Today, users can do more using the internet than they ever have before, and America Connects offers you more ways to get connected. Simply enter your address inside the box above to locate internet providers and the most affordable plans in your neighborhood.
Trying to decide which internet package is the best for you? Continue reading for more information about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which South Carolina High Speed Internet Service is Best for You?
The internet has become a powerful tool that enables you to keep in touch with family and friends, work remotely from your home, download media to enjoy on your own schedule and much more. Internet service providers (ISPs) recognize that your internet needs are unique and now they deliver more options for high speed internet than ever before.
What is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was first unveiled in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what is known as dial-up service. Dial-up delivers internet access into the home by using a local telephone number and active telephone line. At the time this was a great choice for many individuals since most people already had a home telephone.
However, internet speeds tended to be sluggish and depended on your physical location. One other drawback was that in order to gain access to the internet the phone line used as the connection had 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 looked to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to supply faster internet services. These methods are known as "broadband". Through the years as internet services have improved, the measurement for what is considered high-speed has changed.
Nowadays, the FCC considers an internet service to be broadband if they have data download or upload speeds exceeding 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your broadband internet may 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 ISP.
Those considering high speed internet can select between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet, or fiber optic high speed internet services.
South Carolina Cable High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Cable broadband internet services utilize a cable TV connection to provide subscribers with broadband internet access. In order to make the connection there's a cable modem at the users end along with a cable modem termination system at the cable operators end. The distance between the modem and termination system can be up to 100 miles with virtually no problems occurring.
Cable broadband internet can operate at as much as 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the amount of data being transmitted. In addition, when working with cable internet services you share bandwidth with other consumers. 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 broadband internet. Comcast, Time Warner and Cox Communcations are all major cable high speed internet service providers throughout much of the US.
Check on the availability of cable broadband internet service in your town - call the number above or enter your address in the secure search form to get started.
South Carolina DSL Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) internet services transfer data utilizing 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 another for internet use.
DSL lines go from a central office out to subscribers. Typically this restricts 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 exact download and upload speeds.
The good thing is that little to no infrastructure is required and it is a genuine high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate up to 10Mbps. DSL may also deliver better stability and security than some other options because it is being supplied by a phone line that usually isn't shared.
Top rated DSL internet service providers include AT&T and Verizon. You can find DSL options from ISPs in your area by entering your address inside the box above.
South Carolina Satellite Broadband 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 customers. Although 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 around 1-2 seconds.
Despite the possibility of short delays, satellite high speed internet is capable of providing data at 5Mbps. Satellite broadband internet is perfect for those wanting high speed 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 broadband internet services are available in your town by entering your address inside the box above.
South Carolina Fiber Optic High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Fiber Optic is the most recent and fastest approach to bring internet into the home. Networks of fiber optic cables can deliver broadband internet nearly 25 times faster than other broadband options and provide an extremly stable 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 looking for the fastest high speed internet access fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic networks are known for their ability to transmit data at rates as high as 50 Mbps.
Presently, Comcast and AT&T deliver fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic 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 broadband internet services are available in your town - call the toll free number above for personal assistance or enter your address in the secure search form.
