Today, people are able to do more with the internet than they ever have before, and America Connects offers you more ways to get connected. Just enter your address inside the box above to find internet providers and the best-priced plans in your neighborhood.
Trying to determine which internet plan will work the best for you? Keep reading for more info about internet access solutions, speeds and more.
Which Rhode Island 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 from your home, download media to enjoy 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.
What exactly is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was initially introduced in the mid-1990's, the only option was what is known as dial-up service. Dial-up delivers internet access in to the home by using a local telephone number and active telephone line. At the time this was a great choice for many since most people already had a home phone.
Even so, internet speeds tended to be slow and depended on your physical location. One 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 include more robust media and sites many discovered they required a quicker internet service.
ISPs looked to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to deliver speedier internet services. These methods are often referred to as "broadband". Over the years as the services have improved, the measurement for what's considered high speed has evolved.
Today, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed broadband if it's got data download or upload speeds in excess of 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high-speed internet can still vary based on a few factors such as how much bandwidth you share with other subscribers employing your internet service provider and your proximity to your internet service provider.
Those interested in broadband internet can pick between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet, or fiber optic internet services.
Rhode Island Cable Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Cable high speed internet services utilize a cable TV connection to provide customers with internet access. In order to make the connection there's a cable modem at the users end and a cable modem termination system at the cable suppliers end. The length between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles with virtually no problems occurring.
Cable high speed internet can operate at up to 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may limit the amount of data being transmitted. In addition, when working with cable high speed 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 broadband internet. Comcast, Time Warner and Cox Communcations are all top cable internet service providers throughout the majority of the US.
Check on the availability of cable high speed internet service in your area - call the number above or enter your address inside the secure search form to get started.
Rhode Island DSL High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) broadband internet services transmit data utilizing a copper telephone 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 another for internet use.
DSL lines go from a central office out to subscribers. This typically limits DSL distribution to a short distance of 2 miles from the central office, though some lines go up to five miles long. This factor also affects the exact download and upload speeds.
The good thing is that little to no infrastructure is needed and it's a true broadband internet service that transmits data at a rate up to 10Mbps. DSL may also deliver better reliability and security than various other options because it is being delivered by a telephone line that usually isn't shared.
Top DSL ISPs include AT&T and Verizon. You can find DSL options from providers in your area by entering your address within the box above.
Rhode Island Satellite Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Satellite broadband internet services employ 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 thousands of miles users can occasionally experience signal delays of about 1-2 seconds.
Despite the potential for short delays, satellite internet is capable of providing data at 5Mbps. Satellite high speed internet is perfect for those wanting broadband internet in rural areas where other internet services aren't available. AT&T and the Dish Network are both prominent providers of satellite internet services.
See if satellite internet services are available in your city by entering your address within the box above.
Rhode Island Fiber Optic Internet Services and Providers
Fiber Optic is the newest and fastest way to bring internet into the home. Networks of fiber optic cables can deliver broadband internet nearly 25 times faster than other high speed options and provide an extremly reliable internet connection. This is due to the fact that fiber optic wiring is more durable than other connections and isn't affected by storms, static or noise.
For those trying to find the fastest high speed broadband 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 deliver fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic broadband internet services are only available 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 high speed internet services are available in your area - call the toll free number above for personal assistance or enter your address in the secure search form.
