For many years, DSL was basically the only option for internet access in rural areas. It’s a form of internet access that utilizes the telephone lines. However, DSL allows you to use the telephone at the same time as you use the internet. The biggest problem with DSL is that it typically offers a very limited internet speed. If you’re in a rural area, here are a few potential alternatives to your DSL internet service.
1. Fiber-Optic High-Speed Internet
Fiber-optic internet is by far the fastest internet service available. It’s sort of the “gold standard” in internet service, as it offers an ultra-high-speed connection that may be as high as 1,000 Mbps. You likely think of this as being something that only big cities have available, but more and more rural locations are offering fiber-optic internet service, which means it’s possible that it may expand even further in the future.
2. Cable Internet
Depending on the provider, cable internet can have speeds of up to 500 Mbps, making it another great option for high-speed internet. The problem with cable internet is that it tends to be very difficult to find in rural areas, even today. Because it runs through cables in the ground, cable internet can be expensive to expand into rural areas, which has made many companies loathe to do so.
3. Wireless Internet
Fixed wireless internet can have very slow speeds, with the average internet speed at only about 4 Mbps, but that doesn’t mean it’s always going to be this way. With fixed wireless, many companies are hoping to bring broadband service to rural areas. That means in the future, you might see that your rural area has internet access at or above 100 Mbps through a fixed wireless connection.
4. Satellite Service
Satellite service can be very effective for many people; it has coverage of around 100% across the United States. That means even rural individuals can benefit from satellite internet service. The main problem that may affect whether or not you’re eligible for satellite service is that it requires a clear line of sight to the sky, which means that trees and buildings may impact your service. It tends to range from 25-100 Mbps.
5. Dial-Up Internet
Dial-up internet can be very helpful as an emergency backup internet connection, but it’s definitely not a good idea as your company’s only access to the internet. Through dial-up internet, you can only get a maximum of 56 kbit/s, which isn’t enough to access large files quickly or stream video. However, if it’s your only option, it is still a valuable way to make sure you’re connected to the internet in some way.
Conclusion
DSL doesn’t have to be your only option. Most internet services that provide internet to rural areas can provide you with high-speed internet access that can keep your business on its toes, even if you have multiple people accessing it at once. Regardless of the internet access that you end up choosing, remember that choosing the right internet service is an important part of maximizing your business’s opportunities. It’s always worth investing money into.
