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‘Yes, Mom, I’ve finally moved to my new apartment. The neighborhood seems peaceful, and the people here are super-friendly. There is, however, one major problem: I can’t find many internet options near me, and I am panicking.’
I heard a girl saying this to her mom over the phone at the supermarket, and it reminded me of the time when I was in the same boat.
The Backstory
I moved to Iowa two years ago because of a job opportunity. The first thing I did after setting up my apartment was check which internet service providers (ISPs) were available in my area. As a heavy internet user, having a high-speed connection was crucial.
I entered my zip code in a free search tool, but to my surprise, only three ISPs were present near me. Looking at that brief list gave me goosebumps, and I felt like my whole digital world was about to fall apart.
Why was I being so dramatic, you might ask?
Well, that’s because I’m always on a budget. I have specific preferences and requirements when it comes to selecting an internet service provider (ISP). So, having very few options just added more pressure. I took deep breaths and got into the depths of this matter.
Want to know what I found out?
Continue reading this blog to learn why there might not be many viable internet options near you.
What are the Reasons behind Limited Internet Availability?
Keep in mind that not all ISPs are widely available. And there can be several reasons that limit their availability, some of which I’ve mentioned below:
Competition
ISPs operating in rural areas sometimes find it difficult to enter big cities or towns. They fear that the ISPs currently operating in those areas are already very popular among the people, and competing against them would be a big task. So, they drop the idea of expanding into new areas.
Physical landscape
Internet connection types like fiber and cable transmit signals through fiber optic and coaxial cables, respectively. Installing these cables in mountainous regions is always challenging, requiring extra labor, special tools, expensive processes, and longer installation times. This is one of the reasons why ISPs avoid operating in rough terrain and hilly areas.
Population density
The cost of laying wired infrastructure is super high, which is why ISPs carefully study the population density of an area before actually putting in the effort and money to offer their services there. They calculate the installation costs and compare them with the number of potential customers. Because of all these reasons, ISPs avoid extending their services into low-population segments.
How can you look for Internet Providers in your Area?
Finding the internet options near you isn’t very complicated. You can do so by:
- Entering your area’s zip code in a free search tool or the FCC’s search tool
- Reaching out to your building’s property manager if you’ve moved to a new apartment
Contacting the property manager is a smart approach, mainly because building owners usually sign exclusive contracts with certain internet providers. By learning about the ISPs serving your building, you’ll save a lot of time and be able to easily select the ISP that matches your online needs.
How can you find Internet Providers in Rural Areas?
This is the second question that popped into my head when I moved to Iowa.
Iowa is thought to be a rural state. I knew that rural areas don’t have enough resources to attract prominent ISPs. Also, like we’ve discussed before, they prefer not to invest in regions with lower population density.
My cousins (who already lived in Iowa) had warned me about this, but I still found myself panicking at the thought of not being able to find a steady internet connection. I had even started planning to go back to my hometown, but then my colleagues introduced me to satellite internet providers.
This is what one of them said:
‘Satellite internet is available throughout Iowa, and I know a few providers that offer faster connections with increased reliability. So, stop worrying about finding the right ISP and delete that resignation letter.’
His response restored my strength, and I asked him to recommend a few satellite providers that could support my online activities. This is what he suggested:
- Stated speeds are not guaranteed.
- Speeds are "up to," are not guaranteed and will vary.
Both Viasat and Hughesnet were ideal options for me because they offered reliable internet plans with unlimited data. Luckily, my apartment building already had a satellite dish installed, so all I had to do was:
- Contact the customer support representatives of both providers
- Tell them about my budget and internet speed requirements
- Learn about their internet plans
- And finally, pick my dream satellite ISPc
The process was a bit intimidating, but my advice to all you internet enthusiasts worried about finding your ideal ISP with limited options available is to:
- Never lose hope
- Consult people living in your neighborhood
- Talk to internet experts
- Do as much research as you can
You will find the best internet option for you even against all the odds. You’ve got this!
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter what internet provider I choose?
Yes, investing in a high-speed and reliable internet provider is very important because you need the internet to support all your online activities. Always make sure to consider the following factors when selecting an ISP:
- Internet speeds
- Connection type
- Reliability percentage
- Customer support
- Number of plans
- Overall cost
How do I check which internet service provider is available in my area?
To check the best internet options near you, simply enter your area’s zip code in the free search tool provided by LocalCableDeals.
