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Rural internet is home internet service designed for addresses outside major cities, where traditional cable and fiber networks often do not reach. Instead, rural providers use technologies like 5G home internet, satellite, DSL, and fixed wireless to connect remote homes. The best option depends on what is available at your exact address, your speed needs, and your budget.
Rural internet refers to providers and connection types built for remote addresses where metro networks don’t reach.
The most common rural choices are satellite, DSL, and fixed wireless.
Satellite is available almost anywhere, but weather and equipment can affect performance. Starlink, a low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet provider offers lower latency and faster speeds, but at higher cost. Geostationary earth orbit (GEO) providers like HughesNet and Viasat, are more affordable, but speeds are slower with higher latency.
5G home internet is becoming a bigger rural contender because it’s faster to deploy and can be cheaper.
Set expectations: rural internet plans are limited by availability and can be slower and may have data caps.
Rural internet is best for those living in remote areas with limited options and availability. It may be challenging to find reliable, high-speed internet providers when you’re far from the city, but there are more options than you might think. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), over 99% of people in the US have access to at least 2 providers near them.
If you live in a rural area, your likely choices include satellite, DSL, and fixed wireless internet. These types of internet have improved a lot over the years, with several ISPs offering plans with unlimited data, no-contract options, and remote availability. Compare top rural providers below to see what’s right for you.
| Provider | Type of Internet* | Starting Price* | Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Data Caps | Find Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EarthLink | Fixed wireless (4G/5G home), satellite in hard-to-reach areas | $39.95/mo | Up to 100+ / 50 | Yes on most plans; some unlimited | Check Availability |
| Starlink | Low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite | $40/mo | Up to 220 / 20 | No hard data caps (unlimited data) | Check Availability |
| Verizon | 5G & 4G LTE fixed wireless home internet | $35/mo | Up to 300 / 20 | Unlimited data | Check Availability |
| T-Mobile | 5G fixed wireless home internet | $35/mo | Up to 500 / 50 | Unlimited data | Check Availability |
| Viasat | Geostationary satellite | $39.99/mo (promo) | Up to 150 / 7 | Soft data caps; some “no cap” plans | Check Availability |
| HughesNet | Geostationary satellite | $39.99/mo | Up to 100 / 5 | Soft caps (priority data; unlimited standard data) | Check Availability |
| CenturyLink | DSL or fixed wireless (varies by location) | From $55/mo | Up to 100 / 10 | No data caps on most plans | Check Availability |
| Frontier | DSL and fiber in some rural buildouts | From $29.99/mo | Fiber: up to 500 / up to 500 (where available) | No data caps | Check Availability |
| Windstream | DSL and fiber in some rural areas | $24.99/mo | Fiber: up to 300 / — (higher tiers available) | No data caps | Check Availability |
| Provider | EarthLink |
|---|---|
| Type of Internet* | Fixed wireless (4G/5G home), satellite in hard-to-reach areas |
| Starting Price* | $39.95/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 100+ / 50 |
| Data Caps | Yes on most plans; some unlimited |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | Starlink |
| Type of Internet* | Low-Earth-orbit (LEO) satellite |
| Starting Price* | $40/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 220 / 20 |
| Data Caps | No hard data caps (unlimited data) |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | Verizon |
| Type of Internet* | 5G & 4G LTE fixed wireless home internet |
| Starting Price* | $35/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 300 / 20 |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | T-Mobile |
| Type of Internet* | 5G fixed wireless home internet |
| Starting Price* | $35/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 500 / 50 |
| Data Caps | Unlimited data |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | Viasat |
| Type of Internet* | Geostationary satellite |
| Starting Price* | $39.99/mo (promo) |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 150 / 7 |
| Data Caps | Soft data caps; some âno capâ plans |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | HughesNet |
| Type of Internet* | Geostationary satellite |
| Starting Price* | $39.99/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 100 / 5 |
| Data Caps | Soft caps (priority data; unlimited standard data) |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | CenturyLink |
| Type of Internet* | DSL or fixed wireless (varies by location) |
| Starting Price* | From $55/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Up to 100 / 10 |
| Data Caps | No data caps on most plans |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | Frontier |
| Type of Internet* | DSL and fiber in some rural buildouts |
| Starting Price* | From $29.99/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Fiber: up to 500 / up to 500 (where available) |
| Data Caps | No data caps |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
| Provider | Windstream |
| Type of Internet* | DSL and fiber in some rural areas |
| Starting Price* | $24.99/mo |
| Download / Upload (Mbps)** | Fiber: up to 300 / â (higher tiers available) |
| Data Caps | No data caps |
| Find Plan | Check Availability |
Finding reliable, high-speed rural internet options can be challenging. Many areas only have access to 1-2 types of internet or providers. Satellite internet is almost always an option in remote locations, with Starlink offering the fastest speeds, but also higher prices. 5G home internet is becoming a viable option for many rural areas, as deployment is efficient and costs are low. Enter your ZIP code here to find the best rural internet in your area.
Rural internet falls a bit short regarding overall speeds and data caps, but its low costs and the wide availability of satellite internet make up for what it lacks. Below are the most common types of rural internet:
DSL uses pre-existing cable lines to deliver internet service to homes. DSL offers fast speeds and protection against harsh weather.
Satellite internet is available virtually anywhere. Providers like HughesNet and Viasat offer competitive rates and unlimited data.
Fixed wireless is less common, but those with access benefit from lower latency and decent data rates.
Rural internet is getting better, but progress is happening on two different tracks: affordability and availability.
Affordability after ACP ended. The federal Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) ran out of funding and ended effective June 1, 2024, which means households no longer receive that monthly discount. As of mid-2025, Congress’s research arm noted there isn’t a single program that fully replaces ACP. If cost is the biggest barrier, it’s still worth checking other options, such as the FCC’s Lifeline benefit and any provider or state/local low-income plans available in your area.
Availability through BEAD buildouts. The biggest long-term fix for rural connectivity is infrastructure, and that’s where BEAD (Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment) comes in. BEAD is a $42.45 billion federal program to fund new broadband builds so that unserved and underserved areas can get reliable high-speed internet. As of December 19, 2025, NTIA reports that most states and territories have submitted final plans and many have already been approved – an important step before large-scale construction awards roll out.
How BEAD helps bridge the digital divide. Digital divide refers to the gap between people who can get and afford quality internet and those who can’t. BEAD addresses that gap by:
What rural residents can do now. Keep checking availability, watch your state broadband office for BEAD project announcements, and compare low-cost plan options where offered, especially if your bill increased when the ACP ended.
Between hidden fees and price hikes, finding the right internet providers can feel overwhelming. To help with your search, our team of internet experts evaluates ISPs on categories including performance, affordability, and customer satisfaction to provide you with the best options near you.
DSL internet and satellite internet offer comparable speeds. Both can deliver speeds up to 100 Mbps, however, DSL is usually more reliable than satellite for its grounded wire technology. Satellite internet is susceptible to service interruptions due to bad weather or faulty equipment, while DSL runs along grounded telephone lines that are protected from the elements.
If you decide to go with satellite internet, you may be able to get speeds from 25 Mbps to 150 Mbps in speeds. These speeds can support low to moderate internet usage like web browsing and occasional streaming. However, everyone’s needs are unique. The speeds you need will depend on your lifestyle.
Yes. DSL, satellite, and dial-up internet are the most common options in the country. DSL typically offers better data allowances, but Satellite internet is also an excellent option for broadband internet for rural areas thanks to its wide availability.
There are many reasons why your internet might be slow – location aside. Check out our guide on reasons for slow internet and how to fix them.
If you’re still not finding what you’re looking for, don’t worry. Here are a few alternative options for rural broadband you can also consider exploring.
The best rural internet option depends on what’s available at your address and your visibility (for satellite and fixed wireless internet). Enter your ZIP code in our provider search tool to see what is available in your area and to compare plans.
Can I get 5G home internet in my area?
