Today, people are able to 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 find internet service providers and the best-priced plans in your area.
Trying to decide which internet service is the best for you? Continue reading to learn more about internet access solutions, speeds and more.
Which Missouri High Speed Internet Service is Right for you?
The internet has become a powerful tool that enables you to stay in touch with friends and family, work remotely at home, download media for entertainment 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.
What 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 by using a local phone number and active phone line. At the time this was a good solution for many individuals since most people already had a home telephone.
However, internet speeds tended to be slow and were dependent on your local area. Another drawback was that in order to access the internet the phone line used as the connection had to be free. As the internet evolved to incorporate more robust media and websites many found they required a faster internet service.
Internet Service Providers turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to provide faster internet services. These methods are known as "broadband". Over time as internet services have improved, the measurement for what's considered high speed broadband has changed.
Currently, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed broadband if they have data download or upload speeds in excess of 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high speed internet can still vary based on a few factors like how much bandwidth you share with other customers employing your ISP and your proximity to your ISP.
Those considering broadband internet can select between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet, or fiber optic broadband internet services.
Missouri Cable High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services work with a cable TV connection to provide subscribers with broadband 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 operators end. The distance between the modem and termination system can be up to 100 miles without any issues occurring.
Cable broadband internet can work at up to 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may limit the amount of data being transmitted. Moreover, when you use cable broadband internet services you share bandwidth with other consumers. The network monitor makes sure that bandwidth is distributed efficiently so that 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 leading cable broadband internet service providers throughout the majority of the nation.
Check the availability of cable broadband internet service in your area - call the number above or enter your address within the secure search form to get started.
Missouri DSL Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) high speed internet services transmit data using 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 high speed internet use.
Digital subscriber lines go from a central office out to customers. Typically this restricts 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 specific download and upload speeds.
The good thing is that little to no infrastructure is needed and it's a true broadband internet service that transmits data at a rate of up to 10Mbps. DSL may also deliver better dependability and security than some other options because it is being delivered by a telephone line that often isn't shared.
Top DSL service providers include AT&T and Verizon. You can find DSL options from service providers in your area by entering your address inside the box above.
Missouri Satellite Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Satellite internet services use 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 many miles users can occasionally experience signal delays of about 1-2 seconds.
Despite the potential for short delays, satellite internet is capable of supplying data at 5Mbps. Satellite internet is perfect for those wanting broadband internet in rural locations where other internet services aren't available. AT&T and the Dish Network are both leading providers of satellite high speed internet services.
See if satellite high speed internet services are available in your city by entering your address inside the box above.
Missouri Fiber Optic Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Fiber Optic is the most recent and fastest approach to bring high speed internet into the home. Systems of fiber optic cables can deliver high speed internet up to 25 times faster than other high-speed options and provide an extremly dependable internet connection. This is due to the fact that fiber optic wiring is more durable than other connections and isn't affected by storms, static or noise.
For those wanting 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 of up to 50 Mbps.
Presently, Comcast and AT&T deliver fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic internet services are only available through Verizon FiOS. They started providing fiber optic high speed internet services in 2006 and are continuously adding to their service areas.
See if fiber optic broadband internet services are available in your neighborhood - call the toll free number above for personal assistance or enter your address in the secure search form.
