High-Speed Internet Service in Rural Locations

DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, is a wire connection that enables both phone and Internet service to a home. Many cable companies offer DSL service to rural customers, although the price can be costly, especially if few other customers in your neighborhood opt for DSL service. Still, this is one of the easier options to consider, as many current phone lines are already DSL- ready, meaning they can handle an Internet connection. The connection speed in rural areas will beat dial-up, but it will still be slower than some other options.

Many companies offer rural residents the opportunity to access high-speed Internet via their cable service, because the connection uses fiber-optic wiring or another type of wiring with very high broadband capability. The same issue with pricing can plague the rural customer, just like with DSL, because it's not profitable for a cable company to wire individual homes in a rural neighborhood. The cost to install and set up a cable connection in a rural area can sometimes climb into the thousands of dollars.

Satellite is another viable option for accessing the Internet in rural homes, although it is advised to consider cable or DSL before satellite. This is due to the slight risk of loss in service with satellite due to weather. During a bad storm or inclement weather, there is a chance the satellite dish could malfunction or fail to pick up a signal, which can be frustrating.

Wireless Internet is one of the best options in rural settings, because wireless routers can easily access signals from nearby Wi-Fi towers nearby or satellites. It's also one of the more cost effective options because there is no cable or dish installation required. Many cable companies offer customers wireless options, and there may be even more of a cost savings if you are able to bundle wireless service with your cable TV and home phone services.