In today’s day and age, an internet connection is extremely vital and while most people in the cities have become accustomed to it, many rural areas still appear to struggle to get used to it.
It has been predicted that by the end of the year 2024, the number of people using the Internet around the world will increase to 5.35 billion (Source: Datareportal, 2024), however, even so, some people living in rural areas have few such possibilities.
Understanding how important being online is in today’s age, it is important to make the right selection of a service provider.
In this regard, I will help you choose the best such service in the respective places by explaining the fixed wireless, satellite, and DSL internet services of which the rural scene has a lot.
The Types of Internet Connections in Rural Areas
Rural areas do have internet options, but they are limited and slow, however, they work fast enough to get your basic tasks done, such as checking your social media and your emails.
Here’s a list of the most prominent types.
Dial-Up and DSL Internet Service
DSL internet is available in all regions that have access to landline phones, and this is the fastest net connection type that you can get in a rural area.
Not only is it the fastest, but it is the cheapest one as well, giving you the best of both worlds.
When you use data through a landline phone instead of the traditional wired one, you have to compromise on your internet speed.
That is because the speed gets relatively slower when you connect via your landline phone.
Do You Know? The first Internet Service Provider (ISP), was established in 1969 and allowed dial-up access to users in the U.S. First Commercial Internet Service.
Satellite Internet Connections
The best thing about satellite internet connections is that they are easily available everywhere.
That is all possible because of the wonderful technology of satellites, and for those not aware, satellites are orbiting in space and this movement allows for a connection all over the country.
When satellites transmit internet signals, you have to install a dish, which is responsible for receiving these signals, and then you are able to enjoy a satellite internet service in your home!
However, the service depends from area to area, for instance, in some areas, you will get a high speed, and in others, you will struggle with a cap on your data usage, limiting your net usage.
Fixed Wireless Internet
Another brilliant mode is a fixed wireless internet that utilizes radio waves that offer a consistent internet connection.
The consistency helps in creating low-latency connectivity, meaning it will be as less laggy as it can possibly be.
However, you should keep in mind that both fixed wireless and satellite internet have a similar speed, but the only difference between both is availability.
What Are the Data Caps Like?
One major setback in rural internet connections is the data cap that comes with the connection, and the monthly data is usually around 250 GB, limiting internet usage.
There are some data plans that claim to give you unlimited data, but usually, that isn’t the case.
Once you hit your data usage level, you will feel your speed decrease, so, if there is “unlimited data” per se, there is also a decrease in your internet speed.
This does, however, save you from paying an overage fee, and also, you also don’t entirely lose your connection, which itself is another plus point.
It is suggested that you keep your data cap and data usage in check so that you don’t have to deal with a slow net because you already get a slow connection in the first place.
Check the image below taken from DataReportal – Global Digital Insights that demonstrates how many people are expected to use the Internet in 2024.
How Does Rural Internet Differ from an Urban Internet Connection?
An urban internet connection is lightyears ahead of a rural connection, and that is because most urban settings have what we call a “fiber internet” connection.
For instance, if you take a look at Xfinity Internet deals, you’ll see fiber data packages that go up to 1000 Mbps or 1 Gbps of internet speed.
This is something that you cannot achieve with a rural connection, similarly, fiber optic connections require underground optic cables for the Internet to be transmitted from the ISP to your house in the first place.
This is something that is missing from rural settings due to a lack of infrastructural development.
This is why rural settings opt for internet connections, such as dial-up, fixed wireless, and satellite internet.
An Extra Pointer
For those who reside in rural areas, it is imperative to track their data usage even with a data plan that has no caps, in this case, a rural internet provider.
This is because rural data subscriptions tend to be more under-speed or restricted in their overall bandwidth.
Monitoring your usage will help ensure that you do not have to worry about all those throttling rates during the month and beyond.
