Today, users are able to do more with the internet than they ever have before, and America Connects offers you more ways to get connected. Just enter your address inside the box above to locate internet service providers and the cheapest plans in your town.
Trying to decide which internet service is best for you? Keep reading to learn more about internet access options, speeds and more.
Which Wisconsin High Speed Internet Service is Right for you?
The internet has become a powerful tool that allows you to keep in touch with family and friends, work remotely from home, download media to enjoy on your own schedule and much more. Internet service providers (ISPs) know that your internet needs are unique and now they provide 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 delivers internet access to the home by using a local telephone number and active phone line. At the time this was a great solution for many since most already had a home telephone.
However, internet speeds tended to be sluggish and were dependent on your physical location. The 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 expanded to include more robust media and sites many found they required a faster internet service.
ISPs turned to cable and digital subscriber lines (DSLs) to provide speedier internet services. These methods are known as "broadband". Over time as internet services have improved, the measurement for what is considered broadband has evolved.
Currently, the FCC considers an internet service to be high speed broadband if it's got data download or upload speeds exceeding 768,000 bits per second (768 Kbps). The speed of your high speed internet may still vary based on several factors for example how much bandwidth you share with other consumers employing your ISP as well as your proximity to your internet service provider.
Those interested in high-speed internet can pick between cable internet, DSL internet, satellite internet, or fiber optic broadband internet services.
Wisconsin Cable High Speed Internet Services and Providers
Cable high speed internet services use a cable TV connection to supply subscribers with internet access. In order to make the connection there is a cable modem at the users end along with a cable modem termination system on the cable providers end. The length between the modem and termination system can be as much as 100 miles without any difficulties occurring.
Cable broadband internet can work at up to 30 Mbps, however some cable modems may restrict the volume of data being transmitted. Furthermore, when using cable high speed internet services you share bandwidth with other subscribers. The network monitor makes certain that bandwidth is distributed efficiently to ensure service doesn't slow down 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 major cable internet service providers throughout the majority of the country.
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.
Wisconsin DSL Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) high speed internet services transmit data utilizing 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 the other for high speed internet use.
DSL lines run from a central office out to subscribers. Typically this confines DSL distribution to a short distance of two miles from the central office, though some lines go up to 5 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 various other options because it is being delivered by a telephone line that often isn't shared.
Major DSL internet service providers include AT&T and Verizon. You can find DSL options from internet service providers in your city by entering your address in the box above.
Wisconsin Satellite Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Satellite broadband internet services employ orbiting satellites to capture and pass on broadband data between a satellite company and its subscribers. Although 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 about 1-2 seconds.
Despite the chance of short delays, satellite broadband internet is capable of delivering data at 5Mbps. Satellite internet is perfect for those wanting broadband internet in rural places where other internet services aren't available. AT&T and the Dish Network are both prominent providers of satellite broadband internet services.
See if satellite high speed internet services are available in your town by entering your address inside the box above.
Wisconsin Fiber Optic Broadband Internet Services and Providers
Fiber Optic is the newest and fastest approach to bring broadband internet into the home. Systems of fiber optic cables can deliver high speed 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 impacted by storms, static or noise.
For those looking for the fastest high speed broadband internet access fiber optic is the way to go. Fiber optic networks are well known for their ability to transmit data at rates as high as 50 Mbps.
Currently, Comcast and AT&T provide fiber optic/copper hybrid services but 100% fiber optic internet services are only available through Verizon FiOS. They began providing fiber optic internet services in 2006 and are continuously increasing their service areas.
See if fiber optic high speed 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.
