Types of Nationwide Internet Service Providers
5G Home Internet
5G internet uses cellular networks to deliver high-speed internet at a competitive price. Its availability is expanding, thanks to the efforts of companies like T-Mobile and Verizon, but it's not yet accessible everywhere. The advertised range of 5G home internet is between 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps, which is a huge spread. We've never seen anyone get 1 Gbps with 5G yet, but you can definitely expect at least 200 Mbps, which certainly beats satellite internet.
Pros
Fast speeds (>100 Mbps)
Affordable prices
Cons
Unpredictable speeds
More limited availability
Satellite
Satellite internet relies on either geostationary (GEO) satellites or low earth orbit (LEO) satellites to transmit internet signals to subscriber dishes on the ground. It provides decent speeds and wide coverage, making it the best choice for folks who live in more rural areas of the country. The downside is that due to the long transmission distance (like, from outer space and back), it may have slower speeds and higher latency.
Pros
Up to 99% availability, even in rural areas
Speeds of up to 100Mbps
Cons
Unavoidable lag
Data restrictions
4G LTE Home Internet
Similar to 5G, 4G LTE Internet uses cellular networks to deliver internet. But where 5G is fast with more limited availability, 4G LTE internet has slower speeds—and much wider availability. Some 4G providers even cater specifically to rural users and digital nomads because of its impressive network coverage.
Pros
Unlimited data options with no cap
Wider availability than 5G
Cons
Slower speeds
DSL
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) internet uses your home phone lines to deliver internet connectivity without tying it up like dial-up used to (if you're older than 30, you remember the sound it used to make). DSL's speeds max out at 140 Mbps, which is better than dial-up speeds, but considerably slower than the majority of cable and fiber plans available.
Pros
Can be more reliable connection than satellite or wireless
Widely available in rural areas
Cons
Limited upload and download speeds
Cable
Cable internet connects homes with internet service using the same copper coaxial cable lines used for cable television. Cable delivers internet speeds anywhere from 50Mbps to 1,200 Mbps, and it’s the most widely available land-based internet. Unfortunately, cable lines can be expensive to install, so there are only a few cable providers in rural areas, which makes availability outside of cities more limited.
Pros
Fast download speeds
Widely available outside of rural areas
Cons
Limited availability in rural areas
Fiber
Instead of using coaxial cables or phone lines, fiber internet transmits internet signals through glass fibers, which can reach speeds up to 10,000 Mbps. Unfortunately, this infrastructure is expensive, so fiber is the least available out of all internet service types; you probably won’t find it outside of big metropolitan areas.
Pros
Fastest download and upload speeds
Cutting-edge technology
Cons
Limited availability
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Fiber Optic Internet: Offers the fastest and most reliable speeds, but availability and installation costs can be limiting.
- Cable Internet: Generally faster than DSL, widely available, but connection speeds may fluctuate during peak hours.
- Mobile Broadband (4G/5G): Highly portable with improving 5G speeds, but data caps and network congestion may impact performance.
- DSL Internet: More widely available and affordable than fiber, but slower speeds and performance variations based on distance.
- Satellite Internet: Accessible in remote areas, improving speeds, but higher latency and potential data caps may be drawbacks.
HughesNet and Viasat offer extensive satellite internet coverage, reaching approximately 99% of locations across the USA. It's highly likely that both of these providers are available in your area. Additionally, if you reside outside the southeastern US, you might have access to Starlink Internet as well. Starlink boasts faster speeds and more generous data caps compared to HughesNet and Viasat. However, it's worth noting that Starlink has faced challenges in managing its network due to overselling, which has occasionally impacted its service reliability.
Currently, T-Mobile Home Internet costs $50 a month. What's nice is that you don't have to add contract or equipment fees in your bill; everything is already factored into the $50/month price tag.
Viasat internet is available at monthly rates ranging from $39.99 (for speeds up to 12 Mbps) to $149.99 (100 Mbps), but keep in mind these prices are introductory offers and the price could go up. You get unlimited data with whatever Viasat plan you choose.
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