Rural America has a different set of Internet options since many traditional Internet service providers have decided not to do business in rural areas. There are a few prominent reasons for this, such as the riskier business strategy of selling Internet access to areas with lower population density. Rural areas’ lack of proper infrastructure for high-speed broadband Internet connection is another major reason why rural residents have relied on a different set of rural Internet service providers.
People living in urban areas where dial-up Internet has been phased out may be surprised that many dial-up Internet companies still provide Internet for rural areas. Some rural residents prefer dial-up because it is cheap and available to nearly anyone since all it requires is a telephone line. However, its weaknesses are that it is slow, unreliable, and inconvenient compared to more modern options.
Satellite Internet is another popular option, because of its wide reach and high performance. It is available nearly anywhere because it uses satellites to transmit Internet signals. However, this impressive feature also results in one of satellite Internet’s biggest flaws: it carries high levels of latency. This takes it out of the running for the title of best Internet for rural gaming, since online gaming requires low latency.
In contrast, mobile 4G Internet companies like UbiFi use cell towers throughout rural areas to provide an Internet signal. This allows UbiFi and its cohorts to provide faster Internet service with lower latency. However, if you sign up for UbiFi or any other mobile Internet company, you should live in an area covered by one of their towers or you won’t be able to take advantage of their service.