These days, people are able to do more using the internet than ever before, and America Connects gives you more ways to get connected. Just enter your address inside the box above to locate internet service providers and the most affordable plans in your neighborhood.
Trying to decide which internet service is best for you? Keep reading for more information about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which Alabama High Speed Internet Service is Best for You?
The internet has become a powerful tool that helps you keep in touch with family and friends, work remotely from home, download media for entertainment on your own schedule and much more. Internet service providers (ISPs) recognize that your internet needs are unique and now they provide more options for high speed internet than ever before.
What exactly is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was launched in the mid-1990's, the only option was what's known as dial-up service. Dial-up brings internet access in to the home by using a local phone number and active telephone line. At the time this was a good solution for most people since most people already had a home telephone.
However, internet speeds tended to be slow and depended on your physical location. The other drawback was that in order to access the internet the phone line used as the connection had to be free. As the internet matured to incorporate more robust media and websites many discovered they needed a faster internet service.
Internet Service Providers turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to provide speedier internet services. These methods are known as "broadband". Over the years as internet services have gotten better, the measurement for what's considered high-speed has changed.
Today, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed if it has data download or upload speeds above 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high speed internet can still vary depending on a few factors for example how much bandwidth you share with other subscribers employing your ISP as well as your proximity to your ISP.
Those interested in broadband internet can pick between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet or fiber optic internet services.
Alabama Cable Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services work with a cable TV connection to provide customers with high speed internet access. In order to make the connection there's a cable modem on the users end along with a cable modem termination system at the cable providers end. The length between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles with virtually no issues occurring.
Cable internet can function at up to 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may limit the amount of data being transmitted. Additionally, when using cable high speed internet services you share bandwidth with other subscribers. The network monitor makes certain that bandwidth is distributed efficiently to ensure service doesn't slow down during hours when overall usage peaks.
There are a number of service provider options for cable internet. Time Warner and Comcast are top cable internet service providers throughout most of the US.
Check on the availability of cable broadband internet service in your neighborhood - enter your address within the box above.
Alabama DSL Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband internet services transfer data utilizing a copper telephone line. Unlike dial-up services, DSL works off of frequencies that aren't used for making phone calls by splitting the line in two - one for voice calls and the other for high speed internet use.
Digital subscriber lines go from a central office out to consumers. This typically limits DSL distribution to a short distance of two miles from the central office, though some lines run up to 5 miles long. This factor also affects the specific download and upload speeds.
Fortunately virtually no infrastructure is involved and it's a true high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate of up to 10Mbps. DSL also provides better reliability and security than various other options because it is being supplied by a telephone line that often isn't shared.
Major DSL internet service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from ISPs in your town by entering your address in the box above.
Alabama Satellite Internet Services and Providers
Satellite internet services employ orbiting satellites to capture and relay broadband data between a satellite company and its subscribers. Though the download and upload speeds qualify as broadband, because data must travel to the satellite and back over many miles users can sometimes experience signal delays of around 1-2 seconds.
Despite the possibility of short delays, satellite high speed internet is capable of supplying data at 5Mbps. Satellite internet is perfect for those wanting broadband internet in rural locations where DSL and cable services aren't available. AT&T, and the Dish Network are both top rated providers of satellite internet services.
See if satellite broadband internet services are available in your area by entering your address within the box above.
Alabama Fiber Optic Internet Services and Providers
Fiber optic is the latest and fastest approach to bring internet into the home. Systems of fiber optic cables can deliver broadband internet nearly 25 times faster than other high-speed options and are more reliable than cable, DSL and satellite services. This is due to the fact that fiber optic wiring is more sturdy than other connections and isn't impacted by storms, static or noise.
For those wanting the fastest high speed broadband internet access fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic networks are well-known for their ability to transmit data at rates as high as 50 Mbps.
Currently, Comcast and AT&T provide fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic internet services are only available through Verizon FiOS. They started providing fiber optic internet services in 2006 and are continuously increasing their service areas.
See if fiber optic broadband internet services are available in your neighborhood - enter your address in the box above.
