Rural internet providers: The most available ISPs for you
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Most available no-contract plan
Prices from
$60.00
per month
Speeds up to
245
Mbps
for 12 mos with Auto Pay.
Fastest unlimited plan
Best for satellite internet
Why trust our broadband experts
Allconnect’s team of broadband experts regularly reviews the top internet service providers in the U.S., scrutinizing each company under a rigorous scoring system to help our readers make informed internet purchases. We keep our data points accurate and up to date based on thorough research and partnership communications. Our content is not directed by partners. Visit our full methodology page and advertising disclosure to learn more.
ISPs and rural internet
The best internet for rural areas includes 5G, fixed wireless and satellite internet. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, nearly 46 million, or 14%, of American citizens live in rural communities. However, fewer rural internet options are available despite the many households that need high-speed internet in rural areas. The reason is that rural internet providers must weigh the cost of increased infrastructure that travels the distance between homes against the possibility of less profit since there are fewer people.
Still, the internet and home Wi-Fi are vital parts of everyday life for common activities such as searching for information, communicating, working or attending school remotely and more. Learn how to get internet in rural areas and discover rural internet providers near you by entering your address on this page.
Best rural internet providers
The following are several best internet providers that offer rural internet service.
- Hughesnet: Best cheap satellite
- Starlink: Fastest satellite speeds
- T-Mobile 5G: Most available no-contract plan
- Verizon 5G: Fastest unlimited plan
- Viasat: Cheapest equipment costs for satellite
Compare rural internet options
Provider | Speed (download/upload) | Starting price* | Connection type | |
---|---|---|---|---|
25–50 Mbps/3 Mbps | $49.99/mo. | Satellite | ||
25–200 Mbps/5–25 Mbps | $120/mo. | Satellite | Call to order: (877) 701-6907 | |
245 Mbps/32 Mbps | $50/mo. | 5G | ||
300–1,000 Mbps/10-50 Mbps | $50/mo. | 5G | ||
12–100 Mbps/3 Mbps | $64.99/mo. | Satellite | Call to order: (877) 701-6907 |
*Pricing per month plus taxes for length of contract. Additional fees and terms may apply. Pricing varies by location and availability. All prices subject to change at any time. May or may not be available based on service address. Price may include autopay and paperless billing discounts. Speeds may vary. As of 1/18/24.
Methodology
We rated the largest internet providers in the U.S. for 2024. Each provider was rated on a scale of 1 to 5 based on over a dozen factors, including speed, cost, availability, fees, customer satisfaction, connection type and more. We also used data from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to compare the average speed offered by internet companies in the U.S. to set a baseline for what is considered a good internet speed. Additionally, we analyzed data from the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) to understand how each internet service provider (ISP) fares in customer service and perceived value.
Rural internet breakdowns
Locate rural internet providers near you when you enter your address on this page. Find out more about the details of each provider here.
Hughesnet – Best cheap satellite
Overall score: 2.3 out of 5.
Read the full Hughesnet review.
Hughesnet is available virtually anywhere and is a common choice for cheap internet in rural areas. Hughesnet’s two standard satellite plans have speeds up to 25 Mbps. The only difference between the two plans is the amount of data (45 GB for $49.99/mo. or 75 GB for $64.99/mo.) Prices increase by $50 after the first year of the two-year contract. The early termination fee is a prorated $400.
Pros
Lowest starting price of any satellite internet service at $49.99/mo.
Cons
No download speeds above 50 Mbps with any Hughesnet plan.
Starlink – Fastest satellite speeds
Overall score: 3.2 out of 5.
Starlink is a newer satellite company but has already expanded its network to include nearly the entire country. Starlink offers faster speeds than the other two satellite companies, Viasat and Hughesnet. However, at $120/mo, its starting price is also double that of the other two providers. Starlink plans do not have contracts or early termination fees.
Pros
offers up to 200 Mbps, four times faster than Hughesnet and twice as fast as Viasat’s fastest plans.
Cons
Equipment costs are a large investment of $599 upfront, and you need to install it yourself or find an installer.
T-Mobile 5G – Most available no-contract plan
Overall score: 4.1 out of 5.
Read the full T-Mobile 5G review.
T-Mobile standard rate is $50/mo. so there are no unexpected price hikes, and you can get a further discount if you bundle with T-Mobile Wireless. T-Mobile advertises speeds up to 245 Mbps; however, your speed may be less (around 50 Mbps) in a rural neighborhood. T-Mobile 5G is a no-contract internet provider and has several other benefits, including unlimited data, free equipment and a 15-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
Coverage in parts of every state, and all plans are without contracts or early termination fees.
Cons
Rural areas that are further from a T-Mobile cell tower will get slower speeds.
Verizon 5G – Fastest unlimited plan
Overall score: 4 out of 5.
Read the full Verizon 5G review.
Verizon 5G is a fixed wireless service with two plan options. Verizon 5G Home is up to 300 Mbps for $50/mo. and Home Plus is up to 1 GB for $70/mo. and can be bundled with Verizon Wireless for a discounted price. Plans offer unlimited data and no contract, making Verizon 5G a good fit for rural homes that plan on streaming and gaming often.
Pros
Verizon 5G Home Plus can reach speeds of 1 GB, faster than any other rural internet provider on this list.
Cons
Availability is not as widespread as satellite options.
Viasat – Cheapest equipment costs for satellite
Overall score: 2.1 out of 5.
Viasat uses satellite technology to offer four internet plans at 12, 25, 50 or 100 Mbps. The faster speeds have higher data allowances. Viasat is generally available everywhere as long as you can install a satellite with a clear view of the southern sky. Rates start at $64.99, and prices increase by $20–$50/mo. after the three-month promotional period.
Pros
Modem rental is $9.99/mo. ($5 cheaper than Hughesnet) and installation is free for qualified customers (otherwise $99).
Cons
All plans include a two-year contract with an early termination fee.
How to get internet in rural areas
Since options for internet service providers can be more limited in rural areas, finding out which providers are available near you is priority number one. Once you know your options, you can narrow your search by budget, necessary speeds and data preferences. Enter your address to discover the rural internet service providers in your area.
- Budget: Your budget may need to be more flexible in a rural area because prices start at $50 and up. Rural internet tends to be more expensive because there are fewer customers, and building infrastructure can cost more.
- Data amount: A fixed wireless plan is best if you need unlimited internet for streaming and gaming. If only satellite internet providers are available, then Starlink is a good choice because it has unlimited data. However, all satellite providers may throttle your speeds if the network becomes too crowded. This intentional slowdown can happen with fixed wireless internet as well. Try these solutions if you need to fix slow internet or your Wi-Fi is not working.
- Internet speed: Speeds in rural areas are generally between 12 and 200 Mbps. Even the most basic plan is a good internet speed for streaming. Netflix and Hulu need 3 Mbps or less to stream in standard definition. Turn-based gaming can also work with rural internet, but real-time competitive gaming is not ideal because of slower response times. Email, browsing, reading and social media work fine on most rural internet services.
Which technology type should you look for?
- Cable: Rural areas that are on the edge of a suburban area often have access to cable internet. Cable internet usually has unlimited or very high data caps, so it is great for streaming, gaming and browsing on several devices.
- Fixed wireless: Some rural areas have internet providers that use cell towers or line-of-sight antennas to connect to a nearby satellite. Fixed wireless usually has unlimited data and costs around $50/mo. 5G home internet is a type of fixed wireless service that may also offer prepaid internet options.
- Satellite: For extremely rural communities, options will likely be limited to satellite. Satellite internet has a data allowance, and your ISP may throttle your speed if you exceed that amount. Satellite internet can be more costly because you cannot set up your own internet and installation and equipment charges add to the initial expenses.
- DSL: DSL runs on copper phone lines, another common technology type in rural communities. A copper connection is an older technology and may not be as well-maintained or updated. Still, DSL can be a good option for broadband in rural areas.
High-speed internet in rural areas
Compare these types of broadband for rural internet providers with high-speed internet. Cable and fixed wireless are the fastest connections. Satellite internet can get up to 200 Mbps, but the cost can be prohibitive. DSL speeds max out at 100 Mbps, and the speeds you get will depend on how far you are from the primary terminal. Type in your address on this page to find the best internet deals on the fastest rural internet near you.
Connection type | Typical speed range |
---|---|
Cable | 50–1,000 Mbps |
Fixed wireless | 30–1,000 Mbps |
Satellite | 12–200 Mbps |
DSL | 10–100 Mbps |
Rural internet FAQs
Can you get free internet in rural areas?
Check with your local ISPs to find out if there are any programs or discounts available in your area. You can also find cheap internet from Verizon 5G starting at $35/mo. when you bundle with a qualifying mobile plan.
Who has the best internet for rural areas?
5G providers like T-Mobile 5G and Verizon 5G provide fast and unlimited internet to many rural areas. These plans don’t charge extra for equipment or installation and can support several Wi-Fi devices at once.
Can you get cable in rural areas?
Yes. It is often possible to get cable internet in a rural area; however, finding rural fiber internet is less common. Enter your address on the page to find which cable provider offers internet to your rural home.
This content is produced through an alliance between USA TODAY and Allconnect.com. Under the alliance, Allconnect publishes articles about broadband-related topics upholding strict editorial integrity standards in line with USA TODAY’s Principles of Ethical Conduct. The opinions, analyses, reviews and recommendations expressed are those of the Allconnect editorial staff alone. The information is believed to be accurate as of the publish date, but always check the provider’s website for the most current information. Read more about our Allconnect Advertising Disclosure.
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