Why Is High-Speed Internet for Rural Areas Important?

The main reason why the internet usually lags behind in rural areas is due to the fact that the infrastructure is less than stellar. You see, the majority of rural areas still use phoneline internet, seeing as how this is the infrastructure (phone company cables) that they already have available.

Unlike in the cities, the majority of rural areas are scarcely populated, with huge swaths of empty grounds between households. This means that an internet provider would have to install miles and miles of infrastructure in order to reach a small number of users, which makes this infrastructural project not that cost-effective.

With all of this in mind and without further ado, here’s what you need to know about high-speed internet for rural areas, its importance, as well as available options for rural area residents.

Which internet connection is mostly used in rural areas?

In order to even start discussing this, it’s important that we define a rural area. According to the majority of internet provider statements, a rural area is a place whose population is between 10 and 200 per square mile.

There are several options that are commonly used in rural areas, but the most commonly used one depends on the area. In places where a landline internet is established, this is the most common option. In other areas, you usually have either satellite internet or a 4G wireless network.

Now, the key thing you need to bear in mind is that 4G depends on the network coverage of the area, while landline depends on the pre-existing infrastructure. On the other hand, satellite internet is universally available.

Sure, if you have the option, fiber optic internet would definitely be the fastest, most reliable choice. Still, chances are that you won’t actually have a choice but have to pick what’s available.

Can WIFI be installed in rural areas?

While Wi-Fi can be installed in some rural areas, there are some serious distance limitations that you need to take in mind. Sure, the technology is advancing on a daily level, and some major tech mergers (like Wi-MAX and Wi-Fi) could drastically change in the near future. Still, as of today, it just costs too much to bring bandwidth to a rural area, which is why it’s far more difficult.

Is the internet slow in rural areas?

While this is something that no internet provider in their right mind will ever admit to, the truth is that the general consensus of users from rural areas is that the internet is slower in these areas. This may not sound as intuitive, but the signal weakens as it travels, and it weakens the further it gets from the source. This means that regardless if you’re receiving a signal from a tower that’s far away or via a landline that doesn’t have a station nearby, there’s going to be some diminishing quality in the service that you receive.

How do I get high-speed broadband in rural areas?

It’s important to keep in mind that some young people move to rural areas in order to start an agriculture business. In today’s world, organic agriculture and homemade products have an incredible market value. However, in order to turn this into a business, you need more than just the production. You also need a sales platform and a window to the world.

This means that getting high-speed broadband is not just a matter of preference but also a requirement (pretty high on the priority list, at that).

The best course of action here is to get satellite internet from a trusted provider. Other than just giving high-speed coverage even to the most remote of areas, it’s also quite reliable and helps you remain self-sustainable. Having your own satellite receiver ensures that the infrastructure that you rely on (for the internet) is still your own.

Other than this, it provides a decent bandwidth ratio and gives you multi-device access, which is exactly what you need. It’s strong enough for videoconferences, which are one of the most connection-intensive activities. The service trust is through the roof, and the installation is quite rapid.

Just remember that it’s still up to a provider when talking about the quality of service that you’ll receive.

How can I boost my internet signal in rural areas?

Boosting your internet signal in rural areas is a process that is definitely possible but will give you a limited result. The best example of this is antenna amplifiers. They extend the coverage by amplifying the signals that are currently reaching you, which reveals one of their deficiencies to begin with.

There are many such internet signal boosters on the market, and the majority of them are really not that expensive. So, keep in mind that while this is worth trying and won’t put too much burden on your budget (even if it doesn’t give you the desired result), it is for the best to not raise your expectations too high.

Do signal boosters work in rural areas?

Signal boosters are quite literally designed for rural areas. After all, they were conceived as a solution to the specific problem that you have as an internet user living in a remote area (where the signal is rapidly falling off). It’s there to capture, amplify, and rebroadcast the signal. As such, it can be quite effective. As a potential solution, it’s also highly dependable and affordable. Also, keep in mind that not all antennas are made the same. The higher quality you get, the better the result.

What is normal rural internet speed?

As we’ve already mentioned, when it comes to speed, rural areas lag behind metropolitan areas. However, due to the very nature of things, they also lag behind the national average. For instance, in rural areas, the average internet speed is 39.01 Mbps, while the national average is around 43.8 Mbps.

Now, for a regular household (social media, online games, YouTube videos), this isn’t that much of a difference, but for someone who tries to hold a video conference, this is a huge thing.

Keep in mind that, due to the higher popularization of remote work, a lot of highly-paid specialists are considering moving to a rural area. For them, the region that they live in is no longer a restriction. What is restricting is, naturally, their internet speed which might be somewhat lower in a rural area.

In Conclusion

To make the long story short, the main reason why high-speed internet is important is due to the fact that, in the modern day, even farmers and self-sufficient homesteads heavily depend on the internet. We use it for education, information, entertainment, and even everyday processes. The biggest challenge here lies in the fact that high-speed internet is either unavailable in remote locations or quite expensive. Still, this is an equation that every household needs to make on their own and see what their high-speed internet access is worth to them.

My name is Stacey Shannon and I am a freelance writer based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. I am really passionate about writing and I consider myself a creative person, and a cat lover.