Today, users are able to do more using the internet than ever before, and America Connects offers you more ways to get connected. Just enter your address within the box above to find internet service providers and the most affordable plans in your area.
Trying to determine which internet plan 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 become a powerful tool that helps you stay in touch with family and friends, work remotely from 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 deliver more options for high speed internet than ever before.
What exactly is 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 brings internet access to the home using a local phone number and active telephone line. At the time this was a good solution for most people since most already had a home telephone.
Even so, internet speeds tended to be sluggish and depended on your physical location. Another drawback was that in order to access the internet the telephone line used as the connection had to be free. As the internet evolved to incorporate more robust media and websites many determined they needed a faster internet service.
Internet Service Providers turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to deliver speedier internet services. These methods are often referred to as "broadband". Through the years as internet services have gotten better, the measurement for what is considered high-speed has evolved.
Today, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed if it's got data download or upload speeds over 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your broadband internet can still vary depending on several factors such as how much bandwidth you share with other customers using your ISP and your proximity to your internet service provider.
Those interested in high-speed internet can pick between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet or fiber optic broadband internet services.
Pennsylvania Cable Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services utilize a cable TV connection to provide consumers with internet access. In order to make the connection there is a cable modem on the users end and a cable modem termination system at the cable suppliers end. The length between the modem and termination system can be up to 100 miles without any problems occurring.
Cable broadband internet can operate 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 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 internet. Time Warner and Comcast are major cable internet service providers throughout much of the US.
Check on the availability of cable broadband internet service in your area - enter your address within the box above.
Pennsylvania DSL Broadband 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 subscribers. Typically this confines DSL distribution to a short distance of two miles from the central office, though some lines run up to five miles long. This factor also affects the specific download and upload speeds.
The good thing is that little to no infrastructure is involved and it's a genuine broadband internet service that transmits data at a rate as high as 10Mbps. DSL also offers better dependability and security than some other options because it is being supplied by a phone line that usually isn't shared.
Top rated DSL service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from service providers in your city by entering your address inside the box above.
Pennsylvania Satellite High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Satellite high speed internet services employ orbiting satellites to capture and pass on broadband data between a satellite company and its subscribers. Though the download and upload speeds are considered 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 potential for short delays, satellite high speed internet is capable of supplying data at 5Mbps. Satellite 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 leading providers of satellite broadband internet services.
See if satellite high speed internet services are available in your neighborhood by entering your address within the box above.
Pennsylvania Fiber Optic Internet Services and Providers
Fiber optic is the latest and fastest approach to bring internet into the home. Systems of fiber optic cables can deliver internet up to 25 times faster than other broadband options and are more reliable than cable, DSL and satellite services. This is mainly because fiber optic wiring is more resilient than other connections and isn't affected 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 renowned for their ability to transmit data at rates as high as 50 Mbps.
Currently, Comcast and AT&T offer fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic internet services are only accessible 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 area - enter your address in the box above.
