Generally, your best option for internet in a rural area will be either a satellite or a DSL connection. Satellite connectivity can work almost anywhere, whereas DSL works by hooking up to your existing phone lines. However, wireless technology has also come a long way in recent years. *Data as of 09/23/20.
Guide to Rural Internet
Check availability
The first step to choosing an internet provider is to look at availability. Living in a rural area makes it naturally more difficult to find a good provider, so this is the first important step. Luckily, checking which providers cover your area is straightforward. You can either check on the provider’s website or use a service such as In My Area. ✓ Best For: Satellite internet ✗ Not For: Cheap prices Features:
Satellite: Viasat uses satellites to deliver its internet services. This produces fibre-quality broadband in almost any location. 10 plans: Viasat offers 10 different plans to choose from, so you can find an internet plan that ticks all the boxes.
✓ Best For: High speeds ✗ Not For: Those outside the 21 covered states Features:
Fibre: AT&T’s Fiber plan offers high speeds of up to 1000Mbps. Fiber works by using fiber-optic cables that use light waves instead of electrical signals to send data faster. Bundles: AT&T Internet can be bundled with its TV service, saving $20 a month for the first year. No data caps: There are no limits on the amount of data you can use, which is great for busy households.
✓ Best For: Price guarantee ✗ Not For: Those outside of the covered states Features: ✓ Best For: Fixed wireless technology ✗ Not For: Fast internet speeds Features:
Fixed wireless technology: Fixed wireless internet uses radio waves transmitted by a base station rather than a cable. You will need a receiver installed in your home for this. Easy setup: As fixed wireless technology doesn’t require cables or invasive equipment installation, it’s easier and quicker to set up.
✓ Best For: Mobile hotspots ✗ Not For: High speeds or large data usage Features:
Mobile hotspots: Verizon uses mobile hotspots due to its experience as a mobile provider. If you already have a Verizon cell phone, you can set up with one of their hotspots. Nationwide coverage: As one of the more recognizable names on the list, Verizon offers nationwide coverage for customers.
✓ Best For: Data limit choice ✗ Not For: High data use Features:
Nationwide coverage: HughesNet is one of the few providers which has nationwide coverage, making it more accessible than other providers. Choose your own data limit: Customers can choose data limits between 10 to 50GB per month.
✓ Best For: No data caps ✗ Not For: Consistent prices – prices rise after the first year Features:
No data caps: With no data caps, you won’t be limited in your internet usage, meaning you can stream to your heart’s content. DSL technology: Windstream uses DSL technology, which uses existing phone lines to transport high-bandwidth data to rural communities.
✓ Best For: Fixed prices ✗ Not For: Bundling options Features:
Contracts: Unlike most other providers, CenturyLink offers flexible month-to-month agreements rather than contracts. High-speed wireless internet: CenturyLink uses its wireless technology and fiber-optic network to supply rural areas with high-speed internet.Speed tester: CenturyLink has a handy “Select your speed” option which shows you the speeds of certain activities depending on which connection you choose.
✓ Best For: Range of plans ✗ Not For: Anyone looking for no contracts Features:
High speeds: Xfinity boasts the highest advertised speeds on this list, so it’s the ideal choice for those who love to stream 4K movies.Customer experience: Xfinity is also the highest-rated internet provider in terms of customer reviews on the Better Business Bureau, with 4 out of 5 stars.Bundling: Xfinity customers have the benefit of accessing some great bundling options. The Internet plan can be combined with TV packages and mobile plans.
✓ Best For: Accessibility and speed ✗ Not For: Cheap prices Features:
LTE network: This stands for Long-Term Evolution, which is the standard for wireless internet connections. This technology increases connectivity speed. Transparent pricing: With no hidden fees, price hikes or inflexible contracts, T-Mobile’s service is ideal for those looking to avoid a long, expensive contract.
Decide How Much Speed You Need
When deciding how much speed you need, it’s important to brush up on some terminology first. Upload and download speeds are measured in megabytes per second or MBps for short. What speeds you need will depend on your usage. If you’re only browning the internet occasionally, you may not need top speeds. If you are regularly streaming HD or 4K movies, then you will need an internet connection that can keep up without buffering.
Study pricing
When shopping around for internet providers, another thing to bear in mind is the total cost. While each provider will vary, the average price per month for high-speed internet can cost between $43 to $91. It’s worth reading our guide on hidden costs of internet services to get a grasp of how much you may end up paying.
Consider bundling
One way to reduce costs is to bundle internet service with other services the company provides. Most bundles that providers offer will include both internet and cable TV. If you’re also looking for a TV service provider, it’s definitely worth looking into potential internet bundles to save some money.
Look for flexible contracts
As well as bundling options, another thing you can look at is whether the provider offers flexible contracts. No one likes being tied down into a long contract, particularly if you like to shop around each year. Some providers will offer introductory prices but will tie you into a long contract of 12 - 24 months. If you would rather have the flexibility to switch and save money, look into those with flexible contracts. For example, CenturyLink offers no-contract options.
