Spain is one of the leading countries with the most fiber optic cabling in relation to its territory, and also DSL cabling across much of the country; there are places (especially rural ones) where, due to logistical or cost issues, this cabling technology cannot be used to reach those places.
Often, this also happens simply because of a choice made by the people who live in those places. They prefer not to have fiber optic technology and instead choose telephone wired internet which has a very slow speedThey have at their disposal today a speed that was used several decades ago.
But don't worry, if you want to stay connected to the Internet at all times, you can do so. In this article we want to show you all the specifications and characteristics that this type of technology, somewhat outdated, has in rural areas.
What is rural internet and how does it differ from urban connections?
Rural Internet Service It is provided through a voice band via a 56k modem Telephone lines are the conduits for this data. They face a significant problem today, as maintenance by telephone companies is subpar because they have focused on providing fiber optic services, which are the most convenient and up-to-date option available today.
La The main difference between rural internet and urban internet is the upload and download speed.In the city we can watch videos or any other type of high-quality streaming of infidelity, while for rural areas this is practically impossible.
In areas without fiber optic service, installation is done via a modem connected to the telephone line, providing a very different service than a fiber optic modem. The installation volume for these modems is also significantly different; the second type is almost the same as the first.
What are the main types of internet connections available for rural and remote areas with poor coverage?
If you own a house in the countryside or simply find yourself in these rural areas occasionally, The types of internet connection you will have are the following:
WiMAX
It is called that because of its English acronym for “Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access", which works with microwaves, which means it works with radio waves; the standard is IEEE 802.16 MAN.
This data transmission provides broadband services in places where the deployment of fiber optic cables cannot reach rural populations or is simply too costly.
In some cases, we can also find a license-free transmission frequency of 5,4 GHz.They have significant limitations because they only operate between specific brands. This means that if you want to contact a provider other than those listed among the brands, you won't be able to.
At the heart of the standard connection are two types of variants through which the Internet can be accessed:
- One is 802.16d, also called fixed accessThis establishes a radio link between a base station and the user's equipment, which, although theoretical, reaches speeds of up to 70 Mbit/s with a frequency of 20 MHz.
- And the other variant case The connection standard is 802.16e, commonly called full mobilityThis allows, compared to the previous variant, for an internet connection without being at the user's home. It is a mode similar to GSM, which currently competes with LTE technology.
Among the advantages of this type of connection, we can mention that they provide mobile or portable broadband connectivity through a variety of devices, providing the service «triple play"That is, it works as a phone, provides data, and serves for IPTV services."
Another advantage we can mention is that they work for smart grids and as part of a business plan.
Satellite Internet
This type of connection It refers to a method in which the Internet can be accessed using a satellite link.It is sought after for places where there is no cabling or access to fiber optics; its main advantage is that it is very expensive to use.
Signals transmitted via an uplink to the satellite are sent down to Earth via a downlink beam. This is possible when downlink beams can be prevented from interfering with each other, or when more power is available for transmission from Earth.
In other words, This means that to send our waves to the receiving antenna we would have to be very well located to avoid interference..
Hotspot Devices
The Hotspot, or connection technology It is a way to access the Internet through a wireless network that connects the service provider with a router..
These types of telecommunications are almost always areas of high demand in terms of traffic. thus creating limitations in coverage to be able to meet all user demand at the time of your wireless internet connection.
The service is can cover via Wi-Fi It is widely used in public places such as libraries, bars, train stations, airports, and many other locations. In almost all of these places, access is free.
The frequency with which it works is 2.4 GHz (802.11b/o 802.11g) o 5Ghz (802.11ac) Depending on the user's location and the device emitting the signal, the upload and download speeds will vary.
WiMax vs Satellite vs Mobile Internet Devices, which is better for rural areas and faster?
If you want to avoid being without internet access in rural areas, we want to present you with an analysis so you can compare which options are best for you.At the end of this article we will present our conclusions regarding this topic, but it will always be up to you to decide which one best suits your actual needs.
We will prioritize connection speed and monthly service cost. In this analysis, we want to disregard the service provider; therefore, we will reduce the data to averages based on studies we have conducted comparing different companies.
WiMAX – Low speed
It's a good alternative for non-urban areas; its installation cost is €72,50Offering an unlimited download limit, its speed varies from 3Mb to 9Mb (something to keep in mind and pay attention to). The average monthly fee is €29,90.
Now, if what you need is not only to have Internet but also to add telephone service to your service, the only thing that will vary is the monthly fee where the average will become €42 per month offering calls of up to 1200 minutes for local destinations.
Satellite Internet – There is no 100% coverage
If we're talking about satellite internet, connections will depend on your location and the plan you choose, but on average you can expect speeds between 30 Mb and 50 Mb (much higher than the previous WiMAX point), including a landline. Its monthly value varies between from €34,90 to €79,90 per month.
We reiterate that it depends on your location, as there are areas where there is not 100% coverage for this type of service.
Mobile internet – A little more expensive than the rest
When we talk about mobile internet, we're referring to 3G and 4G technology. There's a significant difference between the companies that provide this service, and just like satellite internet, availability depends on your location. The advantage of this system is that the entire country is covered by these connections.
In all cases, data consumption limits were analyzed; companies offer between 50 GB to 80 GB, But also you will find unlimited consumption paying a little more. The maximum speed they reach is in the order of 20 Mb to 50 Mb (something important if you prioritize this type of need) and they have a cost from €39,95 to €55,40.
Conclusion
With this analysis, we want to recommend, and although we already mentioned it, that the best option will depend on your needs and circumstances. In other words, if you spend a lot of time in rural areas, you should choose one service or another, while if you are only in rural areas occasionally, you don't need to contract with the provider that offers the highest connection speeds.
But, to sum up, We'll tell you that the best option for these cases is to have mobile internet, as it provides a better data upload and download connection at a higher speed than other options and has coverage throughout Spain..
The disadvantage of these services is that they are a little more expensive than the rest.
