Today, people can do more using the internet than ever before, and America Connects gives you more ways to get connected. Just enter your address within the box above to find internet service providers and the best-priced plans in your town.
Trying to determine which internet package will work the best for you? Keep reading for more information about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which Washington High Speed Internet Service is Best for You?
The internet has turned into a powerful tool that lets you stay in touch with friends and family, work remotely at 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 offer more options for high speed internet than ever.
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 to the home employing a local phone number and active phone line. At the time this was an effective method for most people since most already had a home phone.
Nevertheless, internet speeds tended to be slow and were dependent on your local area. Another drawback was that in order to gain access to the internet the phone line used as the connection needed to be free. As the internet grew to incorporate more robust media and sites many determined they needed a quicker internet service.
ISPs looked to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to deliver speedier internet services. These methods are often referred to as "broadband". Over the years as the services have improved, the measurement for what's considered high-speed has changed.
Today, the FCC considers an internet service to be high-speed if they have data download or upload speeds in excess of 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high speed internet can still vary depending on a few factors like how much bandwidth you share with other consumers using your internet service provider and your proximity to your ISP.
Those thinking about high speed internet can select between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet, or fiber optic broadband internet services.
Washington Cable High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Cable internet services utilize a cable TV connection to provide customers with broadband 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 space between the modem and termination system can be up to 100 miles without any issues occurring.
Cable high speed internet can work at up to 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the amount of data being transmitted. In addition, when using cable high speed 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 many service provider options for cable internet. Comcast, Time Warner and Cox Communcations are all leading cable broadband internet service providers throughout the majority of the U.S..
Check on the availability of cable broadband internet service in your area - call the number above or enter your address in the secure search form to get started.
Washington 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 broadband internet use.
DSL lines run from a central office out to customers. This typically limits 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 virtually no infrastructure is needed and it is a genuine broadband internet service that transmits data at a rate as high as 10Mbps. DSL may also deliver better dependability and security than some other options because it is being supplied by a phone line that often isn't shared.
Major DSL 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.
Washington Satellite Broadband 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 subscribers. Although the download and upload speeds are considered broadband, because data must travel to the satellite and back over many miles users can sometimes experience signal delays of around 1-2 seconds.
Despite the chance of short delays, satellite internet is capable of providing data at 5Mbps. Satellite internet is ideal for those wanting broadband internet in rural places where other internet services aren't available. AT&T and the Dish Network are both top rated providers of satellite broadband internet services.
See if satellite broadband internet services are available in your area by entering your address in the box above.
Washington 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 internet nearly 25 times faster than other high-speed options and provide an extremly stable internet connection. This is due to the fact that fiber optic wiring is more resilient than other connections and isn't impacted by storms, static or noise.
For those searching for the fastest high speed high speed internet access fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic networks are well-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 broadband internet services are only obtainable through Verizon FiOS. They started providing fiber optic high speed internet services in 2006 and are continuously adding to their service areas.
See if fiber optic high speed 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.
