Technology

How to Get Low-Latency Internet for Rural Areas

If you reside in rural America, you will quickly become familiar with the sparse Internet coverage epidemic in many rural towns. Because many mainstream Internet providers choose not to do business in areas with lower populations, there are a set of common alternatives for rural Internet.

The most popular companies providing Internet for rural areas are satellite Internet service providers. Companies such as Xfinity, Viasat, and Starlink have been carrying the torch for rural Internet service providers in underserved areas of the country. On the surface, satellite Internet seems like the most impressive rural Internet option because of its use of advanced technology, relatively high speeds, and worldwide coverage. However, even the best satellite Internet service providers will be lacking in one crucial area for some users.

Because of the astronomically far distances that Internet signals have to travel from satellites to your receiver at home, satellite internet has historically been plagued by high levels of latency. Delayed transfers of data can cause major issues for rural residents who use the Internet for rural gaming or remote work. While online gaming, latency can lead to missed inputs, hampered decision making, and higher levels of stress while playing. Latency can interfere with your ability to achieve victory and help your team win matches. During remote work, latency can prevent you from working effectively with your team members and communicating with customers.

Fortunately, mobile Internet providers such as UbiFi provide unlimited 4G rural Internet access with low latency. Companies like UbiFi provide Internet signals through the cell towers strewn throughout rural America, creating a shorter distance between signals and receivers. UbiFi also does not use data caps, helping customers avoid expensive data fees charged by satellite Internet providers.