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 in the box above to find internet service providers and the most affordable plans in your area.
Trying to determine which internet package is the best for you? Continue reading for more information about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which Iowa High Speed Internet Service is Right for you?
The internet has become a powerful tool that helps you stay in touch with friends and family, work remotely from your home, download media to enjoy on your own schedule and much more. Internet service providers (ISPs) know that your internet needs are unique and now they provide more options for high speed internet than ever.
What's 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 brings internet access in to the home using a local phone number and active phone line. At the time this was a great solution for many individuals since most already had a home telephone.
Even so, internet speeds tended to be slow and depended on your physical location. One other drawback was that in order to access the internet the phone line used as the connection needed to be free. As the internet expanded to incorporate more robust media and sites many discovered they required a faster internet service.
Internet Service Providers looked to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to provide faster internet services. These methods are known as "broadband". Over time as the services have gotten better, the measurement for what is considered high speed broadband has evolved.
Nowadays, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed broadband if they have data download or upload speeds exceeding 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your broadband internet can still vary based on a few factors for example how much bandwidth you share with other subscribers using your internet service provider and your proximity to your internet service provider.
Those interested in high-speed internet can select between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet or fiber optic internet services.
Iowa Cable Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services work with a cable TV connection to provide customers with internet access. In order to make the connection there is a cable modem on 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 up to 100 miles with virtually no complications occurring.
Cable internet can function at as much as 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may limit the amount of data being transmitted. In addition, when working with cable 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 the majority of the nation.
Check the availability of cable broadband internet service in your town - enter your address inside the box above.
Iowa DSL High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband internet services transfer data using a copper phone line. Unlike dial-up services, DSL works off of frequencies that are not used for making telephone calls by splitting the line in two - one for voice calls and one for high speed internet use.
DSL lines go from a central office out to customers. This typically restricts DSL distribution to a short distance of 2 miles from the central office, though some lines go up to five miles long. This factor also affects the exact download and upload speeds.
The good thing is that virtually no infrastructure is required and it's a true high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate of up to 10Mbps. DSL also provides better stability and security than some other options because it is being delivered by a phone line that usually isn't shared.
Top DSL internet service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from service providers in your city by entering your address in the box above.
Iowa Satellite Internet Services and Providers
Satellite high speed internet services employ 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 sometimes experience signal delays of around 1-2 seconds.
Despite the potential for short delays, satellite high speed internet is capable of delivering data at 5Mbps. Satellite broadband internet is perfect for those wanting high speed internet in rural areas where DSL and cable services aren't available. AT&T, and the Dish Network are both top rated providers of satellite high speed internet services.
See if satellite broadband internet services are available in your city by entering your address inside the box above.
Iowa Fiber Optic Internet Services and Providers
Fiber optic is the latest and fastest way to bring broadband internet into the home. Systems of fiber optic cables can deliver internet up to 25 times faster than other high-speed options and are more stable than cable, DSL and satellite services. This is mainly because fiber optic wiring is more durable than other connections and isn't impacted by storms, static or noise.
For those looking for the fastest high speed 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.
Presently, Comcast and AT&T deliver fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic broadband internet services are only available 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 neighborhood - enter your address in the box above.
