Internet Access: Alternatives To Cable Service

Cable is one of the most common utilities that is used to deliver the Internet, phone, and television. However, there are some homeowners who are concerned about whether they should be so reliant on cable and there are fortunately other alternatives to cable Internet.

Fiber Optic Cable

Fiber optic cable has been used for decades because of the amount of data that it can carry compared with copper wires. However, the fiber pipe does not extend into your home and must instead be connected to a copper line for the last mile. This can lead to your bandwidth being constricted somewhat. The good news is that some companies are now extending the fiber optic cable all the way into the home if the resident lives in the right neighborhood. This can lead to much faster download and upload speeds.

DSL

Rural areas sometimes do not provide access to cable Internet and it may instead be necessary to purchase DSL Internet. Because you are not sharing your Internet with your neighbors, your Internet speed should be consistent throughout the day. In contrast, those who are sharing cable Internet might see a noticeable drop when neighbors are home from work and logging onto the Internet. Also, DSL is  considered a better option for gamers because there is less latency. However, it is not ideal for those who engage in frequent, heavy downloading. 

Satellite

Receiving Internet through a satellite is still an option for consumers regardless of where they live. The satellite is generally more expensive than using cable, but simply having another option is good enough for those who wish to remain free from cable and would like some leverage when negotiating for a better deal with a cable company.

4G And WiMax

For those who live in very remote towns, cable is simply not a feasible option because the cost of running so much cable simply is not economically sensible. 4G is a common way to access Internet, for those who live in remote locations and who are frequent travelers, because Internet service comes from a cell phone tower. However, 4G also places limits on how much data can be downloaded and uploaded. Going over the data limit can force customers to purchase more data. WiMax is an option that is an alternative to 4G and is becoming less expensive. It relies on mobile carrier towers. The great news is that new options are always being developed.

For more information, talk to a professional like Bogner  Construction Co.