Nowadays, users can do more using the internet than ever before, and America Connects provides you with more ways to get connected. Just enter your address within the box above to locate internet providers and the cheapest plans in your area.
Trying to determine which internet plan is the best for you? Continue reading for more info about internet access solutions, speeds and more.
Which Arkansas High Speed Internet Service is Right for you?
The internet has turned into a powerful tool that allows 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) recognize that your internet needs are unique and now they deliver more options for high speed internet than ever.
What is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was introduced in the mid-1990's, the only option was what's known as dial-up service. Dial-up delivers internet access to the home utilizing a local telephone number and active phone line. At the time this was a great choice for many people since most already had a home phone.
However, internet speeds tended to be slow and depended on your physical location. One other drawback was that in order to access the internet the telephone 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 often referred to as "broadband". Over the years as the services have improved, the measurement for what's considered high-speed has changed.
Today, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed if it's got data download or upload speeds in excess of 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your broadband internet may still vary based on a few factors like how much bandwidth you share with other consumers using your ISP as well as your proximity to your ISP.
Those considering broadband internet can pick between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet or fiber optic broadband internet services.
Arkansas Cable Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Cable high speed internet services work with a cable TV connection to provide consumers with high speed internet access. In order to make the connection there is a cable modem on the users end and a cable modem termination system on the cable suppliers end. The length between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles without any difficulties occurring.
Cable broadband internet can run at around 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the volume of data being transmitted. Moreover, when using cable broadband internet services you share bandwidth with other customers. 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 many service provider options for cable high speed internet. Time Warner and Comcast are top rated cable internet service providers throughout much of the nation.
Check on the availability of cable internet service in your area - enter your address in the box above.
Arkansas DSL Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband internet services transfer data through a copper telephone line. Unlike dial-up services, DSL works off of frequencies that are not used for making phone calls by splitting the line in two - one for voice calls and another for high speed internet use.
Digital subscriber lines go from a central office out to subscribers. Typically this 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 actual download and upload speeds.
Fortunately virtually no infrastructure is needed and it's a genuine high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate as high as 10Mbps. DSL also provides better reliability and security than some other options because it is being provided by a phone line that often isn't shared.
Top DSL service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from providers in your area by entering your address in the box above.
Arkansas Satellite High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Satellite internet services employ orbiting satellites to capture and pass on broadband data between a satellite company and its subscribers. 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 around 1-2 seconds.
Despite the chance of short delays, satellite internet is capable of delivering data at 5Mbps. Satellite broadband internet is perfect for those wanting broadband internet in rural areas where DSL and cable services aren't available. AT&T, and the Dish Network are both top providers of satellite internet services.
See if satellite broadband internet services are available in your neighborhood by entering your address within the box above.
Arkansas 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 internet up to 25 times faster than other broadband options and are more dependable than cable, DSL and satellite services. 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 searching for 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 of up to 50 Mbps.
Presently, Comcast and AT&T offer fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic broadband internet services are only accessible through Verizon FiOS. They started providing fiber optic internet services in 2006 and are continuously adding to their service areas.
See if fiber optic broadband internet services are available in your area - enter your address in the box above.
