These days, users are able to do more using the internet than ever before, and America Connects offers you more ways to get connected. Just enter your address in the box above to find internet service providers and the cheapest plans in your area.
Trying to determine which internet service will work the best for you? Read on to find out more about internet access solutions, speeds and more.
Which Illinois High Speed Internet Service is Right for you?
The internet has become a powerful tool that lets you stay in touch with family and friends, 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 provide more options for high speed internet than ever before.
What is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was first launched in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what is known as dial-up service. Dial-up delivers internet access into the home by using a local telephone number and active telephone line. At the time this was a great choice for many people since most already had a home telephone.
Even so, internet speeds tended to be slow and were dependent on your physical location. Another 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 include more robust media and sites many found they required a quicker internet service.
ISPs turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to deliver faster internet services. These methods are often referred to as "broadband". Over time as the services have improved, the measurement for what is considered high speed has evolved.
These days, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed broadband if it's got data download or upload speeds above 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high speed internet may still vary based on several factors like how much bandwidth you share with other subscribers using your ISP and your proximity to your ISP.
Those considering high speed internet can choose between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet or fiber optic high speed internet services.
Illinois Cable Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services work with a cable TV connection to supply consumers with broadband internet access. In order to make the connection there is a cable modem on the users end and 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 complications occurring.
Cable internet can operate at as much as 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the amount of data being transmitted. Furthermore, when you use cable high speed internet services you share bandwidth with other customers. The network monitor makes sure that bandwidth is distributed efficiently to ensure service doesn't slow during hours when overall usage peaks.
There are many service provider options for cable internet. Time Warner and Comcast are top rated cable high speed internet service providers throughout much of the U.S..
Check the availability of cable internet service in your neighborhood - enter your address in the box above.
Illinois 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 telephone calls by splitting the line in two - one for voice calls and one for broadband internet use.
DSL lines go from a central office out to subscribers. This typically limits DSL distribution to a short distance of 2 miles from the central office, though some lines run up to 5 miles long. This factor also affects the exact download and upload speeds.
The good thing is that little to no infrastructure is needed and it's a true high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate as high as 10Mbps. DSL also provides better dependability and security than some other options because it is being supplied by a phone line that often isn't shared.
Leading DSL internet service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from internet service providers in your area by entering your address in the box above.
Illinois Satellite Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Satellite broadband internet services employ orbiting satellites to capture and pass on broadband data between a satellite company and its customers. Though the download and upload speeds qualify as broadband, because data must travel to the satellite and back over thousands of miles users can sometimes experience signal delays of around 1-2 seconds.
Despite the possibility of short delays, satellite internet is capable of supplying data at 5Mbps. Satellite high speed internet is ideal for those wanting broadband internet in rural areas where DSL and cable services aren't available. AT&T, and the Dish Network are both prominent providers of satellite high speed internet services.
See if satellite high speed internet services are available in your neighborhood by entering your address inside the box above.
Illinois Fiber Optic High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Fiber optic is the most recent and fastest approach to bring internet into the home. Networks of fiber optic cables can deliver high speed internet up to 25 times faster than other high speed options and are more dependable 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 affected by storms, static or noise.
For those searching for the fastest high speed internet access fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic networks are recognized 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 broadband internet services are only accessible through Verizon FiOS. They began 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 town - enter your address in the box above.
