Today, users can do more using the internet than they ever have before, and America Connects gives you more ways to get connected. Just enter your address within the box above to locate internet providers and the best-priced plans in your neighborhood.
Trying to determine which internet service is the best for you? Continue reading to find out more about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which Michigan High Speed Internet Service is Best for You?
The internet has turned into a powerful tool that lets you stay in touch with friends and family, work remotely from 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 offer more options for high speed internet than ever before.
What exactly is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was first unveiled in the mid-1990's, the only option was what is known as dial-up service. Dial-up delivers internet access in to the home utilizing a local phone number and active telephone line. At the time this was an effective method for many since most people already had a home phone.
Even so, internet speeds tended to be slow and were dependent on your local area. Another drawback was that in order to gain access to the internet the telephone line used as the connection had to be free. As the internet grew to incorporate more robust media and sites many found they needed a quicker internet service.
ISPs looked to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to deliver faster internet services. These methods are known as "broadband". Through the years as internet services have improved, the measurement for what is considered high speed has evolved.
Nowadays, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed if it's got data download or upload speeds above 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your broadband internet can still vary based on a few factors such as how much bandwidth you share with other consumers using your internet service provider as well as your proximity to your internet service provider.
Those interested in broadband internet can select between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet, or fiber optic broadband internet services.
Michigan Cable Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services use a cable TV connection to supply subscribers with 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 suppliers end. The length between the modem and termination system can be up to 100 miles without any complications occurring.
Cable internet can function at up to 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may limit the volume of data being transmitted. Furthermore, when you use cable high speed 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 a number of service provider options for cable broadband internet. Comcast, Time Warner and Cox Communcations are all top rated cable high speed internet service providers throughout most of the US.
Check on the availability of cable high speed internet service in your city - call the number above or enter your address inside the secure search form to get started.
Michigan DSL High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) high speed internet services transfer data through a copper phone 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 the other for 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 go up to five miles long. This factor also affects the exact download and upload speeds.
Fortunately little to no infrastructure is required and it is a true broadband internet service that transmits data at a rate up to 10Mbps. DSL may also offer better dependability and security than some other options because it is being delivered by a telephone line that usually isn't shared.
Major DSL ISPs include AT&T and Verizon. You can find DSL options from service providers in your town by entering your address in the box above.
Michigan Satellite Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Satellite high speed internet services utilize orbiting satellites to capture and relay 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 thousands of miles users can sometimes experience signal delays of about 1-2 seconds.
Despite the possibility of short delays, satellite internet is capable of delivering data at 5Mbps. Satellite internet is ideal for those wanting high speed internet in rural areas where other internet services aren't available. AT&T and the Dish Network are both top providers of satellite high speed internet services.
See if satellite internet services are available in your neighborhood by entering your address in the box above.
Michigan Fiber Optic Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Fiber Optic is the latest and fastest approach to bring high speed internet into the home. Systems of fiber optic cables can deliver broadband internet nearly 25 times faster than other broadband options and provide an extremly reliable internet connection. This is due to the fact that fiber optic wiring is more durable 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 renowned for their ability to transmit data at rates of up to 50 Mbps.
Currently, Comcast and AT&T deliver fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic broadband internet services are only available 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 high speed 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.
