Best DSL Internet for Rural Areas

Digital subscriber line (DSL) is a technology that delivers high-speed internet over telephone lines. It was a major improvement over old dial-up services. Although both use copper phone lines, DSL can reach speeds over 100 Mbps, which is almost 2,000 times faster than dial-up, and it doesn’t tie up your phone line when it’s in use.

DSL is one of the most widely available forms of internet, reaching almost everywhere in the US with access to a landline telephone. Although it is generally slower than cable and fiber internet, it also has many advantages over wireless connections like satellite internet, such as low latency, which is important for activities like online games and video chat.

Unfortunately, DSL is an older internet technology and many internet service providers (ISPs) have stopped expanding their DSL networks. Some ISPs have stopped taking new DSL customers altogether. Despite its shortcomings, DSL is still an important technology that provides reliable and affordable internet connections across the country.

CenturyLink has one of the largest operating DSL networks in the US, with coverage in 16 states across the country. Its coverage is particularly widespread in the the Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and a few Midwest states.

Some of CenturyLink’s best features are its unlimited data plans and no-contract options. This is especially appealing when compared with other DSL providers, which often have low data caps and early termination fees (ETFs) if you switch ISPs before your first-year term agreement ends.

CenturyLink has begun offering fiber internet in some areas, though its fiber expansion isn’t as widespread as some of its competitors. DSL is still its main business, so, unlike other ISPs, it seems to be doing a good job of maintaining its network and keeping its customers connected.

Verizon operates a DSL network in the Mid-Atlantic region of the US, covering New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, and Virginia. It also offers service in Washington, DC. Although this area is smaller than that covered by other ISPs, Verizon’s network is widespread in these states, with coverage reaching from urban centers to more rural areas.

Verizon is rapidly expanding its fiber network and is aggressively encouraging its DSL customers to upgrade, including many who don’t want to.³ Although fiber is a much faster technology, there are some advantages to DSL, such as the lower monthly cost.

DSL can also remain operational during blackouts, much like the telephone system it’s based on (although you still need a battery to keep your modem and router working). Since blackouts can be common in both older neighborhoods and areas with frequent hurricanes, many Verizon customers have been fighting to keep DSL connections functioning.

Although the days of Verizon’s DSL network may be numbered, it’s still a viable choice with wide availability on the East Coast.

Windstream operates across 18 states, primarily in the East, but also extending into Texas and New Mexico.

Over the past few years, Windstream has been improving its network infrastructure, including making gigabit fiber internet available to more homes within its footprint. As of 2020, 75% of homes within its service area have access to broadband speeds (25 Mbps), 44% have access to speeds over 100 Mbps, and 10% have access to gigabit speeds.⁴

EarthLink is different from the other major DSL providers in that it doesn't actually own its network. Instead, it rents space on the networks of other ISPs and then uses that to provide coverage for its customers. This means that EarthLink is technically available almost anywhere in the US, including Alaska and Hawaii.

Since EarthLink isn’t focused on building and maintaining its network infrastructure, the company focuses primarily on customer service. This is a big deal in a market that’s notorious for poor customer service, making EarthLink a good choice for anyone considering DSL.

DSL is a good choice for anyone who wants affordable internet that’s reliable enough to do the basics. It’s available to 90% of households in the US, but only 4% have access to more than one network, so the best choice is whichever one happens to be in your area.

But this doesn’t mean that you should be content to settle for your local DSL provider. You should always weigh the pros and cons of satellite vs. DSL and look into options like EarthLink. If you don’t like your local DSL provider, there are always other options to consider.

DSL stands for digital subscriber line (or digital subscriber loop). It’s actually a group of similar technologies, so you might also see it abbreviated as ADSL (for asymmetric DSL), SDSL (for symmetric DSL), or many other variations.

DSL works by sending high frequency signals over traditional copper phone lines. Older dial-up connections used audible frequencies (which you heard every time you connected to the internet).

DSL uses higher frequencies to transmit data while leaving lower frequencies open for transmitting speech. This means that unlike dial-up connections, DSL connections remain connected at all times without tying up the phone line. It also means that DSL offers much higher connection speeds than dial-up connections could.

You can get Wi-Fi on a DSL connection by using a wireless router. Many DSL modems come with a wireless router built in, allowing you to set up your home Wi-Fi network right away. Even if it doesn’t come with one, you can always buy your own wireless router and connect it to your DSL modem using an Ethernet cable.

DSL connection speeds typically range from less than 1 Mbps to over 100 Mbps. This makes them slower than fiber and cable connections, but on par or faster than most satellite connections.

DSL has several advantages over satellite internet, especially in monthly cost. DSL connections are also usually slightly faster and more reliable. The advantages DSL has over satellite are its larger data caps (or unlimited data), which is important for using video services like Netflix, and its low latency, which is important for online games and video chat.

Satellite’s biggest advantage is its widespread availability. Although DSL reaches 90% of the US, that still leaves a lot of people without access, even in areas with landline telephone service.

For a more in-depth analysis, check our comparison of satellite internet vs. DSL.