The rural USA. Ah yes, the great wide open doors. The smell of fresh, clean air. Clear blue skies and open country. Freedom. Quiet. What’s not to love? Some people enjoy the distance they have from technology by living in the country. Sometimes not knowing what is going on out there can be more peaceful. Others develop an interest in keeping up on current events or staying more in touch with their community, family, and friends. The fastest and easiest way to stay connected is high-speed Internet service. More and more people also use the Internet as a source of income. For some, the Internet isn’t just a luxury- it is necessary. People have home-based businesses, go to school online, work part-time from home, or one rising trend many people are finding success in is buying and selling on eBay.
For some, the economy has forced them to move out of the city and look into other more affordable areas to live. Lower mortgages, affordable school costs, and cheaper taxes can make rural areas a more attractive place to live. Quality of life seems more attainable with lower financial burdens. Once a place is established, getting the lights and gas turned on is a no-brainer. Setting up mail forwarding is easy. Next on the list: high-speed Internet service. Sometimes not so easy. People in rural areas often have difficulty with this. They can’t find anyone that provides high-speed rural Internet service in their area Plan Trussler.
Finding rural Internet providers is not easy. Local phone and Internet providers service areas where they can remain profitable and stay in business. If there are not enough people living in a centralized area, it might not seem attractive for an Internet provider to provide rural Internet in that area. Sometimes people are just on the “cut off” of where a provider starts and stops their coverage. Someone’s next store neighbor may have high-speed DSL Internet, but when they call for an appointment, they are told they do not service the address because they are too far away even though they are right next door.
Satellite television providers such as DISH Network and Direct TV are popular in rural areas because cable companies don’t always reach the area. Direct TV usually works with local Internet providers, if available, and can sometimes provide a bundled service or a “Direct TV Bundle.” DISH Network previously partnered with rural satellite Internet provider Wild Blue, and at one point, could provide bundled TV and Internet service or a “DISH Network Bundle.” The DISH Network, EchoStar, recently teamed up with rural satellite Internet provider giant Hughes Net. The two are now teaming up to provide high-speed rural Internet through Hughes Net satellite Internet and TV service through DISH Network. Hughes Net and Sky Blue are the rural Internet providers for remote, rural, and country areas.
Some people go wireless. Also called an “air-card.” An air-card is a little USB device that hooks into your computer or laptop. These work great if you have enough signal strength. The downside to air cards is they use the cellular network and function on signal strength, which is not always strong or consistent in remote areas. There are also monthly limitations, restrictions, and overages on air-cards for rural Internet.
When local providers such as Charter, Comcast, Verizon, or ATT don’t service the area as rural Internet providers and air-cards aren’t working cause of the signal strength, speed, or usage restrictions, satellite Internet services these country areas and is usually the only option for rural Internet. Satellite Internet providers such as Starband, Wild Blue or Sky Blue, and Hughes Net provide high-speed rural Internet to un-served areas where DSL and cable Internet do not reach. Rural Internet providers are now available and at blazing high satellite speed.
People and businesses in rural areas enjoy the flexibility of not needing a phone line with satellite Internet. There is no phone line required, and because satellite Internet providers Sky Blue and Hughes Net have service everywhere, they are usually the only high-speed rural Internet providers. Just like satellite television, a satellite dish is installed outside the house, and a modem is provided that connects to the Internet. The dish uses advanced wireless signals allowing for a fast high-speed ‘always on’ Internet connection and making satellite Internet the fastest rural Internet provider. A wireless router can be hooked up to provide wireless Internet with a laptop anywhere in the house. People enjoy the flexibility to be able to access the Internet anywhere in the house. Whether in the kitchen, the bedroom, the family room, the den, or even the porch, satellite Internet can also wirelessly provide rural Internet.
