Before the adoption of fiber broadband by electric cooperatives, getting fast, reliable internet access on the outskirts of town was nearly impossible. Electric cooperatives across the country have taken the initiative to support their members by building out high-speed fiber networks in their service areas. As the world moves more online, these networks have become an essential factor in enhancing economic opportunity and quality of life in rural areas.
Key Takeaways
Fiber internet is widely considered the best internet service for rural areas. Because of its reliability, high speeds, low latency, and symmetrical uploads, fiber internet opens up career, education and entertainment opportunities to rural communities which may not have had access before. Research points to how this access enhances economic growth. Fiber networks are also more secure and constructed with the unique needs of rural communities in mind.
Table of Contents
- The best internet for rural areas
- Fiber internet increases opportunity for rural residents
- Why fiber broadband is the best internet for rural communities
- Fiber networks are the most secure
- Built with rural needs in mind—constructing fiber networks
Fiber internet increases opportunity for rural residents
Fiber internet is the fastest, most reliable internet connection in most rural areas. High-speed internet increases access to resources and entertainment that are not possible through a slower DSL or cable connection, including:
- Online education
- Telehealth
- Remote work
- Video conferencing
- Streaming
- Gaming
- Smart home devices
- Home security systems
Unimpeded access to these services isn’t just nice to have, it also increases job, education and health opportunities. Recent research shows that rural communities with fiber broadband experience higher income levels, more entrepreneurship, and increased business growth compared to those with basic broadband or no high-speed internet.
According to Andrea Gleason, Fiber Customer Service Team Leader at HomeWorks Connect, reliable internet has been game-changing for rural residents who want to work or run a business from a rural area. Features like symmetrical uploads and downloads make a huge difference in accessing resources such as Teams meetings and online classes. The difference in quality between HomeWorks Connect and a regular ISP is so significant that one customer told Andrea, “I have better internet service in the country than I did in the city.”
Why fiber broadband is the best internet for rural communities
- Reliability: Fiber optic cables are less susceptible to weather events and electromagnetic interference, allowing them to provide a more reliable internet connection than other providers.
- High Speeds and Symmetrical Performance: Fiber networks deliver internet at speeds up to 1 Gig, often providing the fastest speeds available in rural areas.
- Low Latency: Fiber networks provide low-latency internet that gives rural residents better access to video calls, telehealth, and remote learning than with cable or DSL networks.
- Unlimited Data: No data caps. The price you see is the price you pay, you can game, work, or stream as much as you want with HomeWorks Connect.
- Future-proof Fiber networks are ready to scale as technology improves. Once fiber has been delivered to your door, you’re ready for whatever the future of internet holds.
Fiber networks are the most secure
Fiber-optic cables are less susceptible to hacking and electromagnetic interference, making them a more secure choice for folks who are storing or sending sensitive data.
Fiber networks also give rural residents greater opportunities for securing their homes. Without neighbors nearby, you might want a little more peace of mind when you’re away.. With fiber internet, you can run a strong security system at your home and be able to check in any time.
Learn more about fiber internet security
Fiber broadband networks in rural areas can take some time to construct due to many factors, including distance between homes, difficult terrain, and intense or unpredictable weather patterns, but once the network is in place, homes and businesses are considered future-proof—or ready for the innovations to come.
Find out when fiber will be available in your neighborhood.
Built with rural needs in mind—constructing fiber networks
Rural areas are often overlooked by other internet service providers because rural terrain is challenging— there are often natural barriers that stand in the way of construction, and homes and businesses are spread out throughout the terrain. In short, all of that space and peace and quiet you love so much about living out here make it more costly and time consuming to build out fiber. That’s why electric cooperatives have taken matters into their own hands. Electric cooperatives created fiber broadband companies with the specific needs of rural customers in mind.
Read more about what it takes to build a fiber network
Are you ready for fast, reliable internet that enhances opportunity? Find out when fiber will be available in your neighborhood.