Today, people can do more with the internet than ever before, and America Connects provides you with more ways to get connected. Simply enter your address in the box above to locate internet service providers and the cheapest plans in your town.
Trying to decide which internet package is best for you? Read on for more info about internet access options, 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 family and friends, work remotely from a home office, 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 offer more options for high speed internet than ever before.
What exactly is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was initially unveiled in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what is known as dial-up service. Dial-up delivers internet access to the home utilizing a local phone number and active phone line. At the time this was a great solution for many people since most people already had a home phone.
However, internet speeds tended to be sluggish 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 expanded to include more robust media and websites many determined they required a faster internet service.
ISPs looked to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to supply speedier internet services. These methods are often called as "broadband". Through the years as the services have improved, the measurement for what is considered high speed broadband has evolved.
Nowadays, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed broadband if it has data download or upload speeds in excess of 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high-speed internet may still vary depending on several factors for example how much bandwidth you share with other customers employing your ISP and your proximity to your internet service provider.
Those thinking about broadband internet can choose between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet, or fiber optic internet services.
Minnesota Cable High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services utilize a cable TV connection to supply customers with broadband internet access. In order to make the connection there's a cable modem on the users end and a cable modem termination system on the cable providers end. The distance between the modem and termination system can be approximately 100 miles without any difficulties occurring.
Cable high speed internet can run at around 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may limit the amount of data being transmitted. Additionally, 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 a number of service provider options for cable internet. Comcast, Time Warner and Cox Communcations are all major cable internet service providers throughout most of the country.
Check the availability of cable high speed internet service in your city - call the number above or enter your address within the secure search form to get started.
Minnesota DSL Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) high speed internet services transfer data utilizing a copper telephone line. Unlike dial-up services, DSL works off of frequencies that aren't used for making phone calls by splitting the line in two - one for voice calls and another for internet use.
DSL lines run 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 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 involved and it's a genuine high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate as high as 10Mbps. DSL may also deliver better stability and security than various other options because it is being provided by a phone line that often isn't shared.
Major DSL internet service providers include AT&T and Verizon. You can find DSL options from ISPs in your area by entering your address in the box above.
Minnesota Satellite Internet Services and Providers
Satellite internet services utilize 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 about 1-2 seconds.
Despite the possibility of short delays, satellite internet is capable of delivering data at 5Mbps. Satellite high speed internet is ideal for those wanting broadband internet in rural areas where other internet services aren't available. AT&T and the Dish Network are both top providers of satellite broadband internet services.
See if satellite high speed internet services are available in your town by entering your address within the box above.
Minnesota Fiber Optic Internet Services and Providers
Fiber Optic is the newest and fastest way 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 stable internet connection. This is mainly because fiber optic wiring is more sturdy than other connections and isn't affected by storms, static or noise.
For those trying to find 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.
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 broadband internet services in 2006 and are continuously increasing 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.
