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Compared with U.S. downtowns and metropolitans, internet options in rural areas have always been limited. However, over the years, some remarkable internet service providers, like AT&T, CenturyLink, and Kinetic by Windstream have made efforts to improve the internet quality and coverage for the rural population.

Fortunately, the latest technologies are constantly expanding their coverage areas in this rapidly evolving world. But it can be a little difficult to find or compare the internet options that perform well where driveways are gravel and backyard means areas of pasture.

We will help you determine the best rural internet options you have in 2023. Learn what distinguishes them from each other, and choose an internet service that will keep you connected at all times. So, let’s get started!

Types of Rural Internet Connections

Some of the most common rural internet options are DSL, satellite internet, and fixed wireless. Cable internet is also available, but cable internet providers are often not quite prominent in rural areas. Mobile data running on 4G and, more recently, 5G have also made remote access to the internet a lot easier than before, but it can run a little more expensive. As far as fiber internet is concerned, rural areas have little to no access to it.

DSL

DSL is a great option for rural internet due to the solid connection and affordable rates it offers – at least compared to local satellite internet options. Since the infrastructure is a lot easier to set up as compared to cable and other services, DSL has quite an impressive wide coverage throughout rural America. DSL internet speeds typically range between 1 Mbps and 35 Mbps. Plus, with the advancement in recent years, DSL-based networks are now offering up to 100 Mbps for downloads. However, the speed available at your exact address may vary depending on the distance from your provider’s hub. AT&T, CenturyLink, and Windstream fall in this category of internet services.

Satellite Internet

If you are located in one of the hard-to-reach rural areas where DSL services are not available, satellite internet is a reliable option. It is available almost all around the U.S., and since it is essentially wireless – needs little infrastructure to reach you. However, satellite internet is typically pricier than other internet options, gets affected by severe weather, and has low data caps – which can be quite annoying. HughesNet is the most popular satellite internet service in the U.S., with over 1 million subscribers.

Fixed Wireless Internet

Fixed Wireless is yet another service that you can find in some of the more difficult rural areas where DSL cannot quite reach. In comparison to satellite internet, fixed wireless tends to be more affordably priced and provides you high-speed internet for most basic use. However, there are downsides to this service, such as limited speeds and data. Plus, it does require a backhaul internet connection, so there has to be some basic infrastructure available. Additionally, you are expected to install an antenna to receive the signals. Rise Broadband is one of the most widely available fixed wireless internet services in the U.S. today.

Cable Internet

Although it is still quite restricted, some rural areas may actually receive a little cable internet. As providers are expanding their coverage areas and trying to penetrate into rural areas, this is becoming more available than before. It is a great option to have because it can set you up with really high-speed internet and sometimes even come without data limits. However, depending on the provider and location, you may have to pay more for your cable internet. On the bright side though, you get to enjoy faster internet speeds than any other service, generous data allowance, and a dependable connection. Xfinity and Spectrum are two of the most popular cable internet options for rural areas where available.

Mobile Data and Hotspots

Mobile data is good enough to use if you are on the go or want to share the internet with your friends and family via a mobile hotspot. You may have hotspot data as a part of your current mobile phone package, and rural areas often do have good 4G and 5G access in most areas. So, it is a good way to access the internet. AT&T Wireless is a great option to choose if you need data on the go. You can pick an unlimited data plan and stay connected no matter where you are!

However, do bear in mind that this is more of a temporary fix rather than permanent – it’s best if you are out trekking in the wild or visiting up north for a week. This is because the service can be spotty in certain areas and your data can quickly run out with limited plans.

Top Internet Service Provider for Rural Area Customers

Now that we have discussed all the internet services available in the region, it is time to look at some of the most popular Wi-Fi internet providers in rural areas. So here we go!

Best High-Speed Internet Over a DSL-Based Network

AT&T

AT&T is known for its widespread coverage throughout the U.S., with over 15 million internet customers in its fold. AT&T serves its internet in over 21 states and works with a number of different technologies to deliver a good experience for everyone. From high-speed IPBB to Fiber internet, AT&T has everyone covered. Most of the AT&T Internet in rural areas is high-speed IPBB, which is a mix of DSL and other modern technologies to deliver faster speeds than ever before and connect your home in rural America to good and reliable internet service.

AT&T high-speed internet has some of the biggest networks in the U.S. available to millions of people. High-speed internet from AT&T ensures that most people on the network receive speeds of 25 Mbps or above – which is quite adequate for basic home use. You always get the highest speed tier available at your address. Couple that with the fact that AT&T internet plans are priced quite affordably and come with substantial data allowance, making it one of the most popular internet services.

AT&T Internet Plans

Let us look at some of the AT&T internet plans for rural customers. To check availability in your area, reach out to us at 855-925-2541.

Internet Plan Max Download Speed Data Allowance Price
Internet 25 25 Mbps 1.5 TB $55/mo. plus taxes
For 12 months. Autopay and paperless billing required.
Internet 75 50 Mbps 1.5 TB
Internet 100 100 Mbps Unlimited $55/mo. plus taxes
For 12 months. Autopay and paperless billing required.

Data effective as of publish date. For the recent plans and prices, call 855-925-2541.

Sign Up for AT&T Packages

To check availability in your area call at 855-925-2541

CenturyLink

Of all the different DSL internet providers in the U.S. CenturyLink is by far the local favorite when it comes to rural internet. It offers an extensive nationwide network that extends out to 16 states. CenturyLink is particularly well-known for its wide availability making it the 3rd largest provider of residential DSL internet in the U.S.

Some of the best things that you get to enjoy with CenturyLink Internet in rural areas include:

  • No data caps. No matter what plan you choose, you get to enjoy unlimited data with all internet plans. This means there is more than enough data for your work, home, and all other needs!
  • No contracts. All CenturyLink Internet plans come without any contracts. You can just pay on a month-to-month basis and stay free as you like

CenturyLink Internet Plans

Here is a look at the most popular CenturyLink Internet Plan for rural customers. To check availability in your area, call 855-349-9310.

Internet Plan Speed Price
Simply Unlimited Internet Up to 100 Mbps $55/mo.
In select markets. Paperless billing required. Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply.

Data effective as of publish date. For the recent plans and prices, call 855-349-9310.

Sign Up for CenturyLink Packages

To check availability in your area call at 855-349-9310

Kinetic by Windstream

Windstream is another DSL internet provider that is quite a hit with the rural population. While Windstream also offers pure Fiber to customers across the U.S., it has a much larger network of DSL Internet. Its services are available to people in 18 states, and you can rely on not just high-speed internet but at incredible prices. Complete with unlimited data and no contracts to tie you down to the service. Bundling with a home phone is also available for more value and you can get your money’s worth with Windstream if you are anywhere in its coverage map.

High-speed DSL with Windstream Kinetic supports speeds up to 100 Mbps and is one of the cheapest rural internet plans. You only have to pay $39.99 per month for 12 months. Auto-pay and paperless billing are required to qualify for this internet plan. Plus, depending on where you live, you might get even more promotions such as a reward card. So do not forget to check for any such discounts or promotions before you get the service.

Kinetic by Windstream Internet Plans

Take a look at Kinetic by Windstream internet plan. To learn more about Kinetic by Windstream, reach out to Windstream customer service at 855-349-9312.

Internet Plan Speed Price
Kinetic Internet Basic Up to 100 Mbps $39.99/mo.
for 12 months. Incl. a $10.00/mo. AutoPay and a $2.00/mo. paperless billing discount.

Data effective as of publish date. For the recent plans and prices, call 855-349-9312.

Sign Up for Windstream Packages

To check availability in your area call at 855-349-9312

Best Satellite Internet in Rural Areas

HughesNet

HughesNet is the biggest satellite internet provider in the U.S. internet arena and offers a number of different speed tiers to customers. Recent advancements in HughesNet tech also mean that the internet it offers appears to be faster with low latency compared to other satellite providers. You get to enjoy speeds up to 50 Mbps or choose a data plan that fits your needs. Plus, the Wi-Fi feature comes built into your internet modem so you can get a wireless connection for all your home devices.

One of the best things about HughesNet is that it does not come with any hard data caps – rather if you go over the limit, you can stay connected at lower speeds. Or, you can purchase extra HughesNet data tokens and restore your internet speed if you like. The choice is yours. You also get a Bonus data zone of 50 GB per month to use between the off-peak hours of 2 AM and 8 AM. There are also video data saver features that adjust the rate at which data is consumed especially while streaming.

Since the technology is costly and technical to set up, Satellite internet is typically considered more expensive than other internet services. But it is still a reliable internet option in most places. And HughesNet does give you a variety of perks to join their tribe.

HughesNet Internet Plans

Here is a look at all the HughesNet internet plans that you can get for your home. To learn more, reach out to HughesNet customer service at 855-349-9309.

HughesNet Internet Plan Download/Upload Speed Data Allowance Pricing
15 GB 15/3 Mbps 15 GB $49.99/mo.
Equipment lease or purchase fees extra.
50 GB 25/3 Mbps 50 GB $49.99/mo.
for the first 12 months. In select markets with a 24-month agreement
Fusion 100 GB 25/3 Mbps 100 GB $74.99/mo.
for the first 12 months. In select markets with a 24-month agreement
Fusion 200 GB 50/3 Mbps 200 GB $149.99/mo.
for the first 12 months. In select markets with a 24-month agreement

*. Data effective as of publish date. For the latest plans and pricing in your area, please call 855-349-9309.

Sign Up for HughesNet Packages

To check availability in your area call at 855-349-9309

Best Fixed Wireless Internet in Rural Areas

Rise Broadband

Rise broadband is a fixed wireless internet service, which keeps people in the underserved suburbs and rural areas connected to the internet. Rise broadband extends its service in 16 states and is available to over 20 million people. Although the basic internet network of fixed wireless does work over a wired connection, quite like cable or fiber, the setup is easier and less pricey to build. This is because the ‘last mile’ of the internet signal for fixed wireless essentially travels over the air through a focused point-to-point wireless connection. You need a clear line of sight from the transmitter to the receiver end for this internet service without any obstructions.

Rise Broadband Internet Plans

Here is a look at some of the internet plans that you can enjoy with Rise Broadband – throughout rural America. To learn more about the service, call 844-343-1169at any time.

Internet Plan Download Speeds Data Allowance For Pricing & Availability
Rise Broadband Internet 25 Mbps Plan 25 Mbps 250 GB/mo. or unlimited data Call Now
Rise Broadband Internet 50 Mbps Plan 50 Mbps 250 GB/mo. or unlimited data Call Now
Rise Broadband Internet 100 Mbps Plan 100 Mbps 250 GB/mo. or unlimited data Call Now

Data effective as of publish date. For the latest plans and pricing in your area, call 844-343-1169.

Sign Up for Rise Broadband Packages

To check availability in your area call at 844-343-1169

Best Cable Internet for Rural Areas

When it comes to cable internet in rural areas, service is still considered limited at this point. Due to the huge costs of setting down the cable infrastructure in these remote areas of the country, not many providers venture down this path. However, there are a couple of industry favorites that are making an effort to bring internet to the people in underserved areas. Xfinity and Spectrum are usually the ones widely available and offer internet plans that fit everybody.

Xfinity

Xfinity is one of the leading cable internet providers in the U.S. broadband industry serving over 30 million customers in 36 states. With one of the largest internet networks in the country, Xfinity is looking to expand its footprint even further, taking it to the rural sides of America. The provider is known for the value and features it offers to its internet customers including;

  • A variety of speed tiers ranging from 75 Mbps to 1200 Mbps in most regions
  • Different pricing for plans from high to low so everyone finds something to fit their budget
  • Generous data allowance of 1.2 TB with all plans
  • Flexible term agreements with an option to go contract-free
  • Easy bundling with other services such as Xfinity X1 TV, Voice, and Xfinity Home

While it is still limited in rural areas, the 10G Xfinity advantage might be coming to your area soon. The pricing for Xfinity internet plans starts from $19.99 per month.

Xfinity Internet Plans

Here, take a look at a few Xfinity internet plans in the west region. Remember that Xfinity plans and pricing may vary depending on your location. To check for the exact plans at your address, call 844-207-8721.

Xfinity Internet Plan Max. Download Speed Price
Connect 75 Mbps $19.99/mo.
for 12 months with a 1-year term contract. Taxes & equipment not included. Automatic payments and paperless billing are required.
Connect More 200 Mbps $35/mo.
for 24 months. No Term Contract. Taxes not included. Automatic payments and paperless billing are required.
Fast 400 Mbps $50/mo.
for 24 months. No Term Contract. Taxes not included. Automatic payments and paperless billing are required.

Sign Up for Xfinity Packages

To check availability in your area call at 844-207-8721

Spectrum

Spectrum is another cable internet provider with footprint in 41 states, making it one of the largest providers in the U.S.. Although it already has a rather impressive footprint, in recent years, Spectrum has also become a part of the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF). According to this FCC initiative, Spectrum is now making efforts to deploy high-speed internet connections in rural areas. This multi-year and multi-million dollar project includes 24 states and is expected to take a few years to complete, with an estimate of around 2028.

Spectrum as an internet provider gets you everything you want in an internet service. The internet plans range from 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps with no contracts, unlimited data, and FREE. A Wi-Fi feature built into the modem can be activated for just $5/mo. There is a contract buyout of up to $500 if you bundle with Spectrum TV.

Spectrum Internet Plans

Let us take a look at the Spectrum internet plans. For more information about the service and availability in your area, call 844-481-5997 today!

Spectrum Internet Plans Max. Download Speed Price
Spectrum Internet 300 Mbps $49.99/mo.
For 12 months with auto pay
Spectrum Ultra 500 Mbps $69.99/mo.
For 12 months with auto pay
Spectrum Gig 1 Gbps $89.99/mo.
For 12 months with auto pay

Data effective as of publish date. For the latest plans and pricing in your area, please call 844-481-5997.

Sign Up forSpectrum Packages

To check availability in your area call at 844-481-5997

Conclusion

Customers in rural areas have long suffered from underservice in their areas especially when it comes to internet. However, some internet providers do make an effort to serve these areas and the service has steadily increased over time. FCC is taking necessary initiatives to narrow the digital divide and make high-speed internet available to most people around the U.S. So, it is only a matter of time before it reaches all locations.

Choosing the right internet provider for your home can be tricky, but if you understand your needs and research well, it may become easier. To explore rural internet options in your area, reach out to our experts at 855-349-9328.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How to get fiber optic internet in a rural area?

Fiber Internet in rural areas is still pretty much a fantasy. This is because the infrastructure is quite expensive to set down and difficult to do due to the far-flung and remote nature of these areas. But you can still get high-speed internet in your area – just give us a call at 855-349-9328 and we will help you through the process.

How to get free internet in rural areas?

Unless you are connected to a free public Wi-Fi network, it is not easy to find free internet in rural areas. These communities still regard the internet as something of a luxury and unless you have an internet plan of your own – it might be difficult to get by. To explore the most affordable internet plans for rural areas, call 855-349-9328.

John

John is well-versed in the world of SEO and digital marketing. With a wealth of experience in the industry, they possess a deep understanding of the latest trends and techniques for optimizing the best bargain deals online. They are equipped with a comprehensive knowledge of AT&T, Optimum, and Mediacom, which enables them to write the most detailed guides. Their writing is both informative and engaging, providing readers with valuable insights and actionable advice for improving their online presence.