Where Can I Find Affordable Internet for Remote Work In Rural Areas?

You have achieved your dream of working from home. Now, all you have to do is set up a reliable work station with high-quality tech and internet. Unfortunately, rural residents will find this more challenging than urbanites.

There are fewer companies and plan options nearby. Additionally, infrastructure is not as prevalent in less-populated regions. The internet service providers (ISPs) could use the lack of competition to make access more expensive. Thankfully, ISPs are focusing on fair products for people who live in the country. Where can you find affordable internet for remote work in rural areas?

What Is Considered Affordable Internet?

What is considered affordable depends on your needs and budget. You could be willing to pay more for high speeds if necessary for your work, or the cheapest plan available could be nonnegotiable. Several influences impact internet costs, especially in rural areas. These are the most influential metrics:

• Brand: The provider name may be known for luxury or affordable plans.
• Speed: Greater speeds come with higher price tags.
• Equipment: Adding rental equipment to the bill can exponentially increase the overall price for internet.
• Promotions: Shops can offer yearlong deals for signing up, discounts for bundled services, or cheaper plans based on income or profession.
• Connection type: DSL, cable, satellite, fiber, among others, all have different values.

U.S. rural areas are also more likely to have the slowest internet speeds. States like West Virginia and Montana have the worst performance, where prices outside of metro areas could account for:

• 38% of monthly income for fixed wireless.
• 15% of monthly income for DSL.
• 32% of monthly income for satellite.

These regions rarely have fiber connectivity, and sometimes lack cable. Even these higher-speed, more advanced options cost urban dwellers 1.22% or less of their monthly earnings.

However, when distilled into a single number, an average American pays around $77 per month for internet access. The number considers all connection types in rural and urban areas. These numbers are too costly for many, so cheaper options are crucial for transitioning to the remote work lifestyle.

1. Point Broadband

Finding fiber internet away from the city is uncommon, but Point Broadband makes this a reality. Never see a buffering signal again because Point Broadband’s connections promise to have 25 times the speed of conventional cable.

Download and upload speeds are symmetrical, so there is never a discrepancy between the internet’s abilities and your expectations. It is also one of the most affordable for its quality, starting at $59 per month to get 300 Mbps speeds. If you want wireless, Point’s Air Connect plan has fiber-fed connectivity that is better than DSL.

The company helps customers get out of other agreements with its contract relief program. Customers receive a $200 credit after taking advantage of this deal to encourage a smooth transition between ISPs. The business always expands into new areas, so keep an eye out to see if you can get one of the best speeds for the price from Point.

2. HughesNet

HughesNet is one of the most prevalent names in rural internet access. It is one of the companies with the widest coverage of rural communities in the U.S. It has been a rural staple. Still, it has innovated in the last several years by adding new plans at higher speeds for a reasonably competitive price.

It has two satellite plans and one combination satellite-wireless option, achieving lower latencies. They reach 50 and 100 Mbps, respectively, with unlimited standard data. They start at just $49.99, and the hybrid plan costs $94.99.

One of the best features of HughesNet is its video data saver when streaming. Those working remotely who need to participate in many video calls or trainings could benefit greatly. It cuts down on the bandwidth required while still letting you be in calls.

3. T-Mobile

Another competitive name in the rural internet space is T-Mobile. There are fewer wired and wireless options with as much national permeance. Some of the plans even offer free equipment, depending on the terms. The versatility of the plans is one of the best qualities about T-Mobile, allowing it to be the one-stop shop for all their technology needs.

T-Mobile offers tons of bundled plan options, which may help drive down the costs of other bills, like phone or cable. This could allow work-from-home employees to invest more in internet speeds if they can cut other expenses in their budget. T-Mobile even offers RV and camper Wi-Fi for people who want to easily take the work-from-home life on the road.

4. CenturyLink

CenturyLink has service in 36 states with more opportunities to grow. It strives to build out its fiber network so that this becomes more commonplace in rural areas used to satellite. CenturyLink plans range from $55-$75 per month, with the possibility of hitting speeds of 940 Mbps. CenturyLink has some of the most transparent and simple pricing of any competitor, weeding out confusing fees and not requiring customer information.

Even on CenturyLink’s cheapest plan, households can still connect multiple devices and users, reaching up to 100 Mbps speed. The company touts a 99.9% reliable network, showing how much it cares about uptime and keeping its productive clients online.

Customers can easily keep track of their billing and internet usage on the app. Other features include real-time protection to enhance cybersecurity or added accessories to your plan, like smart devices.

5. Viasat

For the fastest satellite internet on the market, Viasat is the place to shop. The company ensures customers have a price-lock guarantee, where monthly rates will not change without the customer’s awareness. As this has become increasingly common with service providers, Viasat wanted to deliver this assurance.

However, rates can vary based on location, making it more expensive in some areas than others. Thankfully, there is no need to bring your equipment, as Viasat has purchase and rental options. This could help with the up-front investment until you can afford to own if this is a goal.

Viasat prides itself on having a robust live customer care system. The agents are highly accessible to customers whenever they have questions. With professional installation, high-speed options and decent upload speeds, Viasat could solve work-from-home needs.

6. EarthLink

EarthLink has some of the best prices for the speed, making working from home blissful. You could connect multiple devices with a high-speed plan and still have a lower monthly bill than those in the big city. Depending on the area, it has a mix of fiber and satellite options. Its highest speed plan is 5 Gbps, with the best value reaching 100 Mbps. This will suffice for most remote working operations.

Another benefit of EarthLink is its financing. Some companies force customers to undergo credit checks to lock in their contract. EarthLink promises this is not part of its process. Consumers can get into a multiyear agreement without a hard inquiry on a credit report. Plus, you will always pay the same fixed rate in the first 12 months of signing up.

7. Kinetic by Windstream

Kinetic by Windstream is unique because it offers plans akin to high-speed cities while accommodating people in rural regions. It is one of the few options with reliable fiber connectivity and DSL if you are interested.

It has reach in 18 states with free installations no matter where you live. In some areas, it has an eye-catching 1 Gbps plan for only $39.99 per month. Windstream does not force you into a contract, so if you prefer this setup, then this could be the choice. You also get discounts if you sign up for auto pay.

Customers receive Kinetic’s free security system for three months to protect their first months of remote work. ISPs prioritizing cybersecurity is essential, primarily as remote working situations can be equally prone to security incidents.

8. Rise Broadband

Rise offers serviceability for fixed wireless in 16 states. It has been rated as one of the best rural ISPs and has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Plans start at a cheap $45 monthly with speeds up to 250 Mbps. The business has a robust FAQ section about each of its services, allowing customers to educate themselves before committing to a plan.

The company is investing in its fiber infrastructure, so people who commit might be able to upgrade in the near future. Investing in a cheap plan from Rise could be an investment in higher speeds as you grow your work-from-home career. One of its values is reducing the digital divide, which is why it is a wonderful option for people in rural or suburban areas.

Quick Side-by-Side Comparison

Here is every company mentioned so you can see how their plans compare for the value and connection type. These reference the most common plans and costs for rural areas, though availability changes frequently.

The Methodology

While price and accessibility are the most important factors for rural areas, many other considerations comprise a quality ISP. What are they?

• Quality customer support: Help must always be available, especially in rural areas when the connection is spotty.
• Wide service area: Caters to rural residents in a large area to ensure comprehensive coverage.
• Diverse plan options: Offers plans at varying prices and increasing speeds for different households.
• Educational resources: Has blogs, guides and more to explain how to make the most informed plan choice, empowering customers.
• Discounts and programs: Considers the financial variety of people in rural communities by having discounts or advertising local programs for financing.
• Climate resilience: Installs infrastructure to protect rural neighborhoods from severe weather, so disruptions are rare.

What Internet Speeds Do I Need?

You might be new to the work-from-home life and are unsure which plan to pick based on your needs. Every connection type has different capabilities, but you can also judge your investment based on daily habits and the number of devices.

Here is a simple breakdown of the average speed needed for the most common work-from-home activities.

What If Rural Internet Is Not Enough?

Sometimes, getting the affordable option means sacrificing speed or power. You can still have a sustainable work-from-home setup without having a top-tier plan, even in rural areas. You can supplement these providers by looking into mobile hot spots.

You should also try to use Ethernet connections as much as possible instead of exclusively relying on a wireless setup. Employees should feel encouraged to create consistency in their at-home working habits by having a designated work station. Hook up the stationary equipment to Ethernet for greater reliability.

Many of these companies offer this as an add-on to existing plans. It might be worth considering if you travel a lot or don’t want to invest in other tech, like Wi-Fi extenders, around your property.

Where Can I Find Affordable Internet for Remote Work in Rural Areas?

Working from home in a less-populated region is equally possible as living in a metropolis. Accessibility is different, but it is manageable and affordable if customers know where to look. Increasing digital literacy and learning what speeds are necessary for specific work tasks is also critical in determining the best plan for the household. Then, the monthly statement matches expectations appropriately without being more or less than what is needed. Contact one of these organizations to lay the foundation for your future work-from-home life.

Devin Partida writes about investor technologies, big data and apps. She is also the Editor-in-Chief of ReHack.com.