These days, people can do more with the internet than they ever have before, and America Connects offers you more ways to get connected. Just enter your address in the box above to find internet providers and the cheapest plans in your area.
Trying to decide which internet package will work the best for you? Read on for more info about internet access solutions, speeds and more.
Which Oregon High Speed Internet Service is Best for You?
The internet has become a powerful tool that allows you to stay in touch with friends and family, work remotely in your own home, 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.
What is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was first launched in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what is known as dial-up service. Dial-up brings internet access in to the home using a local telephone number and active telephone line. At the time this was a good solution for many since most already had a home telephone.
Even so, internet speeds tended to be sluggish and were dependent on your local area. The other drawback was that in order to access the internet the telephone line used as the connection needed to be free. As the internet matured to incorporate more robust media and websites many discovered they needed a quicker internet service.
ISPs looked to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to provide faster internet services. These methods are often referred to as "broadband". Over the years as internet services have gotten better, the measurement for what is considered broadband has changed.
Currently, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed broadband if it's got data download or upload speeds over 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high-speed internet may still vary based on several factors like how much bandwidth you share with other subscribers using 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 broadband internet services.
Oregon Cable Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services work with a cable TV connection to supply consumers with high speed internet access. In order to make the connection there is a cable modem on the users end along with a cable modem termination system on the cable suppliers end. The distance between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles without any problems occurring.
Cable high speed internet can operate at as much as 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the volume of data being transmitted. Additionally, when using cable broadband internet services you share bandwidth with other consumers. 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 leading cable internet service providers throughout much of the nation.
Check on the availability of cable broadband internet service in your city - enter your address within the box above.
Oregon DSL Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) high speed internet services transfer data through a copper phone 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 one for internet use.
DSL lines go from a central office out to consumers. Typically this confines 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 exact download and upload speeds.
The good thing is that virtually no infrastructure is required and it's a genuine high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate up to 10Mbps. DSL also offers better dependability and security than various other options because it is being supplied by a phone line that usually isn't shared.
Top DSL service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from ISPs in your area by entering your address inside the box above.
Oregon Satellite High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Satellite high speed internet services utilize 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 possibility of short delays, satellite internet is capable of supplying data at 5Mbps. Satellite internet is perfect for those wanting high speed internet in rural areas where DSL and cable services aren't available. AT&T, and the Dish Network are both major providers of satellite internet services.
See if satellite internet services are available in your area by entering your address in the box above.
Oregon Fiber Optic High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Fiber optic is the newest and fastest approach to bring broadband internet into the home. Systems of fiber optic cables can deliver broadband internet nearly 25 times faster than other high speed options and are more dependable than cable, DSL and satellite services. This is mainly because fiber optic wiring is more sturdy than other connections and isn't impacted 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 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 internet services are only obtainable through Verizon FiOS. They started providing fiber optic broadband internet services in 2006 and are continuously adding to their service areas.
See if fiber optic internet services are available in your area - enter your address in the box above.
