Today, people can do more with the internet than ever before, and America Connects gives you more ways to get connected. Just enter your address inside the box above to find internet providers and the cheapest plans in your town.
Trying to decide which internet service is best for you? Read on to find out more about internet access solutions, speeds and more.
Which Missouri High Speed Internet Service is Best for You?
The internet has turned into a powerful tool that lets you stay in touch with family and friends, work remotely at home, download media for entertainment 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 is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was first unveiled in the mid-1990's, the only 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 many individuals since most already had a home telephone.
Nevertheless, internet speeds tended to be sluggish and were dependent on your location. 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 determined they required a faster internet service.
ISPs looked to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to provide faster internet services. These methods are often called as "broadband". Over time as internet services have gotten better, the measurement for what's considered high speed broadband has changed.
Nowadays, the FCC considers an internet service to be high-speed if it has data download or upload speeds greater than 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high-speed internet may still vary depending on a few factors for example how much bandwidth you share with other customers using your ISP as well as your proximity to your internet service provider.
Those considering broadband internet can select between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet or fiber optic high speed internet services.
Missouri Cable Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Cable high speed internet services work with a cable TV connection to provide customers with broadband internet access. In order to make the connection there is a cable modem on the users end and a cable modem termination system on the cable operators end. The length between the modem and termination system can be approximately 100 miles with virtually no difficulties occurring.
Cable high speed internet can work 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 subscribers. The network monitor makes sure that bandwidth is distributed efficiently so that service doesn't slow during hours when overall usage peaks.
There are a number of service provider options for cable internet. Time Warner and Comcast are leading cable high speed internet service providers throughout the majority of the U.S..
Check the availability of cable broadband internet service in your neighborhood - enter your address within the box above.
Missouri DSL Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) internet services transmit data through 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 broadband internet use.
Digital subscriber lines run from a central office out to customers. This typically confines DSL distribution to a short distance of two miles from the central office, though some lines go up to 5 miles long. This factor also affects the exact download and upload speeds.
Fortunately virtually no infrastructure is involved and it's a true broadband internet service that transmits data at a rate as high as 10Mbps. DSL also offers better dependability and security than various other options because it is being provided by a telephone line that usually isn't shared.
Top rated DSL service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from providers in your area by entering your address in the box above.
Missouri Satellite Internet Services and Providers
Satellite broadband internet services use orbiting satellites to capture and relay broadband data between a satellite company and its subscribers. 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 around 1-2 seconds.
Despite the chance of short delays, satellite internet is capable of supplying data at 5Mbps. Satellite internet is perfect for those wanting broadband internet in rural locations where DSL and cable services aren't available. AT&T, and the Dish Network are both top rated providers of satellite internet services.
See if satellite high speed internet services are available in your area by entering your address within the box above.
Missouri 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 internet nearly 25 times faster than other broadband options and are more reliable than cable, DSL and satellite services. This is due to the fact that fiber optic wiring is more sturdy than other connections and isn't affected 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 well-known for their ability to transmit data at rates as high as 50 Mbps.
Currently, Comcast and AT&T provide 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 increasing their service areas.
See if fiber optic high speed internet services are available in your town - enter your address in the box above.
