These days, people 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 inside the box above to locate internet providers and the best-priced plans in your area.
Trying to determine which internet plan is the best for you? Read on to learn more about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which Ohio High Speed Internet Service is Right for you?
The internet has turned into a powerful tool that lets you keep in touch with family and friends, work remotely from a home office, 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 offer more options for high speed internet than ever before.
What's High Speed Internet?
When the internet was initially launched in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what's known as dial-up service. Dial-up delivers internet access in 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 people already had a home telephone.
Nevertheless, internet speeds tended to be slow and depended on your physical location. The other drawback was that in order to access the internet the phone line used as the connection needed to be free. As the internet expanded to incorporate more robust media and websites many found they needed a quicker internet service.
ISPs turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to deliver speedier internet services. These methods are often called 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 it has data download or upload speeds greater than 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your broadband internet can still vary depending on a few factors for example how much bandwidth you share with other consumers employing your internet service provider and your proximity to your ISP.
Those considering broadband internet can choose between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet or fiber optic broadband internet services.
Ohio Cable High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Cable internet services work with a cable TV connection to supply customers with high speed 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 distance between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles with virtually no difficulties occurring.
Cable internet can work at as much as 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the amount of data being transmitted. Furthermore, when you use cable internet services you share bandwidth with other customers. The network monitor makes sure 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 high speed internet. Time Warner and Comcast are major cable high speed internet service providers throughout much of the U.S..
Check the availability of cable internet service in your neighborhood - enter your address in the box above.
Ohio DSL Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband internet services transmit data through a copper telephone line. Unlike dial-up services, DSL works off of frequencies that aren't used for making telephone calls by splitting the line in two - one for voice calls and another for broadband internet use.
DSL lines go from a central office out to consumers. Typically this confines 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 specific download and upload speeds.
The good news is that virtually no infrastructure is needed and it is a genuine high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate up to 10Mbps. DSL also delivers better stability and security than various other options because it is being delivered by a telephone line that usually isn't shared.
Top rated DSL service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from service providers in your neighborhood by entering your address in the box above.
Ohio Satellite Internet Services and Providers
Satellite high speed 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 are considered 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 possibility of short delays, satellite broadband internet is capable of providing data at 5Mbps. Satellite broadband internet is ideal for those wanting high speed internet in rural places where DSL and cable services aren't available. AT&T, and the Dish Network are both top providers of satellite broadband internet services.
See if satellite broadband internet services are available in your area by entering your address in the box above.
Ohio Fiber Optic High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Fiber optic is the newest and fastest way to bring broadband internet into the home. Networks of fiber optic cables can deliver broadband internet up to 25 times faster than other high-speed options and are more solid 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 trying to find 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 of up to 50 Mbps.
Currently, Comcast and AT&T provide fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic internet services are only available through Verizon FiOS. They began providing fiber optic internet services in 2006 and are continuously increasing their service areas.
See if fiber optic high speed internet services are available in your area - enter your address in the box above.
