Nowadays, people are able to do more using the internet than they ever have before, and America Connects gives you more ways to get connected. Simply enter your address in the box above to find internet providers and the best-priced plans in your city.
Trying to determine which internet package is best for you? Read on for more info about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which Pennsylvania High Speed Internet Service is Best for You?
The internet has turned into a powerful tool that enables you to stay in touch with family and friends, work remotely from your home, download media for entertainment on your own schedule and much more. Internet service providers (ISPs) realize that your internet needs are unique and now they offer more options for high speed internet than ever.
What exactly is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was initially introduced in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what's known as dial-up service. Dial-up delivers internet access to the home employing a local telephone number and active phone line. At the time this was a great choice for many people since most people already had a home phone.
However, internet speeds tended to be sluggish and were dependent on your physical location. One other drawback was that in order to access the internet the telephone line used as the connection needed to be free. As the internet grew to include more robust media and sites many discovered they required a quicker internet service.
Internet Service Providers turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to deliver speedier internet services. These methods are known as "broadband". Over time as the services have gotten better, the measurement for what's considered high-speed has changed.
Currently, 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 like how much bandwidth you share with other subscribers employing your ISP as well as your proximity to your internet service provider.
Those interested in high-speed internet can choose between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet, or fiber optic internet services.
Pennsylvania Cable Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services work with a cable TV connection to provide consumers with broadband internet access. In order to make the connection there is a cable modem at the users end and a cable modem termination system on the cable operators end. The distance between the modem and termination system can be up to 100 miles with virtually no problems occurring.
Cable internet can function at around 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may limit the amount of data being transmitted. Moreover, when using cable internet services you share bandwidth with other subscribers. The network monitor makes certain that bandwidth is distributed efficiently to ensure service doesn't slow during hours when overall usage peaks.
There are many service provider options for cable internet. Comcast, Time Warner and Cox Communcations are all top cable broadband internet service providers throughout most of the country.
Check the availability of cable high speed internet service in your neighborhood - call the number above or enter your address inside the secure search form to get started.
Pennsylvania DSL Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) high speed internet services transfer data through a copper telephone 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 another for high speed internet use.
Digital subscriber lines run 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 actual download and upload speeds.
The good thing is that little to no infrastructure is needed and it is a true high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate up to 10Mbps. DSL may also deliver better stability and security than various other options because it is being supplied 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 town by entering your address inside the box above.
Pennsylvania 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 occasionally experience signal delays of about 1-2 seconds.
Despite the possibility of short delays, satellite high speed internet is capable of delivering data at 5Mbps. Satellite broadband internet is ideal for those wanting high speed internet in rural places where other internet 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 city by entering your address inside the box above.
Pennsylvania Fiber Optic High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Fiber Optic is the most recent and fastest way to bring high speed internet into the home. Systems of fiber optic cables can deliver internet up to 25 times faster than other broadband options and provide an extremly reliable internet connection. This is due to the fact that fiber optic wiring is more sturdy than other connections and isn't impacted by storms, static or noise.
For those trying to find the fastest 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 offer fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic broadband internet services are only accessible through Verizon FiOS. They started providing fiber optic high speed internet services in 2006 and are continuously increasing their service areas.
See if fiber optic 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.
