Nowadays, users are able to do more using the internet than ever 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 best-priced plans in your town.
Trying to decide which internet package is the best for you? Keep reading for more info about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which South Carolina High Speed Internet Service is Best for You?
The internet has turned into a powerful tool that enables you to keep in touch with friends and family, work remotely from a home office, 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.
What's High Speed Internet?
When the internet was launched in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what is known as dial-up service. Dial-up delivers internet access into the home using a local telephone number and active telephone line. At the time this was a good solution for many individuals since most already had a home phone.
However, internet speeds tended to be slow and depended on your local area. One other drawback was that in order to access the internet the telephone line used as the connection had to be free. As the internet grew to incorporate more robust media and sites many determined they needed a quicker internet service.
ISPs turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to deliver speedier internet services. These methods are often called as "broadband". Over time as the services have gotten better, the measurement for what is considered broadband has changed.
Nowadays, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed if they have data download or upload speeds exceeding 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high speed internet can still vary based on several factors such as how much bandwidth you share with other subscribers 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 internet services.
South Carolina Cable Internet Services and Providers
Cable internet services work with a cable TV connection to supply customers with broadband internet access. In order to make the connection there's a cable modem on the users end along with a cable modem termination system on the cable providers end. The space between the modem and termination system can be up to 100 miles without any difficulties occurring.
Cable internet can function at as much as 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the volume of data being transmitted. Moreover, when working with 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 a number of service provider options for cable internet. Time Warner and Comcast are leading cable internet service providers throughout much of the country.
Check on the availability of cable internet service in your city - enter your address in the box above.
South Carolina DSL High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) high speed internet services transfer data through a copper phone 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 the other for broadband internet use.
DSL lines go from a central office out to consumers. Typically this restricts DSL distribution to a short distance of two 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 news is that little to no infrastructure is involved and it is a true high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate as high as 10Mbps. DSL also offers better stability and security than some other options because it is being provided by a phone line that usually isn't shared.
Leading DSL service providers include AT&T. You can find DSL options from service providers in your town by entering your address within the box above.
South Carolina Satellite High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Satellite internet services employ orbiting satellites to capture and relay 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 possibility of short delays, satellite internet is capable of delivering data at 5Mbps. Satellite broadband 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 top rated providers of satellite broadband internet services.
See if satellite internet services are available in your area by entering your address within 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 high speed internet nearly 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 internet access fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic networks are renowned 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 internet services are only obtainable through Verizon FiOS. They began providing fiber optic broadband internet services in 2006 and are continuously adding to their service areas.
See if fiber optic high speed internet services are available in your town - enter your address in the box above.
