best internet service providers for rural areas. And their internet speed allows you to use the internet for things like light streaming, social media browsing and online shopping. If you want a seamless connection, satellite internet from HughesNet is your best bet.

3. Earthlink - Most coverage

Earthlink Internet Service has more coverage than any other internet provider in the US. They offer DSL internet service and unlimited data on all their plans.

What's great about EarthLink is that, unlike other internet service providers, they don't use temporary pricing gimmicks where the price you pay for internet will increase after a few months of service. It's clear, transparent pricing at its best.

Find the best rural internet options with HomeLinkd

Rural areas get the short end of the stick when it comes to internet connection. If you're looking for high-speed internet in a rural area, HomeLinkd can help. We offer a wide selection of TV and internet brands, all the information you need on what's available in your area, and how to make the best home security choices for your unique needs.

By using our handy tools and guides, you'll find the best home internet plans available in rural areas. Getting internet access from rural broadband providers has never been easier thanks to HomeLinkd.

Visit HomeLinkd to find the best rural broadband plan for you, today.

Written by:
Matthew Harrington

I’m Matthew, your go-to tech enthusiast who loves diving deep into the ‘how’ and ‘why’ of all things technology. My day job? Breaking down complex systems so you don’t have to! When I’m not geeking out over the latest gadgets, you’ll find me exploring new coding languages or reading about future tech trends. I believe every technical problem has a solution, and I’m here to guide you through them, step by step.

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