Readers’ Choice 2022: Your Favorite ISPs for Any Type of Broadband
Unlike laptops, printers, or smartphones, ISPs are not the same everywhere in the US. Many people don't have a choice in internet service providers where they live. The sole ISP available may provide excellent service, but that’s not guaranteed, especially in remote parts of the country. ISPs aren’t known for upping their game without some healthy competition.
According to a recent Pew Research study(Opens in a new window), nearly a quarter of respondents from rural areas (24%) say that access to high-speed internet is a major problem in their communities, compared with only about one in eight urban respondents (13%). The number of suburban respondents with access problems is even lower (9%). For many others, though, the problem is not location but lack of choice. More than a third of respondents to this month’s Readers’ Choice survey (34%) said their current ISP is the only one available. Respondents’ overall satisfaction with their ISPs is much lower when they have no other option.
Fixed-wireless and satellite-based internet have been around for years, if only as the services of last resort—but no more. While much of the buzz about 5G networks is around faster connections for mobile phones, 5G fixed wireless can also provide enough speed to serve many homes’ internet needs. And satellite internet used to be very slow and unreliable; people would sign up for the service only out of desperation. But several survey respondents are using SpaceX’s growing Starlink satellite network, and they report it's on par with cable and fiber-based broadband connections.
Is it time to start investigating your broadband alternatives? Read on to see which internet service providers are providing fast, reliable connections and excellent
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