How Do I Get Rural Wi-Fi?

Living in a rural area sure has its unique appeal, but one possible pitfall is the unavailability of internet choices. That is primarily due to the lack of interest of internet providers in building new network infrastructures to offer better services in rural areas because the smaller the number of subscribers they get per mile, the more they lose on the investment.

Most internet service providers believe investing in the internet for rural areas is not worth their time and resources—thus stimulating the digital gap between Americans who have access to a high-speed internet service at home, and those who lack it. With that said, the FCC and some ISPs have joined hands to change that and bridge this digital gap by extending availability of high-speed internet connections to many rural areas that have been neglected for way too long.   

What is the Best Internet Option for Rural Areas?

If you are shopping for internet services in rural America, it is imperative to know your options—no matter how meager they maybe—to make sure you are signing up for the best internet provider available in your area.

Traditionally, DSL internet has been the one option readily available to rural America because it utilizes copper phone lines to transmit data. And, the copper phone line network covers 90% of the land mass in the US. Albeit, faster than dial up internet, DSL speeds can be real slow if you reside far away from the provider’s hub which contributes to delivered speeds being slower than the broadband benchmark set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) i.e. 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds. And, if you have to pay a dear price for speeds that do not qualify as broadband internet, you must consider other venues.

Satellite internet is a readily available rural internet option one that is able to give residents access to high-speed internet as fast as 25/3 Mbps and from coast to coast. But, it comes with a price tag that is not to the liking of most subscribers.

Fixed Wireless, now accessible in 45% of the U.S., is yet another internet service type available in the rural internet market with speeds much higher than traditional DSL. A little on the pricier end, it does make for a great option if you are located in the line of sight of the provider’s access point.

Last but not least, a few cable providers too have extended their reach to parts of rural America, helping communities access a fast cable broadband service albeit it is not nearly as widely available as any other rural internet type.

Thus people residing in rural regions may not have to continue settling for the slow DSL or pricey satellite internet, if another option has become available in their area. But what you must keep in mind is what internet type is able to deliver, and match that output with your needs.

How can I Get Wi-Fi in Rural Areas?

If you are sick and tired of seeing your city friends boasting about their high-speed Wi-Fi, don’t worry—access to fast in-home Wi-Fi may be available in your rural neighborhood too! The best way to find out the providers available in your area is to run your Zip Code here. Almost every other company asks for your ZIP code to confirm service availability in your area.

If you do not find the results satisfactory, call at 1-855-349-9328 for assistance.

For rural Wi-Fi, you will also need a router along with compatible internet-enabled devices. You can either rent a wireless router from your provider or purchase it from a third party. After that, just follow the easy and quick installation procedure that is not time-consuming at all for the tech savvy.

The good news is some big players in the U.S. ISP industry, like AT&T, are even offering the mobile hot spot feature with their wireless service.  

What is the Best Wi-Fi for Rural areas?

Searching for a good Wi-Fi provider in your rural neighborhood may take some cognizance, but it can be made absolutely fuss-free. We have shortlisted some of the best rural internet providers. So you don’t have to worry about finding the right one. All you have to do is dial 1-855-349-9328, and collect all the details regarding which of the following providers are providing services at your address.

CenturyLink – DSL Internet Provider

The Louisiana-based provider CenturyLink remains strong with its impressive DSL footprint in rural America. The major selling point of CenturyLink, among rural communities and beyond, is the Price for Life guarantee. Once you become a CenturyLink subscriber, you are not required to sign up for any annual contract and you pay for your subscription on a month-to-month basis.

With CenturyLink, you don’t have to worry about the in-home wireless network as its plans present one of the best Wi-Fi options for people living in rural areas. The provider takes care of all your concerns regarding wall-to-wall Wi-Fi coverage. It puts at your disposal Secure Wi-Fi technology built into the most leased CenturyLink Gateways—so all incoming traffic is guarded against cyber threats.

Plus, CenturyLink Gateway lets you connect multiple devices at once—making it possible for all your family members to do their own thing. It comes with innovative technology— Global Threat Intelligence —that detects dangerous sites, so you can connect all your smart home devices to your in-home Wi-Fi network without any security threat. Plus, My CenturyLink app lets you personalize your network, set up parental controls, manage and monitor all connected devices, and more!

Take a look at some of the best CenturyLink internet plans available in rural America:

AT&T – IPBB, DSL, and Fixed Wireless Internet Provider

AT&T endeavors to connect rural America. The provider’s long-reigning telecom giant reputation makes its DSL internet service the primary preference of several rural Americans. Wherever the wired network infrastructure is limited, AT&T offers fixed wireless internet service. And, for areas that lack coverage from both wired and fixed wireless networks, the provider utilizes 3G LTE and 4G LTE tech to make sure its mobile broadband becomes a viable rural internet option.

As far as speeds are concerned, they are slower than what’s available to urban residents but considering other options in rural regions, AT&T Internet is the best bet for limited but necessary usage.

As for the perks that come included with your AT&T Internet plan—subscribers qualify to access over 30,000 Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide. No more hunting around for an open Wi-Fi signal that might even expose you to the dangers of an unsafe network. Plus, AT&T is quite generous with data caps, offering a 1TB data allowance which may amount to nearly unlimited from the viewpoint of standard usage.

All 12 Mbps and higher AT&T internet plans put at your disposal an advanced Wi-Fi Gateway which is compatible with AT&T Smart Wi-Fi. State-of-the-art smart AT&T equipment with the latest mesh technology lets you connect all your devices to the internet without any complications. Forget dead zones as you move around the house. And that’s not all, subscribers also get a Smart Home Manager app to track internet usage, enforce Parental Controls, and manage connected devices.  

Take a look at the available AT&T Internet speed range:

Xfinity – Cable Internet Provider

Xfinity from Comcast is unarguably the most reliable internet provider for rural residents where available.

You get access to millions of Xfinity Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide. And, with regards to in-home Wi-Fi coverage, Xfinity gives subscribers the option to get the xFi Gateway that serves as both a modem and Wi-Fi router. It extends coverage to every nook and cranny of your house and gives you a better control over your network. Plus, it allows you to benefit from the best possible speeds Xfinity offers in your area. You can manage and control connected devices, implement parental control, and do a lot more via the Xfinity app!

Here is a look at Xfinity internet speeds that may be available:

Bottom Line

Rural America has an internet access problem and it is dubious that cable or fiber providers will fast expand into rural areas. But until then satellite, Fixed Wireless and 5G technologies could help leap the digital chasm to a limited extent.  

If you are looking for good rural Wi-Fi  in your area, just enter your ZIP code here. Or you can speak to a professional at 1-855-349-9328! They will provide you all the necessary details regarding services available in your area. And also help you choose the best option depending on your needs and budget.

FAQs

1. Can I get Wi-Fi without an Internet provider?

Yes, here are some ways you can get Wi-Fi without signing up for an internet provider:

2. What are Internet options for rural areas?

Some of the most common internet options for rural areas include fixed wireless, mobile broadband, satellite, and DSL. Cable though available to some rural communities is nonetheless limited in availability.

3. How does rural Wi-Fi work?

Rural Wi-Fi works on the same principle as an in-home Wi-Fi network anywhere else. It requires a connection to an ISP’s terrestrial or wireless network. Fixed Wireless and Mobile broadband signals are transmitted via towers. Internet signal reaches your modem via copper phone lines when you have a DSL connection. And satellite internet reaches you via an orbiting satellite. In each case a modem receives the signal and transmits it to internet-enabled devices via the Wi-Fi router.  

4. How do rural people get Internet?

Traditionally, dial up, DSL and satellite internet have been the choices available to rural residents. Over the years, communities have come to access cable broadband in select regions, while Fixed Wireless and Mobile Broadband are other options that are available to rural America.