Today, users can do more with the internet than they ever have before, and America Connects offers you more ways to get connected. Simply enter your address within the box above to locate internet providers and the best-priced plans in your city.
Trying to decide which internet package is the best for you? Read on to find out more about internet access solutions, speeds and more.
Which Minnesota High Speed Internet Service is Best for You?
The internet has become a powerful tool that enables you to keep 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) understand that your internet needs are unique and now they deliver more options for high speed internet than ever before.
What exactly is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was initially introduced in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what's known as dial-up service. Dial-up brings internet access to the home using a local telephone number and active phone line. At the time this was a great solution for most people since most already had a home phone.
Nevertheless, internet speeds tended to be slow and depended on your local area. The other drawback was that in order to gain access to the internet the phone line used as the connection needed to be free. As the internet matured to include more robust media and websites many found they required a faster internet service.
ISPs turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to supply faster 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.
These days, the FCC considers an internet service to be high-speed if they have data download or upload speeds in excess of 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your broadband internet can still vary based on a few factors like how much bandwidth you share with other customers using your internet service provider and your proximity to your ISP.
Those interested in high-speed internet can select between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet or fiber optic high speed internet services.
Minnesota Cable High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Cable internet services work with a cable TV connection to supply customers with internet access. In order to make the connection there is a cable modem at the users end and a cable modem termination system at the cable operators end. The length between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles with virtually no issues occurring.
Cable internet can work at as much as 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may limit the volume of data being transmitted. Additionally, when using cable high speed internet services you share bandwidth with other subscribers. 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 high speed internet. Time Warner and Comcast are leading cable high speed internet service providers throughout the majority of the nation.
Check the availability of cable high speed internet service in your town - enter your address inside the box above.
Minnesota DSL Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) high speed internet services transmit data utilizing 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 internet use.
Digital subscriber lines go from a central office out to subscribers. Typically this restricts DSL distribution to a short distance of 2 miles from the central office, though some lines go up to 5 miles long. This factor also affects the specific download and upload speeds.
The good news is that virtually no infrastructure is needed and it is a true high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate up to 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 rated DSL internet service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from internet service providers in your neighborhood by entering your address inside the box above.
Minnesota Satellite Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Satellite internet services utilize orbiting satellites to capture and relay 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 thousands of miles users can sometimes experience signal delays of around 1-2 seconds.
Despite the potential for short delays, satellite broadband internet is capable of delivering data at 5Mbps. Satellite broadband internet is perfect for those wanting high speed internet in rural locations where DSL and cable services aren't available. AT&T, and the Dish Network are both major providers of satellite broadband internet services.
See if satellite internet services are available in your town by entering your address within the box above.
Minnesota 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 internet up to 25 times faster than other broadband options and are more dependable than cable, DSL and satellite services. This is mainly because fiber optic wiring is more resilient than other connections and isn't affected by storms, static or noise.
For those looking for the fastest high speed 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.
Presently, Comcast and AT&T offer fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic internet services are only accessible 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 - enter your address in the box above.
