The internet has become a necessity to most people in the US. Unfortunately, many places cannot get high-speed wired internet.
Internet Options
Try to pick the highest option available in the table below for your location. Rural locations tend to have lower options as providers don’t want to invest in infrastructure for fewer users.
| Type | Cost/month | Speed | Latency | Limitations | More Info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Optic | $40-$60 | Best | Excellent | Verizon Fios, others | |
| CableTV | $30-$60 | Very Good | Excellent | May slow down | COMCAST, TimeWarner, etc. |
| DSL | $20-$40 | OK | Excellent | low video quality | regional phone company |
| LTE/4G Wireless | $40-$70 | OK | OK | Data Limits | Clear, ATT, Verizon |
| 3G wireless | $40-$70 | Slow | OK | Data limits | ATT, Verizon |
| Satellite | $50-$80 | Slow | Very bad | Data limits, no voice | Dish, HughesNet |
| Dial-up | $20-$40 excluding phone line | Slow | Bad | Very slow, no voice | numerous local ISPs |
You can find what may be available at an address at broadbandmap.gov and dslreports.com. These don’t always provide an accurate list but are a good starting place before calling a provider.
Data Limits
Most of the options beyond fiber impose some kind of data limits. For web usage, casual video and audio downloading, these limits are not an issue. However, services like Netflix, Pandora, video conferencing, large software updates and extended voice calls will quickly exceed the limits resulting in a slow-down of service or additional charges.
Using Internet to reduce landline costs
Many people are getting rid of landline telephone service and opting to use their cell phones. Others want to use their internet connection to continue to have a traditional phone and have another option to their cell phone. Putting voice over the internet is called “voice over internet protocol” or VOIP.
For fiber optic, cable and DSL
Numerous voice services that work like traditional telephones are available. Often the service provider of the internet connection will offer voice as a bundle for around $25/month. Vonage offers a similar service for about $10 per month. Services like Obihai and Ooma will provide indefinite phone usage for a one-time fee of around $50 but take some effort and technical confidence to configure.
For 3G, satellite and dial-up
If you have dial-up you already have phone service. It is likely the phone will not work while on the internet. There really is no voice option for satellite unless you went with a satellite phone costing dollars per minute of usage. If 3G cellular service is available, a mobile hotspot (also called a mifi) may be bundled with the normal cellular voice service to lower cost. There is also a service from AT&T that allows you to to get your home phone calls through cellular wireless rather than via a copper landline connection. At around $20 a month, the service may make sense if you have a cellphone contract already through AT&T. It is likely AT&T will not offer this with a cheap a pay-as-you-go plan.
