Fast, reliable internet access is essential for businesses to thrive in today's digitally-driven world. But finding the best type of internet connection for those in hard-to-reach areas can be a daunting task for MSPs - particularly as demand for cloud adoption and hybrid work environments increases.
While providing businesses in rural and hard-to-reach areas with popular connectivity methods like cable and fiber isn't always easy, your clients can still enjoy high-speed internet. In this blog, we're sharing a complete guide to choosing the right internet for your clients in rural and hard-to-reach areas to help you provide best-fit solutions, no matter what.
What Types of Internet Connections Are Available in Hard-To-Reach Areas?
The first step in finding the right connectivity solution for businesses in hard-to-reach areas is understanding the available internet technologies. The options are often limited in rural areas, so it's important to know what will work - and what won't - to make a well-informed decision.
The most common types of rural internet include:
Satellite
Satellite internet works by sending data signals from a satellite orbiting the Earth to a dish installed on the organization's premises. When installing a satellite dish, the technician typically checks the property to ensure the dish is placed for maximum signal strength.
Pros:
- Available almost everywhere, even in difficult-to-reach locations.
- Provides internet speeds comparable to DSL or broadband.
- Not affected by physical obstacles, such as trees or buildings.
Cons:
- High latency, which can cause delays in data transmission.
- Can be affected by bad weather, such as heavy rain or snow.
- Limited bandwidth, resulting in slow connections during peak usage.
- Generally more expensive than other connectivity options.
Fixed Wireless
Fixed wireless internet uses radio signals from a vertical asset - such as a cell tower or base station - to provide connectivity to businesses. A technician installs a receiver on the user's premises, ensuring a clear line of sight to the vertical asset. The receiver relays the signals to a router, which then connects devices like PCs, laptops, and smartphones to the internet.
Pros:
- Implementation takes significantly less time than a new fiber build.
- Can scale up or down to meet changing business needs.
- Reliable during most inclement weather, including snow and rain.
- Offers fast speeds comparable to those of fiber-optic internet.
- Uses military-grade encryption protocols to keep internet signals secure.
- More affordable than fiber due to its quicker setup and deployment.
Cons:
- Coverage is limited based on line of sight; however, BeyondReach can leverage vertical assets in even the most remote locations to connect your clients.
- May have data limits depending on the product - for example, a fixed broadband solution will likely have a data cap, whereas dedicated internet access (DIA) doesn't.
Cellular
An option gaining popularity among businesses in rural areas is cellular data. This technology uses a cellular network to connect to the internet, so it's only a reliable connectivity solution for companies with good cell phone coverage.
Pros:
- Easily moved from one location to another for greater portability.
- Not affected by physical obstacles, such as trees or buildings.
- Can scale up or down to meet changing business needs.
Cons:
- Coverage is limited in rural areas where cell coverage is less widely available.
- Can be more expensive than other connectivity options.
- Often has data caps limiting how much data can be used each month.
- Signal interference from other devices, such as microwaves, can affect quality.
- May experience network congestion during peak usage times.
What Should MSPs Consider When Choosing a Rural Internet Connection?
While internet availability plays the most significant role in determining which type of connectivity to offer your rural clients, it's not the only factor. Other important considerations include:
- Location: The location of your customer's property is a big factor when choosing an internet solution. If their property has a clear line of sight to a tower, fixed wireless internet is often the best choice.
- Cost: Costs are often significant for businesses and may be especially so for your smaller, rural customers. Be sure to compare the price of each option before making a selection, factoring in any additional fees like installation and equipment.
- Needs: Different businesses have different needs. For example, satellite internet may not be ideal if your customer relies on bandwidth-intensive applications, such as video conferencing, due to latency issues.
Connect Your Hard-To-Reach Clients With BeyondReach
Choosing the best connectivity solution for your clients in hard-to-reach areas requires careful consideration of many factors - but it's not impossible with the right internet solution provider in your corner.
At BeyondReach, we provide internet service to areas other ISPs won't touch. We specialize in rural internet solutions, including fixed broadband and fixed wireless for remote areas, to help MSPs provide reliable, high-speed internet to customers in even the most difficult-to-service locations.
Interested in learning more about our rural internet connectivity solutions? Contact BeyondReach today for help choosing the right internet for your hard-to-reach clients.
