Nowadays, people are able to 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 find internet service providers and the most affordable plans in your city.
Trying to determine which internet plan will work the best for you? Keep reading for more information about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which Virginia High Speed Internet Service is Right for you?
The internet has turned into a powerful tool that helps you stay in touch with friends and family, work remotely in your own home, download media to enjoy on your own schedule and much more. Internet service providers (ISPs) realize that your internet needs are unique and now they provide more options for high speed internet than ever before.
What's High Speed Internet?
When the internet was first launched in the mid-1990's, the only 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 great solution for most people since most already had a home phone.
Nevertheless, internet speeds tended to be slow and depended on your location. 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 matured to include more robust media and websites many determined they required a quicker internet service.
ISPs looked to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to provide speedier internet services. These methods are often called as "broadband". Over time as the services have gotten better, the measurement for what's considered broadband has changed.
Currently, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed broadband if it's got data download or upload speeds above 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high speed internet may still vary based on a few factors such as how much bandwidth you share with other consumers employing your internet service provider and your proximity to your ISP.
Those interested in high-speed internet can select between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet, or fiber optic internet services.
Virginia Cable Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Cable high speed internet services work with a cable TV connection to provide consumers with broadband internet access. In order to make the connection there is a cable modem on the users end and a cable modem termination system at the cable providers end. The distance between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles with virtually no difficulties occurring.
Cable internet can operate at up to 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the volume of data being transmitted. Additionally, when working with cable broadband internet services you share bandwidth with other customers. 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 high speed internet. Comcast, Time Warner and Cox Communcations are all top rated cable high speed internet service providers throughout much of the US.
Check the availability of cable broadband internet service in your city - call the number above or enter your address inside the secure search form to get started.
Virginia DSL Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) 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 another for high speed internet use.
Digital subscriber lines run from a central office out to consumers. Typically this limits 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 specific download and upload speeds.
The good thing is that little to no infrastructure is involved and it's a true high speed internet service that transmits data at a rate up to 10Mbps. DSL may also provide 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 service providers include AT&T and Verizon. You can find DSL options from internet service providers in your neighborhood by entering your address inside the box above.
Virginia Satellite Internet Services and Providers
Satellite high speed internet services utilize 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 many miles users can occasionally experience signal delays of about 1-2 seconds.
Despite the potential for short delays, satellite high speed internet is capable of supplying data at 5Mbps. Satellite internet is ideal 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 high speed internet services.
See if satellite high speed internet services are available in your neighborhood by entering your address inside the box above.
Virginia Fiber Optic Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Fiber Optic is the latest and fastest approach to bring internet into the home. Systems of fiber optic cables can deliver broadband internet nearly 25 times faster than other high-speed options and provide an extremly stable internet connection. This is mainly because 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 internet access fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic networks are known for their ability to transmit data at rates of up to 50 Mbps.
Presently, Comcast and AT&T deliver fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic high speed internet services are only available 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 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.
