Reliable Rural Internet. Better speeds and connectivity
The world is more connected now than ever. But if you live in a rural or harder-to-reach area – such as farms, mountains, plains, or even outside the suburbs – you might be feeling left out.
Getting a reliable internet connection doesn’t have to be out of reach anymore.
Find Internet Near Me
Meet your next rural internet provider
Whether you’re looking for home internet or business internet, EarthLink is the best option for finding the right rural internet connection. We’re the largest provider of rural internet in the continental United States, capable of serving 96% of homes throughout 48 states.
But in case we can’t offer internet services near you, we’ll connect you with a rural internet provider in your area.
Explore internet options for rural areas
Looking for the best internet options for rural areas? When it comes to rural high-speed internet, EarthLink offers two connection types: Wireless Home Internet and Satellite Internet.
Wireless Home InternetConnect to nearby cell towers and take advantage of 4G LTE and 5G speeds available in your area with EarthLink Wireless Home Internet. Broadcast WiFi throughout your home with our easy set up – no professional installation required.
Satellite InternetGet back in touch with a connection that’s out of this world. Enjoy wide availability and better speeds than DSL with EarthLink Satellite Internet. You’ll have ease of mind with our professional installation, so you can get back to the internet.
What's rural internet, and why do you need it?
Let’s be honest – we live in a highly connected world today. Whether you need fast internet to work remotely, connect with a doctor via telehealth, attend school online or stay connected with family, the internet is no longer a luxury – it’s a need, no matter where you live.
Even if you describe your surroundings as “the sticks,” “the country,” “out yonder,” “the boondocks” or even “the middle of nowhere,” you shouldn’t have to live without the internet. As you may already know, getting reliable rural internet can be like trying to find a needle in a haystack.
Most internet networks in cities and heavily populated areas rely on wired internet, which runs off buried cables. DSL uses a phone line, cable internet uses copper wires, and fiber internet uses glass strands – each of which requires time, money, and infrastructure investment. That’s typically why DSL is still so common in rural communities; Phone lines are pretty much available throughout the U.S., even if they’re not actively being used for phone service.
But DSL is slow, unreliable and outdated (did we mention super slow?). Upgrading to new technology is easier than ever. With rural internet, you now have two new options: Wireless Home Internet and Satellite Internet. They both outperform DSL in reliability, speed, connectivity, and satisfaction.
And who better to provide these connections to you than EarthLink, the country’s largest provider of rural internet?
Wireless vs. Satellite
Picking the right internet plan for you doesn’t have to be difficult. Here’s a quick breakdown of the difference between our Wireless Home Internet and Satellite Internet.
| Wireless Home Internet | Satellite | |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | 5G & 4G LTE (based on cellular networks near you) | Up to 100 MBPS |
| Availability | Widely available | Widely available |
| Equipment | Modem | Satellite dish |
| Installation | Easy installation | Professional installation |
| Data | Data caps | Data caps |
Wireless Home Internet
EarthLink Wireless Home Internet is the latest and greatest for rural internet. Powered by nearby cell towers, Wireless Home Internet connects to the web via a WiFi network inside your home — you can even get speeds up to 100 Mbps, depending on what’s available near you.
Your phone doesn’t have to be the only gadget benefiting from 4G LTE and 5G networks. Wireless Home Internet is faster, stronger and more reliable than your mobile hotspot. Thanks to the growing number of cell towers across the country, this rural internet option is widely available.
Choose a data plan that works for you, and you’re all set. Plus, the setup is easy. Just plug in and get back to your favorite online activities.
Still wondering “What is Wireless Home Internet?” No worries, check out our blog post for the break down.
Satellite Internet
Satellite internet has been the choice for rural internet for years, since it’s available just about anywhere. While it can be a great option if you’re upgrading from DSL internet or when you don’t have great cell service in your area, it does come with some stipulations.
Satellite internet requires the professional installation of a dish on or near your home to send and receive information from a satellite in space. All you need is an unobstructed view of the sky and you’ll be ready to go.
Keep in mind that with satellite internet comes longer contracts and high equipment fees for your initial installation. Weather can also affect your connectivity – meaning you’ll have to wait out storms and strong winds till they pass.
Connection that's out of this world
At EarthLink, we know how important it is to have high-speed internet for rural areas. So, we’re excited to be able to offer several options for our customers. No matter where you live, we can help get you connected to what matters most.
Frequently Asked Questions
EarthLink Rural Internet is for customers located in remote areas or smaller communities where internet options are limited. High-speed internet options such as fiber, which are typically available in high-density communities or major cities, might not be available where you live. But that doesn’t mean you don’t have options. EarthLink offers both Satellite Internet and Wireless Home Internet for those in rural communities.
No, rural internet does not exclusively mean cable internet. In fact, you’re less likely to be able to connect to cable internet in rural areas. Rural internet can include a number of internet connection types, including wireless and satellite internet.
With EarthLink, you’ll always get the best service, no matter what. We also just so happen to be the largest provider of rural internet in the continental United States (that’s 48 states!), so chances are, if you live in a remote community, we can offer services to you.
However, if for some reason we can’t offer you service, we’ll connect you with rural satellite services and wireless internet services in your area.
While Satellite Internet might be more widely available if you live in a rural area, it might not be the best option for you, depending on your budget, speed and data needs. If you want faster speeds and easier installation, Wireless Home Internet might be better for you. Whatever internet service you choose, we’re happy to check your availability. Give us a call at 866-618-0402.
The more remote your home is, the less likely connections like cable and fiber will be available to you – which require lines in the ground to connect to your community and home. More than likely, you’ll need more widely available connections to get online, such as Wireless Home Internet and Satellite Internet.
Yes, weather such as severe thunderstorms and high winds can cause interruptions with your satellite internet speed and connection. Bad weather can obstruct the signal being sent and received by the satellites.
Unless your dish is knocked out of place and needs to be readjusted, all you can really do is wait it out. Typically, the issue resolves itself in time.
However, because satellite internet is faster than DSL (with speeds up to 100 Mbps) and more widely available, we think it’s worth the upgrade.
Need help finding satellite internet service near you? We’re here for you. Check out our plans today.
Both Wireless Home Internet and Satellite Internet are equipped with data limits. To check your monthly data usage (and to increase it with Wireless Home Internet), log on to our mobile app.
Get the best rural internet – wherever you are
At EarthLink, we make it easy to get broadband internet for rural areas. Double check your address for availability below and see what options are available to you.
Or you chat with our Internet Experts online or call 866-618-0402. Whatever your needs, they’ll help you find the right connection based on where you live.
No matter what, we’re working hard to keep everyone connected to what matters.
