The dawn of COVID 19 summons for remote work era! Remote work refers to any job that an employee does out of the office. Examples might include software development, customer service, copywriting and recruitment. Remote work is the practice of employees doing their jobs from a location other than a central office operated by the employer. The long-term popularity of remote working is tied to the upsides it can provide, including reduced or eliminated commuting times, recruiting and hiring advantages, and productivity improvements.
Remote work has become increasingly popular because it offers benefits for both employers and employees alike. Thanks to tools like Wi-Fi, VPN, video conferencing software, file sharing platforms, VoIP, Cloud and telework management technology employees can put in their efforts remotely from everywhere. Such locations could include an employee’s home, a co-working or other shared space, a private office, or any other place outside of the traditional corporate office building or campus.
Working from home often involves activities like video conferencing, large file uploads and downloads, and real-time collaboration on cloud-based platforms. For remote workers, a high-speed internet for rural areas is essential to maintain productivity and stay connected with colleagues and clients.
High internet speed for rural areas promises higher upload and download speeds. This saves time and money since the work gets done quickly and only needs a few external resources to increase the speed.
Having the best internet speed to work from home, which means faster internet, allows several people can access the internet without any hindrance to the original bandwidth capacity. If you are home, you can be on your office conference calls, and your family can stream a movie in HD, and nothing would affect your call due to the larger bandwidth.
Usually, work files take more storage on your system, which you must often transfer to the cloud for the future. For instance, with fiber internet – considered one of the best internet solutions for remote work – backing up your data and uploading it to cloud storage is easy and quick, saving you valuable time.
While the shift to remote work has brought new found flexibility, it has also highlighted the importance of a reliable internet connection. In rural areas of the United States, where the internet infrastructure can be less developed, selecting the best internet service for remote work is paramount for a productive remote work experience.
Let’s have a sneak peek into the key factors to consider.
Unfortunately, this is the biggest deciding factor in rural areas. Depending on where you live, your choices may include fiber optic, DSL, cable or cellular connections, all of which can provide high-speed internet for remote work under the right conditions.
Despite some rural locations now seeing fiber internet service becoming available, many places still must choose from a satellite, DSL, cable or cellular network connection. A surprising number of businesses and homeowners have just a few options, usually one of which is a satellite internet option and either some type of broadband (AT&T, Comcast, Aeneas Xfinity, etc.) or 4G-LTE network (which can be surprisingly good with the right equipment and plan).
When electronic signals must travel through a wire, such as in a DSL or cable internet connection, slower signals can result from having to cover long distances. Not only does latency increase over distance, but the signal strength can also suffer.
If your only option is wired service, find a provider with services as physically near you as possible. The exception to this is fiber optic internet connections, which are (more or less) immune to many of the usual pitfalls of standard wired service.
You must ensure to have sufficient internet speed to work from home without disruptions, even when demand is at its highest. To some customers, speed is the most important factor when determining an ISP.
This is completely based on location and what’s offered to you as a business or consumer. The number you are looking at when comparing plans is called the “Bandwidth”. Bandwidth is simply the volume of information per unit of time that the transmission medium can sustain. Some customers get lucky and have access to fiber connections with of over 1000 Megabits (Mbps) per second while some rural businesses are stuck on 3 to 6Mbps DSL connections.
Aim for an ISP that offers symmetrical or near-symmetrical speeds. Symmetrical speeds ensure efficient data transfer in both directions, crucial for video conferencing and file sharing. Don’t forget to check for data caps or throttling policies, as they can hinder your ability to work if you exceed your data limit.
Reliability is likely the biggest factor, especially for business customers. Having an unreliable internet is stressful and counterproductive.
Regardless of how good the connection is, something will one day go wrong. Whether it’s dying hardware or a physically damaged line, it’s extremely likely there will be issues one day.
Good customer service is a measure of how fast they can help get you back up and running. Most businesses can’t wait several days for new hardware to be shipped to them. They require a higher level of service and a good service provider understands that. It’s wise to consider an ISP that offers a Service Level Agreement (SLA). SLA’s are service contracts that specifically state how reliable the connection should be.
Living in a rural area has its perks. It also has some challenges one of which is finding the best internet for working from home that’s not only reliable but also fast enough to be practical. Let’s discuss the types of internet services available for rural remote workers, and discuss some reliable providers as well.
DSL, short for Digital Subscriber Line, is a widely available and affordable option in many regions. It’s suitable for basic remote work tasks. However, its speed may vary depending on your proximity to the service provider. Additionally, it might not provide enough bandwidth for data-intensive tasks.
CenturyLink Internet provides DSL and some fiber optic cable connectivity. The company offers download speeds up to 25Mbps and upload speeds of 3Mbps largely spanning suburban and rural areas across 16 states.– while some may be eligible for max download speeds of 60, 80 or 100Mbps.DIY equipment setup is an option, and using your own compatible equipment may be possible. However, CenturyLink recommends professional installation and its own equipment for fiber connections.
Cable internet offers high-speed connectivity, ideal for most remote work needs. It’s reliable and accessible in urban and suburban areas. Nevertheless, during peak usage times, speed can decrease, and availability is limited in rural regions.
Comcast Xfinity offers numerous cable connection plans to urban and rural customers. Depending on location, you can choose from up to seven individual plans with download speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 1.2 Gbps. Xfinity pairs well with smart home devices. Customers in a lucky few areas can enjoy fiber optic connectivity.
Fiber optic internet boasts ultra-fast speeds and minimal latency, making it perfect for demanding remote work tasks such as video conferencing and large file transfers. However, its availability is generally limited to urban and suburban areas.
AT&T is at the forefront of bridging the digital divide in rural America by extending its extensive fiber optic network to previously underserved regions.AT&T Fiber plans provide high bandwidth, allowing for multiple devices to connect simultaneously without experiencing significant slowdowns or buffering. Download speeds with AT&T Fiber plans can range from 100 Mbps to 5 Gbps (gigabits per second).
Satellite internet is the go-to choice for remote and rural areas. It doesn’t rely on ground infrastructure, making it accessible in isolated regions. However, it tends to offer slower speeds and higher latency compared to other options. It’s also susceptible to weather-related disruptions.
HughesNet provides every state nationwide with nearly unlimited internet connectivity using satellite connections. While the download speeds are limited to the capabilities of satellites, they can reach 50 Mbps, which is plenty for up to four people (or six devices). However, a HughesNet connection won’t likely be fast enough for serious gaming requirements.
4G and 5G mobile internet are ideal for rural areas, providing fast data connections. They are versatile, catering to both remote work and personal use. However, they often come with limited data allowances and potential signal fluctuations.
Nomad can provide an internet connection with wire-free connectivity anywhere a cell phone works and 4G and 5G cellular connectivity is possible depending on your location and proximity to a Verizon cell tower. While Nomad can provide coverage in many rural areas nationwide, with download speeds hovering between 70 and 245 Mbps.
The flexibility of remote work has inspired many to dream of living in rural areas while working remotely. One of the major obstacles to implementing remote work in rural locations is it dependability on secure and reliable high-speed Internet to work from home. WaveNet’s unlimited 4G rural internet solution is the key to bridging the digital divide in rural communities.
WaveNet delivers lightning-fast speeds to rural communities, ensuring a seamless online experience for all users. With speeds surpassing 100+ Mbps, WaveNet enables smooth streaming, fast downloads, and effortless browsing, even in remote areas. Say goodbye to slow connections and embrace the power of pocket friendly, high-speed wireless mobile broadband with WaveNet.
Working from home in rural America is entirely possible with the best internet for remote work. Whether you opt for satellite internet, fixed wireless, or mobile hotspots, a reliable and high-speed connection is within reach. Evaluate your specific needs, budget, and location to make an informed decision. As technology continues to advance and infrastructure expands, remote work in rural areas will only become more accessible and efficient. Your ideal remote work setup may be just a few clicks away.
I'm incredibly satisfied with WaveNet. Their connection has been consistently reliable, with excellent speeds, and their customer support team has been prompt and helpful whenever I've needed assistance. I highly recommend their service
