What Is Satellite Internet and How Does It Work?
Do you live in rural America? You're not alone. Today, about 1 in 5 Americans (60 million people) live in a rural area in the U.S. Rural is defined as an area that has a
What Is Satellite Internet?
Today, there are about 46 million Americans living in a rural area. That equates to about 15% of the population.
Satellite internet is a wireless option that has 3 satellite dishes. There's 1 in space, attached to your property, and 1 at the internet service provider's hub. Along with your satellite dish, you'll also have a cable that attaches to your dish from your modem.
When everything's connected, the internet signal will go to the dish in space which then sends it back to you. When you make a request it'll go to the dish and back to you within milliseconds.
What Should I Consider When Choosing My Satellite Plan?
When picking out your satellite internet provider, you'll want to think about your budget and how many will be on one plan. If you won't be using the internet much then you don't need to overpay for a high-speed plan.
If you plan on streaming TV then you'll want faster speeds. If you're only looking to check email or browse the web then slower speeds might work just fine.
Where Is It Available?
The great part about satellite internet connections is that it's available in most of the country. Even if you're in a deep rural area, you'll often be able to access satellite internet.
This means that you don't have to worry about your home being connected to a land-based internet network. It might not be available in certain parts of Alaska due to steep canyons where signals can't reach.
Are WiFi and Satellite the Same?
While you can get WiFi through your satellite internet or unlimited wireless internet, it's not the same as WiFi itself. WiFi is a wireless network while satellite internet is a type of internet.
The Benefits of Satellite Internet
Your satellite internet company will give you quicker speeds than dial-up. Your internet access will be quick since satellites can reach across various continents and oceans. It's also located in most parts of the country where cable can't reach.
It's more reliable than DSL or cable since you won't experience as many network outages. This is because DSL and cable can experience network outages along the infrastructure.
The Cons of Satellite Internet
As with any internet connection, there are potential cons. First, the weather can impact your satellite internet connection. The good news is that after natural disasters, it tends to fix itself quicker than other internet options.
Latency is a common issue since the satellite internet might need more time to make it to outer space. There's beta testing happening in order to speed up the process of satellite internet.
Satellite internet doesn't work with VPN. A VPN requires low latency. It can cost more than DSL or dial up, but you'll get a better connection.
What Is Unlimited Wireless Internet?
Wireless internet allows you to have wireless connectivity to the internet using radio waves. This means that you bypass the need for wires that plug into your laptop, home computer, or smartphone. Even if you don't have hardwired internet or DSL, unlimited wireless internet is still an option.
While it's not the best option, it has come a long way in time. Many small towns now have their own local internet providers in order to produce good download speeds and uploads. These providers might only cover certain areas which can lead to difficulty receiving coverage in your area.
How Is the Speed of Satellite Internet?
Satellite internet speed has improved over the years. You can find different plans for the needs of you and your family. Whether you're looking to game, stream TV, or watch videos, you can find the right plan for you.
DSL is often slower than satellite internet. If DSL only offers you slow and old options you'll definitely want to look into satellite internet.
Is Satellite Internet Better Than Other Options?
Due to recent advances, satellite internet is one of the best options for rural communities. You can check out your connection to see what you're currently receiving and compare it to the Mbps you can receive from satellite internet.
DSL and cable internet tend to be slower than satellite internet, and make it difficult to play video games or stream TV. If fiber cable is available in your area, it might be faster but it tends to be very expensive. Fiber internet isn't available in lower density areas either.
Exploring What Satellite Internet Is and How It Works
Now that you've explored this guide about satellite internet, you should have a better idea if it's right for you. Are you ready to get started enjoying quicker internet speeds in your rural area?
Contact us today! We have the options of both satellite internet and unlimited wireless internet. Whether you're looking to stream TV, watch videos, or play video games, we can help you pick out the right plan for you.