Why Rural Residents Should Know the Differences Between Internet Types

While the Internet has a near-universal presence throughout the world, there are different ways of connecting devices to the World Wide Web. These methods for providing an Internet connection are not one-size-fits-all. Different types of Internet services have different strengths and weaknesses, so it is important for Internet users to familiarize themselves with the pros and cons of the different Internet types.

Wired Internet is the oldest type of Internet and it was the only type of Internet connection readily available to the public during the early days of the Internet’s existence. Dial-up Internet was the earliest incarnation of wired Internet. Though it was widely used in the ‘80s and ‘90s, it is considered slow and outdated compared to today’s options, such as fiber optic Internet. Fiber optic Internet is one of the fastest and most reliable types of Internet, but it is not available in every part of the United States.

Rural residents who live in areas with no adequate infrastructure for fiber optics and other types of broadband Internet must rely on the strengths provided by alternative rural Internet service providers. While dial-up Internet is still cheap and widely available in rural areas, you may want an Internet provider with better performance. Unlimited satellite Internet providers like HughesNet are fast and accessible. They are also expensive and they generally suffer from high levels of latency. Unlimited 4G rural Internet providers such as UbiFi use cell towers to provide high-speed Internet access with low latency. UbiFi also does not enforce data caps, eliminating expensive overage fees. Whether you choose UbiFi, HughesNet, or AOL, be sure to do research on which provider fits your needs best.