There is no denying that broadband has become an ever-increasing necessity in our digital age. From online commerce to telecommuting, the demand for high-speed internet is only increasing. The challenge, however, is that most rural areas still lag behind when it comes to internet access.
Peak demand occurs at different times for different people. In most cases, rural broadband peaks during market saturation when many people converge in the same area.
Rural areas are particularly susceptible to peak demand because they don’t have the same infrastructure as the cities do. For that reason, it can be difficult for residents in those areas to access enough bandwidth to support their digital needs. Fortunately, there are several ways to get faster broadband service in your community. Here are some of them:
Use a rural broadband provider
Using a rural broadband provider is probably the most hassle free option, a company like Broadway rural broadband, will handle all of the technical aspects for you, just leaving you with fast rural broadband.
Invest in Fibre Optics
In order to get the fastest broadband possible, you’ll need to invest in fibre optic lines. Fibre optics are a type of technology that can transmit data at speeds up to 10 gigabits per second and higher. They’re one of the newest technologies on the market, but they can offer some of the highest speeds available.
Fibre optic cables are made of glass (or plastic) and have no moving parts for transferring information. This makes them an excellent option for a high-speed internet provider as there is less opportunity for signal loss or interference.
One downside is that fibre optics can be expensive to install in a rural community and take a lot more time than traditional methods like DSL or cable.
Co-Opt Neighbours
The first step is to investigate the possibility of co-opting your neighbours. Broadband is a “shared” service, meaning that it can be provided by more than one provider if the infrastructure exists. In some cases, this might mean borrowing fibre from a neighbour or working with government agencies to provide better services.
Incorporate Ethernet Networks
One of the best ways to get broadband service in rural areas is by using an Ethernet network. Broadband signals are transmitted through coaxial cable and telephone lines, but these can be unreliable or expensive when they have to travel long distances.
Ethernet networks use a single cable to transmit data, so it is more stable and requires less maintenance than coaxial cables. This makes it a great option for rural areas where demand for internet service is high.
Use WiFi Hotspots
If you are having trouble getting broadband service in your rural area, the first thing you can do is connect to a WiFi hotspot. There are many networks that serve as hotspots for people in rural communities. You will likely have to pay for the service, but it is cheaper and faster than other options.
Make the most of 4G and 5G
If you have slow rural broadband service in your area, it’s time to consider making the switch to 4G or where possible even 5G. When your carrier offers 4G service, the difference is astonishing. For example, if you have a 3G connection with an average download speed of 1Mbps, then you can expect an average download speed of 8Mbps with 4G service. Ultimately, the difference between 3G and 4G can be as high as 7x for some carriers!
