Today, people can do more using the internet than they ever have before, and America Connects gives you more ways to get connected. Simply enter your address within the box above to find internet service providers and the most economical plans in your city.
Trying to decide which internet service is the best for you? Read on for more information about internet access solutions, speeds and more.
Which Rhode Island High Speed Internet Service is Right for you?
The internet has turned into a powerful tool that allows you to stay 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) realize that your internet needs are unique and now they deliver more options for high speed internet than ever before.
What's High Speed Internet?
When the internet was unveiled in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what's known as dial-up service. Dial-up brings internet access in to the home using a local phone number and active telephone line. At the time this was an effective method for most people since most already had a home telephone.
Even so, internet speeds tended to be slow and were dependent on your physical location. The other drawback was that in order to access the internet the phone line used as the connection had to be free. As the internet matured to include more robust media and sites many discovered they needed a faster internet service.
Internet Service Providers turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to supply speedier internet services. These methods are known as "broadband". Over time as internet 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 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 depending on a few factors for example how much bandwidth you share with other consumers using your internet service provider as well as your proximity to your internet service provider.
Those interested in high speed internet can select between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet or fiber optic broadband internet services.
Rhode Island Cable High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services use a cable TV connection to provide consumers with high speed 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 operators end. The length between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles without any difficulties occurring.
Cable high speed internet can work at up to 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may limit the amount of data being transmitted. Additionally, when using cable broadband internet services you share bandwidth with other subscribers. The network monitor makes certain that bandwidth is distributed efficiently so that service doesn't slow during hours when overall usage peaks.
There are a number of service provider options for cable high speed internet. Time Warner and Comcast are top rated cable high speed internet service providers throughout the majority of the US.
Check on the availability of cable broadband internet service in your town - enter your address within the box above.
Rhode Island DSL Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) high speed internet services transmit data using a copper telephone 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 broadband internet use.
Digital subscriber lines run from a central office out to consumers. This typically limits DSL distribution to a short distance of 2 miles from the central office, though some lines go up to 5 miles long. This factor also affects the exact download and upload speeds.
The good news is that little to no infrastructure is required and it is a true high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate of up to 10Mbps. DSL also delivers better reliability and security than some other options because it is being provided by a phone line that often isn't shared.
Top rated DSL service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from service providers in your area by entering your address in the box above.
Rhode Island Satellite Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Satellite internet services utilize orbiting satellites to capture and relay 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 sometimes experience signal delays of around 1-2 seconds.
Despite the chance of short delays, satellite internet is capable of supplying data at 5Mbps. Satellite broadband internet is ideal for those wanting high speed internet in rural locations where DSL and cable services aren't available. AT&T, and the Dish Network are both top providers of satellite high speed internet services.
See if satellite internet services are available in your area by entering your address in the box above.
Rhode Island Fiber Optic High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Fiber optic is the newest and fastest approach to bring broadband internet into the home. Networks of fiber optic cables can deliver high speed internet up to 25 times faster than other high speed options and are more dependable than cable, DSL and satellite services. This is due to the fact that fiber optic wiring is more durable than other connections and isn't troubled by storms, static or noise.
For those looking for the fastest high speed high speed internet access fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic networks are recognized for their ability to transmit data at rates of up to 50 Mbps.
Presently, Comcast and AT&T offer fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic broadband internet services are only available through Verizon FiOS. They began providing fiber optic high speed internet services in 2006 and are continuously increasing their service areas.
See if fiber optic broadband internet services are available in your neighborhood - enter your address in the box above.
