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 providers and the most economical plans in your neighborhood.
Trying to determine which internet plan is the best for you? Keep reading for more info about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which Tennessee 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.
What exactly is High Speed Internet?
When the internet was first launched in the mid-1990's, the sole option was what is known as dial-up service. Dial-up brings internet access into the home by using a local telephone number and active phone line. At the time this was a great solution for many individuals since most already had a home phone.
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 telephone line used as the connection needed to be free. As the internet evolved to incorporate more robust media and sites many discovered they needed a quicker internet service.
ISPs turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to provide speedier internet services. These methods are known as "broadband". Through the years as internet services have gotten better, 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 high-speed internet can still vary depending on several factors for example how much bandwidth you share with other customers employing your ISP as well as your proximity to your internet service provider.
Those interested in broadband internet can choose between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet, or fiber optic broadband internet services.
Tennessee Cable High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Cable high speed internet services utilize a cable TV connection to provide subscribers with internet access. In order to make the connection there's a cable modem on the users end along with a cable modem termination system at the cable suppliers end. The space between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles with virtually no problems occurring.
Cable broadband internet can operate at around 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may limit the volume of data being transmitted. Furthermore, when using cable internet services you share bandwidth with other consumers. The network monitor makes certain that bandwidth is distributed efficiently so that service doesn't slow down during hours when overall usage peaks.
There are a number of service provider options for cable internet. Comcast, Time Warner and Cox Communcations are all major cable high speed internet service providers throughout most of the US.
Check the availability of cable internet service in your area - call the number above or enter your address within the secure search form to get started.
Tennessee DSL Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) internet services transfer data through 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 high speed 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 go up to five miles long. This factor also affects the specific download and upload speeds.
Fortunately little to no infrastructure is involved and it's a genuine high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate as high as 10Mbps. DSL may also offer better reliability and security than some other options because it is being delivered by a telephone line that often isn't shared.
Top DSL service providers include AT&T and Verizon. You can find DSL options from ISPs in your city by entering your address inside the box above.
Tennessee Satellite 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 qualify as 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 broadband internet is capable of supplying data at 5Mbps. Satellite high speed 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 leading providers of satellite broadband internet services.
See if satellite internet services are available in your city by entering your address in the box above.
Tennessee Fiber Optic Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Fiber Optic is the most recent and fastest way 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 provide an extremly dependable internet connection. This is mainly because fiber optic wiring is more resilient than other connections and isn't impacted by storms, static or noise.
For those trying to find the fastest high speed 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.
Currently, Comcast and AT&T provide fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic internet services are only obtainable through Verizon FiOS. They began providing fiber optic high speed internet services in 2006 and are continuously adding to their service areas.
See if fiber optic internet services are available in your neighborhood - call the toll free number above for personal assistance or enter your address in the secure search form.
