Internet in Rural Areas: Finding the Best Internet Providers by Zip Code
Life in rural areas can be as beautiful as you imagine. Fresh air and open spaces and friendly folks are some of the reasons why people choose to reside in Rural America. The only downside of living in a rural area is having slow or no internet connectivity at all. When you search for the best internet service providers based on Zipcode, you run up against a small list of plans and providers. Staying connected to the internet is absolutely necessary in this era of technology can be challenging in rural areas.
Why the State of Broadband In Rural America Important?
The internet hasn’t been in our lives for a long time but ever since the Internet has become a basic necessity for a lot of people. Most Americans rely on broadband services for basic necessities, entertainment and day to day activities. But when you live in a Rural area your options for high-speed broadband options become fewer. All the crucial business operations, like public schools and government bodies like Municipalities, rely on broadband connections for daily activities.
When Internet providers offer you internet connectivity in a rural zip code area you don’t have much high-speed broadband options. Rural areas don’t have access to Fiber, Cable and DSL internet connectivity. Internet connectivity has helped a lot of people over the course of time. The Internet can help people access their daily needs. Children can access anything and everything that they need to study or learn about. All sorts of information are really easily accessible through the internet.
What are Rural Internet Options?
Millions of people in America access to a broadband connection and still, there is not much internet connectivity in rural areas. According to a survey by FCC (Federal communications commission), almost 40% of rural Americans don’t have access to Broadband internet connectivity. Whereas only 4% of people who reside in cities don’t have internet connectivity.
Some people may only have 1 option when they are choosing an internet provider for rural areas. The FCC defines a minimum of 25MBPS download speed and 3 MBPS upload speed as the broadband connection. This is the average internet speed which is crucial to perform all the internet related activities. While the speed is not that much, people who live in rural areas can’t even get that with reliability.
Overall, America’s wired broadband scene is improving day by day as the cities and states recognize the benefits of having great internet connectivity. People residing in rural America who search for internet connectivity in “zip code” they nearly come up empty. Satellite internet connection is the only connection that is easily available in rural areas.
Availability in Rural Areas
Satellite Internet’s biggest perk is that it is available almost everywhere. It usually doesn’t require any hardwiring, you just have to get a dish installed atop your roof. The drawback on satellite internet is the data is measured and even on the most unlimited plans, the speed is slowed down when you go over a certain data limit. If you reach your data cap before the month ends then you’ll have to surf the internet with 1-3 MBPS speed.
Pros |
Cons |
Widely available |
Slow internet |
Faster speed than Dial-up connections |
High Latency |
|
Highly expensive |
I recommend Viasat as it offers better speeds at better price sections. Both HughesNet and Viasat have a certain data limit and if you go over the limit you have to suffer with slower internet speeds. HughesNet, on the other hand, offers slower speeds but the plans and pricing are simple.
Satellite Internet Plans in your Area
There are only two major satellite internet options that can offer you internet connectivity in your zip code. HughesNet and Viasat are the only two major satellite internet options. They both offer internet connections for home and businesses. The data cap is limited and you’ll have to pay more if you wish to get your speed back! Satellite internet has a lot of drawbacks but it beats having no internet connectivity at all.
HughesNet Internet Plans
HughesNet has simple plans and pricing and they have stable options for everyone. No matter what plan you choose, you get the same internet speed. Let’s take a look at the most common HughesNet satellite internet plans.
Plan |
Price |
Download Speed |
Data Cap |
10 GB |
$59.99mo |
25 MBPS |
10 GB |
20 GB |
$69.99/mo |
25 MBPS |
20 GB |
30 GB |
$99.99/mo |
25 MBPS |
30 GB |
50 GB |
$150/mo |
25 MBPS |
50 GB |
HughesNet has a pretty fair price policy, they keep their plans safe. If the data seems too low to you then HughesNet has a perk for you! HughesNet offers a bonus data time between 2 A.M - 5 A.M. You get 50 GB monthly data between this period.
Pros |
Cons |
Simple Plans and Packages |
More Expensive than Other connections |
Widely available |
Slower than Cable and Fiber internet connection |
Viasat Internet Plans
If you are not satisfied with the 25 MBPS download speed that HughesNet offers then Viasat is a much better option. With Viasat, you can easily stream online videos and shows while other devices in the home access internet on other devices. Viasat offers better speeds and ranges on its plans. Let’s find out about the plans.
Plans |
Price |
Download Speed |
Data Cap |
Unlimited Bronze 12 |
$50/mo |
12 MBPS |
35 GB |
Unlimited Silver 25 |
$70/mo |
25 MBPS |
60 GB |
Unlimited Gold 50 |
$100/mo |
50 MBPS |
100 GB |
Unlimited Platinum 100 |
$150/mo |
100 MBPS |
150 GB |
If internet speed is all that you are looking for then Viasat is the better option. Viasat is a little costlier than HughesNet but the cost is all because of the speed it offers. One thing that makes Viasat not preferable is the price hikes that come along with the plans. Viasat bumps up its prices every 3 months or so.
Pros |
Cons |
Better speeds than HughesNet |
Unexpected Price Hikes |
Better plans than HughesNet |
Slower than most Cable and Fiber Plans |
Top speeds can match up to few Cable Plans |
Internet in Rural Areas
If you are confused about how to find the internet in rural areas then satellite internet is at your rescue! Satellite internet is available everywhere and it can solve your problem of no internet connectivity in rural America. Choose from the best satellite internet plans listed above and get your ideal internet connection based on your Zip code.