If you live in a rural area or small town, you probably understand the difficulty with getting a quality internet connection. Getting both high speed and great connection is not easy, and it’s often expensive. While there are several current options for rural internet, choosing the right option isn’t always easy. We’ve outlined the four main options, with pros and cons of each!

Mobile Wireless Internet

Mobile wireless internet is a great rural internet choice! This is an internet service that is reliant on cell phone coverage. This option provides strong home internet connections, even when other options are unavailable due to the rural location. Typically, you install the company’s specific router and then are able to use their internet coverage. Since it’s a mobile option, you can even take it on the go.

Pros

• Unlimited data. A huge advantage of using mobile wireless internet is the access to unlimited data. With many internet choices, you run into the issue of not having enough data or bandwidth. With mobile wireless internet, that issue is resolved.
• High speed. With this internet choice, your connection, download, and upload speeds are very high and stable as long as you have cell service in the area. In most areas, you won’t have to worry about internet speed while using this internet choice.

Cons

• Price. The router often costs more for mobile wireless internet than for fixed internet. Luckily, this is only a one-time cost rather than a recurring one.
• You need cell phone service to use it. If you don’t get a good cell phone connection in your location, you won’t be able to use these internet services.

Fixed Wireless Internet

Fixed wireless internet is considered the most popular internet option for many people. This internet option works by a main access point communicating to other receivers.

Pros

• Easy setup. Fixed wireless internet isn’t hard to install. In fact, installation requires very little effort. It’s also easy to care for, as there aren’t wires connecting everything, and instead provides a hassle-free service.
• High speed. This type of internet is reliably quick. You don’t have to worry about your internet speed changing or slowing down, and you’ll have a reliable download and upload speed as well.
• High bandwidth. In comparison to other internet options, fixed wireless internet provides a high bandwidth, often with many options to choose from. Depending on the size of your family and your internet usage, you can choose the amount you need and adjust it as time goes on.

Cons

• No flexibility. Fixed wireless internet is completely tethered to your home. You won’t have a connection outside of your house, and the connection doesn’t reach very far. If there’s anything disrupting the connection as well, such as a building, you won’t have a stable connection. This may cause some issues with some rural livers, as you rely on connection outside of just your living space.
• Price. Fixed wireless internet can often be more on the expensive side. With its high speed and high bandwidth, it often costs more money monthly than other options, which can be a major downside of this option.

DSL Internet

DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line, and is another popular choice. This internet option uses existing telephone lines in order to be an internet option for rural areas. CenturyLink and Frontier are two of the most popular choices for this internet option.

Pros

• Price. This internet option is typically rather affordable, with some options being as low as just over $20 a month. The price is generally around this, and when compared to some other options, much more affordable.
• Easy to no set-up. Since DSL internet comes from pre-existing telephone lines, very little set-up is required for the user. Installation only requires a modem and router.
• Unlimited data. Most (but not all) DSL internet providers provide unlimited data with their plans, for no additional cost. Not having to worry about data usage is a huge stress reliever!

Cons

• Quality. DSL can sometimes provide low-quality services, depending on the area you’re in. If you aren’t close to your internet service provider, you run the risk of your quality of service being damaged.
• Not available everywhere. Similar to mobile wireless internet, if you don’t already have the necessary equipment for connection, you won’t be able to use this internet choice. So if you don’t live near telephone lines or other DSL options, you won’t be able to use DSL internet.

Satellite Internet

Satellite internet works from a satellite being installed on your home or location. The satellite itself is the only thing that you need to get internet, other than your router and modem – no underground wires or cell phone connection necessary. Popular providers include Starlink and HughesNet.

Pros

• Connection anywhere. Satellite is a great internet option for rural areas if you live in an area that doesn’t get other internet connections. If you don’t have cell phone towers nearby, or other internet access points, satellite internet will still provide you with a connection.
• Reliable speed. Speed is usually not an issue with satellite internet. It’s much faster than some internet choices, including dial-up. While it isn’t the fastest available, it’s reliable.

Cons

• Weather-dependent. Weather may have a big impact on your internet connection, since it comes from a satellite outside. Big storms, heavy winds, and snow may disrupt your internet connection, making it very weather-dependent.

Choose Nomad Internet for Optimal Internet Service

Choosing the perfect internet choice for rural internet is important. Depending on where you are, some options will be better than others. With its mobile internet options, Nomad Internet will provide you with the best internet connection, wherever you are!