The best rural internet providers 2023: Best internet options for rural areas

Living in a rural area has many pros to it. Fresh air, safer communities, and a less expensive lifestyle means you get to enjoy the simpler things in life. However, internet technology has been slow to expand to the many rural parts of the US, with mostly satellite, DSL and wireless being the options for rural internet users. What are the options available? HomeLinkd has listed the best internet providers for rural areas with the best internet signal, prices and benefits.

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What is a rural internet provider?

When it comes to the internet, rural areas are typically defined as those areas that are outside of major metropolitan areas. This can include small towns, farming communities, and other areas that are not considered to be part of a city. Often, rural areas have less access to high-speed internet than urban areas, which can make it more difficult to stay connected.

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Rural internet providers typically offer wireless internet service, which can be accessed via a modem or router. Some rural internet providers also offer satellite internet service, which can be accessed via a satellite dish, or DSL which stands for "digital subscriber line". You may be wondering if the US has any rural internet providers for home internet and the answer is yes, there are rural internet providers in the United States. Some of the more popular providers include Verizon, HughesNet, Viasat, Eathlink, AT&T, and Comcast. These providers offer a variety of plans and speeds to fit the needs of any customer, including those in rural areas.

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Why is it hard to get internet in rural areas?

There are a few reasons why it can be hard to get internet in rural areas. One reason is that there is often less infrastructure in rural areas, so there may not be as many options for providers. Additionally, the terrain in rural areas can make it difficult to lay down cable or other types of internet infrastructure. This means that it can be more expensive to provide internet service to rural areas.

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There may simply be fewer people living in rural areas, so there is less demand for internet service. In addition, it is often expensive for internet providers to develop in rural areas. This is due to the fact that there is typically less infrastructure in place in these areas, and thus more investment is required to build out the necessary infrastructure. Additionally, rural areas tend to have lower population densities, which means that there are fewer potential customers for internet providers. As a result, providers often have to charge higher prices in order to make a profit in rural areas. Funding is also a problem. This can be a problem for residents who need to use the internet for work or school. There are some government programs that provide funding for internet in rural areas, but they are often not enough to meet the needs of all residents.

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What are my options for internet in a rural area?

There are a few options for internet in a rural area. One option is satellite internet, which uses a dish to connect to a satellite in orbit. Another option is fixed wireless internet, which uses radio waves to connect to a tower. A third option is DSL, which uses a phone line to connect to the internet.

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Satellite internet

Viasat

A well-known and trusted satellite provider that now has the fastest satellite speed in the US

Speeds ranging from 12 - 100 Mbps

Stream up to 720p

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Fixed wireless

Verizon

4G LTE home internet

Speeds ranging from 25 - 50 Mbps

No contracts

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DSL internet

EarthLink

Internet 9 and Internet 18 packages

No data caps

Professional installation

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Online activities you may struggle with in rural areas

There are a few online activities that you may struggle with in rural areas due to the fact that high-speed internet in rural areas in hard to come by.

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Streaming movies or TV shows

This can be difficult because of the slower internet speeds in these areas. Even if you have a HD or 4K smart TV, that doesn't mean your devices are going to receive the speeds needed for high definition streaming.

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Online shopping and online gaming

This can be tricky because many rural areas do not have good cell phone service, so you may not be able to get a good signal to complete your purchase. For online gaming fanatics, slow internet speed is certified death. There will be increased lagging, as well as a jumpy internet network that's bound to result in poor gaming performance.

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Video chatting

Video chatting can also be difficult in rural areas due to the slower internet speeds and limited bandwidth. Your mobile device needs a consistently high upload and download speed to maintain each video frame, second-by-second.

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Downloading large files

If you're looking to download a movie or require high bandwidth for remote online work, satellite and DSL may not be the best options. Fixed wireless might just do the job, but your connection will need to be more than 100 Mbps at least.

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How can I improve my rural internet speed?

There are a few things you can do to improve your rural internet speed. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best way to improve internet speeds in rural areas will vary depending on the specific situation. However, some general tips that may help include:

• Checking with your internet service provider to see if there are any available upgrades or packages that could improve your speeds.
• Making sure that your computer and router are both up-to-date and capable of handling high-speed internet.
• Using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi whenever possible, as this can often be faster and more reliable.
• If you live in a rural area that is far from any major population centers, you may want to consider satellite internet as an option.
• You can also try using a different DNS (Domain Name System) server.
• Place your modem or router in a central place in your home. Storing it in a cupboard or a far-away study will not help you achieve strong and even internet signal throughout the house.

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Best rural internet providers of 2023

The best internet options for rural internet are the ones that can offer reliability, a moderate internet speed, added benefits and good customer service. In addition, because rural areas are far from metro areas, it is important than rural DSL, satellite and wireless providers have good infrastructure in case of a storm or natural disaster.

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Anyone living in a rural area can rest in the knowledge that they can get internet service – it's just a matter of looking at the types of rural internet and choosing the one with the best internet coverage. Compare rural internet providers with HomeLinkd today!