How to stay connected no matter where you live

Research by the Center on Rural Innovation found that access to high-speed broadband technologies like fiber unlocks a wellspring of economic opportunity¹ for rural areas. Unfortunately, studies also show that rural areas have significantly lower access to broadband internet² than urban areas and suburbs.

If you live outside town, here’s a no‑nonsense guide to getting online.

We’ll cover the most realistic ways to connect and how they compare.

Fiber optic internet is one of the fastest and most reliable options. If fiber is available, it’s usually the best choice. Caveat: building fiber is expensive, so coverage can be limited in remote regions.

Cable internet is widely available and affordable, using coaxial lines (the same used for cable TV). Coverage in rural counties exists, but is less common than in urban/suburban areas.

Fixed wireless internet delivers high‑speed signals from nearby towers (4G/5G) to a receiver at your home. It’s often a good choice for rural areas, but it can be blocked by terrain and weather conditions.

Digital subscriber line (DSL) is an older type of internet technology that uses copper phone lines. It's slower than newer technologies, but fine for basics like email and bill pay. Availability is broad wherever landline service exists.

Satellite internet connects via low-orbiting or GEO orbiting satellites reaching nearly anywhere on Earth, making it ideal for extremely remote properties. However, it’s usually slower than other types of internet and susceptible to weather interference.

Common reasons for limited options include:

• Higher build‑out costs in hard‑to‑reach areas
• Lower population density that makes build-outs harder to fund
• Permitting and regulatory challenges

Rural communities have long lacked high-speed internet, but the good news is that fiber access is expanding every day.

Need more oomph from your internet connection? Here are some tips for upgrading your speed when you live on rural property:

• See if there’s fiber internet near you: it's typically the best value for performance if you choose the right plan.
• Use Ethernet when possible: wired links are more stable and faster for smart TVs, consoles, and desktops.
• Optimize your WiFi: check out our tips for improving your Wi-Fi connection, such as placing your router centrally or elevating it.
• Run a speed test: Try different times of day, in multiple rooms, and via both wired and WiFi to verify you’re getting the speeds you pay for. Use our free internet speed test.

Brightspeed Fiber Internet is part of the new wave of rural broadband. Enter your address now to find out if we're available in your area.

¹ Wood, Emily. “New Research Proves That Providing Fiber Broadband Experiences to Rural Communities Boosts Income, Entrepreneurship, and Business Investment.” Center on Rural Innovation, September 30, 2024. https://ruralinnovation.us/press-releases/new-research-proves-that-providing-fiber-broadband-experiences-to-rural-communities-boosts-income-entrepreneurship-and-business-investment/.

²“Broadband.” USDA. Accessed January 22, 2026. https://www.usda.gov/sustainability/infrastructure/broadband.