DSL vs. Satellite Internet: Which is Better for Rural Areas?

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David

Tuesday, 21 January 2025

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Internet technology has come a long way during the past few decades. There was a time when dial-up internet was the only way to get online, and the maximum speed delivered by it was 56 kilobits per second (kbps). Today, it’s possible to get up to 8 gigabits per second (Gbps) for residential use!

Learn more about the Internet Revolution:
The History of the Internet - From Dial-Up to Fiber Optics

Although high-speed broadband is widely available in urban areas, many rural residents are less fortunate. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and Satellite internet are popular rural internet options. While they’re not as fast as cable or fiber internet, they still represent a major upgrade from dial-up.

DSL vs Satellite Internet

Living in a rural or remote region of America, Satellite or DSL internet can keep you connected to the rest of the world. Let’s discuss both options to help you decide which is better for your internet needs.

Satellite Internet for Rural Areas

Satellite internet works by transmitting signals between satellites orbiting the earth and dish antennas installed on our properties. To get a good signal, the dish needs to be correctly aligned, which is why calling in a trained professional is a must.

Satellite Internet for Rural Areas

Since satellite internet operates on a wireless mechanism, the performance is significantly affected by weather conditions and physical obstacles like trees and mountains. An unobstructed line of sight can ensure decent connectivity. To conclude, if you see clear skies for miles in all directions, satellite internet should work nicely.

Top Satellite Internet Providers

There are a handful of satellite internet providers to choose from across the United States, but Hughesnet and Viasat are our top picks.

checked icon Widely available in rural America

checked icon Speeds up to 100 Mbps*

checked icon Promotions keep rolling throughout the year

checked icon All customers get a Wi-Fi Modem with Wi-Fi 6 technology

*Stated speeds are not guaranteed.

checked icon Speeds up to 150 Mbps*

checked icon Unlimited Data

checked icon Country-wide accessibility

checked icon No contract required

*Speeds are "up to," are not guaranteed and will vary.

What are the Pros and Cons of getting Satellite Internet?

pros Pros

cons Cons

  • Relatively expensive (equipment + installation is costly)
  • High latency (as signals have to travel from earth to space and back)
  • Unreliable due to interference by weather and physical objects

DSL Internet for Rural Areas

DSL is known as the earliest form of broadband internet, i.e. the first to replace the slow and tedious dial-up connection. Even though DSL too requires a phone line, it utilizes different frequencies so you can use the phone and internet (on multiple devices) simultaneously.

DSL Internet for Rural Areas

Most households in rural areas have a landline, so DSL internet is widely accessible and affordable. Setting up a DSL network is pretty straightforward, which is why hiring a professional is optional. Compared to satellite internet, the DSL connection is much more stable and consistent performance-wise.

Top DSL Internet Providers

Cable and fiber internet have almost entirely replaced DSL in urban areas, but several ISPs including Frontier and Ziply Fiber are providing DSL services to rural/remote areas.

checked icon Download speeds up to 115 Mbps

checked icon Widespread availability in rural areas

checked icon No data caps

checked icon Great Deals & Promotions

checked icon No-contract plans

checked icon 30-day money-back guarantee

checked icon Competitive rates

checked icon Superb phone services

What are the Pros and Cons of getting DSL Internet?

pros Pros

  • Economical
  • Easy to install
  • Low latency (10-70ms) makes it suitable for real-time interactions like video calling
  • Consistent performance

cons Cons

  • All landline service providers do not offer DSL, so availability is limited
  • The greater the distance from the access point (ISP), the slower the speed
  • Average DSL speeds are below 50 Mbps

Satellite vs. DSL Internet: Detailed Comparison

Satellite Internet

Speed
Satellite internet can achieve speeds up to 200 Mbps (or slightly more), although the average is 100 Mbps or less.
Moreover, speeds fluctuate greatly due to interference caused by bad weather conditions and other physical barriers.

Latency
The latency of satellite internet is normally more than 500ms, which is quite high. It can be as much as 1200ms, which makes it unsuitable for online activities involving real-time interactions, such as multiplayer gaming.
The high latency is due to the long distance that data signals have to travel, i.e. from land to satellites orbiting the earth and back.

Availability
No other internet service can beat satellite internet in terms of availability, as it is virtually everywhere.
Satellite internet is best suited for rural neighborhoods that don’t have access to wired broadband.

Pricing
Satellite internet is an expensive technology; thus, internet plans are pricier than those of traditional connection types.

Equipment & Installation
Satellite internet requires a bulky dish antenna to be properly mounted on your property; hence, professional installation is unavoidable.
Equipment and installation of satellite internet is more expensive than that of conventional internet types.

DSL Internet

Speed
DSL internet normally delivers speeds up to 100 Mbps but might offer more, depending on your location and ISP.
DSL is capable of providing consistent speeds and is not affected by external factors unless its physical infrastructure is damaged.

Latency
DSL qualifies as a wired broadband connection, so latency or ping rate is relatively low. Typically, latency below 100ms can support all data-heavy applications without noticeable lag.
The latency range for DSL is 10-70ms, which is acceptable for online gaming, streaming, etc. However, the low bandwidth and speed limit tends to be its shortfall.

Availability
DSL internet is mostly obsolete in urban areas where cable and/or fiber internet are readily available.
The availability of DSL in rural regions is also limited, as not all phone line providers offer the service.

Pricing
DSL internet is generally a cheap service, but prices vary by location. The cost for high-speed DSL and satellite internet can be similar in some places.

Equipment & Installation
DSL internet is normally set up using an existing landline. The phone cable is split to offer phone and internet service at the same time.
The DSL network comprises traditional internet equipment (modem and router); installation requires minimum technical knowledge, so you can do it yourself.

when do you choose satellite internet over dsl

Frequently Asked Questions

DSL is typically cheaper and more reliable. It also offers lower latency, which makes it a better option. On the other hand, satellite internet wins in terms of widespread availability.

Satellite internet is considered the best for rural connectivity because it is available in all rural and remote areas.

High latency and weather sensitivity are the major issues while using satellite internet.

Cable and Fiber internet providers do not expand their infrastructure to rural areas due to potentially low return on investment (ROI); most rural areas are scarcely populated, so they cannot generate sufficient revenue.