A good internet connection is considered a necessity in the US. But for many, it is still a luxury. You don’t believe me? Ask the ones who live in rural areas and farmhouses. They would surely agree.
Despite the efforts of so many people and organizations, there is still a huge divide. Where most of the cities have access to super-fast cable and fiber internet options with unlimited data plans, rural areas are still stuck with the maximum download speeds of less than 100 Mbps and monthly data limits.
And that’s not the end of it. These plans cost significantly more than what it costs to get a cable or fiber internet connection. That’s why many people still prefer to not have internet services at all, instead of paying for a connection that is expensive and doesn’t work properly.
The only way to get through such a situation is to put in efforts and So, to help you figure out the best internet options for farmhouses, let’s have a look at some of the best internet connections available in the rural areas.
- Satellite Internet
Satellite internet is among the most commonly available internet options in rural areas. That is mainly because it doesn’t rely on a wired network to offer internet services. Instead, the satellite internet connection uses satellite and dish antennas to offer connectivity to its customers.
That is the reason it is considered a top choice for customers who need fast and reliable internet services for their farmhouses.
A satellite internet connection is capable of offering a download speed of up to 100 Mbps. But most of the time, customers get a download speed that is somewhere around 25 Mbps – based on their plans and service providers.
For instance, HughesNet internet delivers a download speed of up to 25 Mbps nationwide. On the other hand, Viasat, which is the second big name for satellite internet, offers a download speed ranging from 12-100 Mbps based on the customer’s location.
However, satellite internet is expensive, has latency issues, and offers soft data caps with most of its plans. So, customers have to manage their data to avoid paying extra and have the same speed.
- DSL
The second internet option that is available for rural customers is via the DSL connection. It uses phone lines to deliver internet services and allows customers to enjoy faster speeds via a wired network.
So, if your farmhouse has a phone line, you can contact the service provider in the area and ask them about getting a DSL internet connection.
Moreover, it is reliable and doesn’t have latency issues like satellite internet. Moreover, it generally offers about 1 TB of data per month. That is more than enough for a majority of the households even when there are several internet users in the house.
Another benefit of the DSL is the lower monthly cost. You can mostly get any downloading speed being offered for less than $50 a month.
The DSL network offers a download speed ranging from 10 Mbps to up to 100 Mbps. And if your house is close to any DSL network center; you will probably be able to get a good speed. However, if your house has a phone line coming in but the network center is far from home, you might get a slower speed or no internet at all.
- Fixed Wireless
Fixed wireless is the third internet option in the countryside that offers good download speed and is cost-effective.
It is a combination of wired and a wireless network where a network tower connects to the wired network and then transfers signals to the antenna attached to the customer’s house. Due to that, it is easy for customers to get internet services, even when they are living on a farmhouse.
Moreover, it offers a download speed ranging from 5 Mbps to 50 Mbps depending upon the customer’s location.
The downside of fixed wireless is that it requires a clear line of sight between the tower and the antenna placed on the customer’s roof. So if there is anything in between such as trees or buildings, you might not get a strong single. That can result in slower speed or the possibility of not getting any internet connection at all.
Which Internet Connection is Best for a Farmhouse?
If we look at these three connection types, satellite internet seems to be the best option in terms of availability. That is because it doesn’t depend upon a wired network and offers internet services using a satellite dish antenna.
However, if you can get a better speed via DSL, prioritize that. That is because it will offer you an affordable internet connection with much more data than what a satellite connection can offer. Similarly, if you have fixed wireless available and the download speed being offered meets your requirements, you can choose that as well.
