The internet service offered in rural areas is not exactly great. And this is a big problem. It has affected both the people and businesses. This has also presented a lot of problems to students. You will be surprised to know that many students find it hard to complete their homework just because they don’t have access to a reliable and strong internet connection. This is the era of digital learning, and though students in the urban area may opt for services like Spectrum internet and TV bundles to study, no such facility is available in the rural parts, which is pretty mind-boggling.
ISPs Making an Effort
The issue of poor internet coverage in rural areas is not new. This problem has existed since forever. It is literally a roadblock for people, preventing them from doing online tasks. And though this digital gap between the rural and urban areas exists, there is finally some good news to cheer for! You see, there are some internet service providers who have gone the extra mile to ensure that people residing in rural areas have access to a top-notch internet connection.
Different Types of Internet Connection in the Rural Areas
Many different ISPs are now actively trying to make their services available in rural parts of the country. There are four types of internet connections that are currently available there. They are as follows:
- Cable Internet
- Fixed Line Broadband
- Satellite
- DSL Broadband
Among the aforementioned types, DSL Broadband and Cable Internet are the best ones. Why? Well, because both of them transfer data packets at a much faster rate as compared to satellite. Plus, what makes them so better is that they offer a large data allowance. Plus, most of them often offer no data caps.
Top ISPs in Rural Areas
Finding a budget-friendly internet deal in rural areas is no less of a challenge. However, there are still many popular ISPs that not just offer good deals but better speeds too. With that said, let’s have a look at some of the top ISPs in rural areas:
#1. Charter Spectrum
Yes, you read that right! Charter Spectrum is currently providing its services in rural areas as well. And why shouldn’t it be doing that? After all, it is one of the biggest providers in the United States that vows to connect the whole nation. So, what makes the company so special? Well, first of all, they don’t have any data caps. This means that you can enjoy Netflix without any worries. Then, they are widely known for delivering secure internet connections. Plus, they offer free antivirus software as well, making sure that you stay safe on the internet. Moreover, they have a dedicated customer support team who will always be there to help you out if you run into any connectivity issues. Depending on the location, their internet speeds start from 200Mbps.
#2. Xfinity
The second provider on this list is Xfinity. They, just like Charter Spectrum, have made it their mission to offer reliable internet to the rural areas. As of now, the company only offers cable internet. The good thing about this provider is that they offer blazing fast connection speeds, which start from 15Mbps and go all the way up to 250Mbps. Plus, their deals are also super affordable.
#3. CenturyLink
CenturyLink is another internet provider that deserves a spot on this list. The company is making a serious effort to change the internet situation in rural areas. This is the reason why they are offering DSL connections to the people residing in rural locations. The company offers cheap internet deals. Plus, they don’t bind users with contracts. If you are interested in opting for them, then do note that their download speeds start from 20Mbps. But it can go as higher as 940Mbps.
#4. Windstream
Coming in the fourth spot is Windstream. The internet provider is highly reliable and is doing a commendable job in making the rural areas more connected. They, just like CenturyLink are offering DSL internet. Their download speed can go as high as 1000Mbps. Plus, there are no data caps! What’s more? The provider doesn’t enforce any contracts.
Conclusion
It’s quite surprising to see that high-speed internet is still not able to reach rural areas of the country. But to tackle this problem, different ISPs are using both wired and unwired solutions. If you are wondering what a wired solution is, then it means that ISPs are stretching their DSL and Fiber Optic footprint to the rural areas so that everyone can get the internet at affordable rates. Whereas the unwired solutions refer to satellite broadband and 5G technology that the providers can roll out in those parts of the country so they can have the same quality of internet as in the urban areas. The providers are still making an effort to fully make their service available in rural locations. And it won’t be long before the digital divide ends.
