- Image via Wikipedia
There are many reasons why rural areas are appealing. They have a certain solitude, a privacy, and a community feel that you often won’t find in big cities. Having a fast internet connection, however, is not one of the draws of rural life. But what if you’ve decided to live a little further from civilization and you don’t want to give up reliable internet? Here are a few solid options.
Dial-up. Yes, it’s true, dial-up is slower than almost any other option. However, dial-up is also faster than you may remember. In an attempt to stay alive while DSL and Cable are conquering the market, dial-up providers have made some upgrades. New hardware, as well as new technology known as “data compression,” allow for connections two to three times faster than they were before. Plus, their prices have dropped so much that they border on free. While it isn’t exactly “blazing fast,” dial-up is more likely to meet the needs of the casual user than ever.
Wireless. Even if you’re out of range of DSL connections, you may be able to take advantage of DSL connections of neighboring areas. There are wireless transmission towers that connect with DSL internet service, and is then beamed to your home through a short-range wireless satellite. While not the most reliable option, you retain a lot of the speed, and it costs about the same as DSL or Cable internet.
Satellite. Satellite internet connections are faster and more affordable than ever. With down and up speeds that slaughter dial-up, more intense internet users may find this option to be ideal. The prices on satellite connection have also lowered dramatically in recent years, dropping to about the cost of DSL connections. There are some latency issues here, and the equipment is costly, but its universal availability make it one of the best rural options.
Cellular. If you have cell phone service, you can also get internet connection. Many of the major cell phone companies, including Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, have a mobile net option that, while somewhat slow, may meet your needs.
