The 5 Best Internet Providers and Their Plans for Rural Areas: How to Get the Best Internet in Subpar Conditions 

Comparing internet service providers in rural areas is still a headache, even with limited options to those in urban ones. Therefore, we collated and compared each internet provider according to their services, rates, and plans to help you determine which is the best internet provider in remote areas.

Here are the top 5 best internet providers and their plans in rural areas:

1. ViaSat

Viasat is one of the best rural satellite internet providers since it offers a variety of plans and provides faster download speeds. For example, you may stream videos on several devices while accessing the internet at the same time with a download speed of up to 100 Mbps.

ViaSat Internet Plans

PROS

• Higher download speed
• Widely accessible

CONS

• Expensive
• Spotty performance

2. CenturyLink

CenturyLink is the most reliable rural internet service provider that offers DSL internet access. It has lower monthly pricing and faster download speeds than the competition. Additionally, it is widely available.

CenturyLink Internet Plans

PROS

• Zero contracts
• Low monthly rates

 CONS

• Weak signal over long distances
• Limited accessibility in remote locations

3. Xfinity

Xfinity is one of the internet service providers in remote areas with the most coverage. Xfinity, unlike other carriers, uses cable internet. The cable internet’s main problem is that its data does not travel vast distances.

Xfinity Internet Plans:

 PROS

• Higher speed
• Lower monthly rates

 CONS

• Poor signal within long distance
• Limited accessibility in remote areas

4. Verizon Wireless

Verizon lets you connect your mobile to the internet using any WiFi-enabled device. RootMetrics or OpenSignal provide better coverage. It comes with two wireless internet plans: the Beyond Unlimited plan provides 15 GB of data (4G LTE), while the Above Unlimited plan provides 20 GB of data (4LTE). Both subscriptions offer download speeds of above 15 Mbps.

Verizon Wireless Internet Plans

 PROS

• 4G LTE Speeds
• Wi-Fi everywhere

 CONS

• Lower data caps
• Inadequate coverage

5. HughesNet Gen5

With 25 Mbps on all tiers, HughesNet Gen5 provides faster internet in rural areas. In addition, it delivers the best internet value because it offers high-speed internet at a lower cost.

HughesNet Gen5 Internet Plans

 PROS

• HughesNet offers satellite internet connections to several communication service clients.
• Same plans are available in all US regions
• 50 GB/mo of additional bandwidth during off-peak hours (2 am-8 am)

 CONS

• Has a costly cancellation fee
• Doesn’t provide unlimited plans
• The internet speed fluctuates depending on the weather.

Final Word

Among the options on this list, Viasat is the best option. It’s because it has the fastest download speed of 100 Mbps, which allows you to stream HD videos or have multiple people utilize the internet simultaneously.

It also offers a variety of plans with different speeds, data caps, and pricing. It provides you with several possibilities from which to choose the one that best suits your requirements.

Unfortunately, while city dwellers are whining about the slow fiber-optic rollout, rural residents are desperate for any internet connection that works properly and does not cost an arm and a leg.

While 5G cellular is expected to arrive soon, the wait is usually too long. You’ll be able to surf the internet at high speeds using the rural internet connection alternatives described in this post. Check them to see what works best for you.