Today, users are able to do more with the internet than ever before, and America Connects gives you more ways to get connected. Just enter your address inside the box above to find internet providers and the best-priced plans in your city.
Trying to determine which internet package is the best for you? Continue reading to learn more 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 enables you to stay in touch with friends and family, work remotely at home, download media to enjoy on your own schedule and much more. Internet service providers (ISPs) realize that your internet needs are unique and now they deliver more options for high speed internet than ever.
What exactly is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was unveiled in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what is known as dial-up service. Dial-up delivers internet access into the home utilizing a local telephone number and active phone line. At the time this was a great solution for many since most people already had a home telephone.
Even so, internet speeds tended to be slow and depended on your local area. One other drawback was that in order to access the internet the telephone line used as the connection needed to be free. As the internet grew to incorporate more robust media and websites many found they needed a quicker internet service.
Internet Service Providers turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to deliver speedier internet services. These methods are known as "broadband". Over time as internet services have improved, the measurement for what is considered high speed broadband has changed.
Currently, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed if they have data download or upload speeds over 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your broadband internet may still vary depending on several factors such as how much bandwidth you share with other consumers using your internet service provider as well as your proximity to your ISP.
Those thinking about broadband internet can choose between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet, or fiber optic internet services.
Alabama Cable High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Cable internet services utilize a cable TV connection to provide subscribers with internet access. In order to make the connection there's a cable modem at the users end along with a cable modem termination system at the cable providers end. The space between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles without any issues occurring.
Cable broadband internet can work at as much as 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the volume of data being transmitted. In addition, when you use cable broadband internet services you share bandwidth with other consumers. The network monitor makes sure that bandwidth is distributed efficiently so that service doesn't slow down during hours when overall usage peaks.
There are many service provider options for cable high speed internet. Comcast, Time Warner and Cox Communcations are all top rated cable broadband internet service providers throughout the majority of the U.S..
Check on the availability of cable internet service in your city - call the number above or enter your address within the secure search form to get started.
Alabama DSL High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) internet services transmit data using a copper phone 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 another for internet use.
Digital subscriber lines go from a central office out to customers. Typically this limits DSL distribution to a short distance of two miles from the central office, though some lines run up to five miles long. This factor also affects the specific download and upload speeds.
Fortunately virtually no infrastructure is needed and it's a true broadband internet service that transmits data at a rate as high as 10Mbps. DSL may also offer better dependability and security than various other options because it is being supplied by a telephone line that usually isn't shared.
Top DSL service providers include AT&T and Verizon. You can find DSL options from internet service providers in your city by entering your address within the box above.
Alabama Satellite High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Satellite high speed internet services utilize orbiting satellites to capture and pass on broadband data between a satellite company and its customers. Although the download and upload speeds qualify as broadband, because data must travel to the satellite and back over many miles users can occasionally experience signal delays of about 1-2 seconds.
Despite the chance of short delays, satellite internet is capable of delivering data at 5Mbps. Satellite internet is ideal for those wanting broadband internet in rural places where other internet services aren't available. AT&T and the Dish Network are both major 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 Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Fiber Optic is the latest and fastest way to bring internet into the home. Systems of fiber optic cables can deliver high speed internet nearly 25 times faster than other high speed options and provide an extremly solid internet connection. This is due to the fact that fiber optic wiring is more resilient than other connections and isn't impacted by storms, static or noise.
For those trying to find the fastest high speed broadband internet access fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic networks are known for their ability to transmit data at rates as high as 50 Mbps.
Presently, Comcast and AT&T offer fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic internet services are only obtainable through Verizon FiOS. They began providing fiber optic high speed internet services in 2006 and are continuously adding to their service areas.
See if fiber optic internet services are available in your city - call the toll free number above for personal assistance or enter your address in the secure search form.
