Best Internet Options for Rural Areas

It happened again: internet connection unstable. The video buffers, the game lags, and the video call drops. Even though you live in a rural spot, your internet doesn’t have to be stuck in last decade’s technology.

Most Americans have cable as their high-speed internet connection type. However, cable may not be available if you live far off the beaten path. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most viable internet alternatives for rural areas so you can stay online while living off-grid.

Today’s internet alternatives in rural areas include:

• DSL

• Satellite

• Fixed wireless

• Mobile data hot spot

• Fiber optic

• Dial-up

Let’s dive in.

Common Internet Options for Rural Areas

Before diving into each type of rural-area internet provider, a quick overview of the situation is helpful.

Since cable (coaxial) internet is so prominent, it’s been the choice of most households for affordable, fast internet for some time. It runs on cable television lines, already laid almost everywhere. It offers internet speeds of roughly 25 megabits per second (Mbps) to 1 gigabit per second (Gbps).

Out beyond the town limits, cable lines might not be as common. If you live in a rural area and have satellite television, you’re probably already familiar with the infrastructure limitations. So, rural households need to turn to other technologies.

DSL (digital subscriber line) internet runs on copper phone lines, so it’s even more ubiquitous than cable infrastructure — but not quite as fast. Dial-up internet is also phone line-based technology, but it’s extremely slow, so don’t put it at the top of your list.

Untethered internet transmissions are a popular rural choice as you get even farther out. By pinging a local internet tower, cellular networks, or even orbiting satellites, you can get online. However, it will cost you, whether in dollars or the minutes you spend waiting for a website to load (or both).

And then there’s fiber-optic internet, a newer technology that’s still being wired up nationwide. Requesting new transmission lines to your area may be a possibility.

Now that you have your bearings, here’s the nitty-gritty of internet alternatives in rural areas.

1. DSL

DSL might be the most widely available rural internet choice. It runs on phone lines but is good for speeds up to 100 Mbps (download). Your experience might vary and end up more in the 5-to-50 Mbps range.

The problem is DSL signal strength erodes over long distances. If you’re far from any of the utility’s connection hubs, you might end up with minimum speeds.

2. Satellite Internet

You chose a rural spot for the perfect starry nights — and that can be great for satellite internet. With a dish installed on your roof or other sky-facing location, you’ll likely get download speeds ranging from 12 to 150 Mbps (or more with recent technological advances). However, this is probably the costliest option on the list.

Not only do you need some pricey equipment, but the plan itself might break the bank. Signals can also be spotty if the weather is bad or even just cloudy. You might also experience high latency since signals travel to space and back.

3. Fixed Wireless Internet

Fixed wireless internet receives signal from an antenna. This internet connection type can pull in roughly the same speeds as satellite, but it only beams between an Earth-bound hub, like a local office.

You need a clear line of sight for this to work, so it might be unavailable in your area. It can also be unreliable in bad weather or if there is an extremely heavy amount of traffic on the carrier’s cellular network.

4. Mobile Hot Spots

Have a strong cell signal at your rural outpost? If so, you might consider a mobile data home internet connection. Even though they usually have data caps like your phone plan, they can give you 5G speeds with the right network coverage.

You can either order a mobile hot spot device from your carrier or elsewhere, use your phone’s hot spot feature, or get a dedicated home receiver. Cost, network congestion, and bad weather can be concerns, but a mobile hot spot delivers plenty of upsides.

5. Fiber-Optic Internet

If you live in a rural area, you might want to start your internet search with high-speed fiber optic internet. If it’s available, it’ll be your fastest option It offers Gig speed which is plenty for even the most online families.

Kinetic surveyed customers who switched from cable (33.6%), mobile/5G (18.6%), or DSL (16%), and the majority (77%) said fiber was faster. More than half even said fiber is “a lot faster” and has enhanced their internet experiences (2024 – Kinetic Raw data report*).

Why is fiber so fast? It beams internet transmissions as light through glass strands, so it can go immensely far at incredibly high speeds without losing strength. If fiber is run all the way to your address, you’ll get essentially the same speed as your friends living downtown.

Fiber is increasingly more available, although many rural areas might not be wired up for a few more years. Inquiring with well-known fiber providers and local internet service providers (ISPs) about its availability near you will give you the answer you need. It also demonstrates demand for the technology, and that can influence where it’s installed next.

6. Dial-Up Internet

If none of the other internet alternatives for rural areas are available, you might be able to get a dial-up connection from the nearest old-school phone company.

Dial-up internet runs on traditional, simple phone lines and can only support one connection at a time, whether on the phone or the internet. You’ll only get speeds up to 56 Kbps, which is about enough for checking your email.

Factors to Consider When Selecting an Internet Provider

If you have more than one option for internet in your rural area, here are some things to think about as you comparison-shop:

• Availability, or how well-serviced your address is and whether it will need new connections or equipment

• Speed, ranging from as slow as 56 Kbps (dial-up) to well over 2 Gbps (fiber)

• Reliability, which is how it holds up to congestion, distance, weather, and other disruptions

• Data caps, which can block or throttle your connection after you download a certain amount of content

• Cost, especially when it comes to higher-speed options

• Customer service quality, especially because rural connections might need more troubleshooting

You can also compare Wi-Fi management technology offered by rural internet service providers. Can they provide you with a router to transmit your connection throughout your property for a whole-home Wi-Fi setup?

Internet security is a concern, too. A fiber connection is more impervious to hackers than other internet connection types. That said, hackers could still access your home’s router, your device, or your accounts without the right security platform protecting your online life.

Tips for Improving Internet Access in Rural Areas

Living in a rural area doesn’t mean you have to settle for subpar internet performance. Whether you’re working from home, streaming your favorite shows, or setting up security cameras to catch the local wildlife, there are ways to enhance your connection and get the most out of the rural internet alternatives available to you.

Use signal boosters.

First, consider signal boosters. These devices can amplify your internet signal no matter what type of incoming connection you have. By boosting the signal throughout your home, you can reduce dead zones and improve overall connectivity throughout your rural property.

Invest in the right equipment.

Next, it’s important to choose the right home equipment. Upgrading to a more powerful router or modem can make a significant difference, especially if you have multiple devices online at the same time. Look for routers that support the latest Wi-Fi standards, like Wi-Fi 6, which is designed for faster speeds and better device management.

Explore community-offered options.

Some rural areas offer community-supported options, too. Shared hot spots and local wireless networks can offer a cost-effective way to improve internet access for an entire neighborhood.

Reach out to local ISPs or neighborhood organizations to discover alternative rural internet options you didn’t know existed. Sometimes, local libraries have connectivity programs, including free mobile hot spots.

Consider equipment placement.

Look around your house, too. If you have appliances, metal objects, or walls blocking your router, that might interfere with your connectivity experience. Small upgrades and enhancements like these can make a notable difference.

Find out if fiber is available in your area.

When looking at internet alternatives in rural areas, you should still start with fiber. Don’t cancel your internet service at your old place until you’re done researching, though. Fiber is super-fast — but not available everywhere just yet.

Fiber infrastructure is rolling out rapidly thanks to innovative providers like Kinetic, which offers fiber plans at 1 Gbps, 2 Gbps, and beyond. Find out if Kinetic offers high-speed internet at your rural home and get started today.

Internet Options in Rural Areas FAQs

What are the internet options available in rural areas?

In rural areas, you might be able to get fiber. Otherwise, you're looking at DSL, dial-up, satellite, fixed wireless, or mobile data if standard cable isn't available.

How can I access the internet in rural areas?

In rural areas, you can access the internet through phone wires, satellite signals, cellular networks, or, in rare instances, fiber-optic lines.

Are there wired internet providers in rural areas?

If you’re looking for wired internet in a rural spot, which might be more reliable, you would want to check for DSL or dial-up. Fiber, while ultra-fast, might not yet be stretching to your rural neighborhood just yet.

What are the advantages of wireless internet in rural areas?

With wireless internet in rural areas, you can be on the move and not worry about running wires from a central office all the way out to your far-flung address. With a mobile hot spot or satellite connection, you can get online as long as you have a clear view of the sky or fall within the coverage map.

Can I get high-speed internet in rural areas?

Yes! High-speed internet in rural areas typically comes through DSL, fixed wireless, mobile data, or satellite connections. Growing infrastructure investments in fiber-optic internet mean it could be run to your rural house soon, too.

*About this data: Study includes data from survey conducted by third-party survey research company on Aug. 19, 2024, of respondents aged 18 and up across all 50 states. Participants were recruited using Random Device Engagement (RDE) and do not have a relationship with Kinetic or the survey research company used. More information on methodology here.