Rural living doesn’t mean you can’t have good internet

I would have to say that the biggest challenge I have faced during my moving back to the country is finding quality, high-speed internet. Since I kept my job with my East Coast company, having fairly fast internet is paramount in getting my work done and being connected to an office on the other side of the country.

Prior to moving I had done a lot of research on the options in the country. I had researched WiMax (nothing in my area), compared satellite service providers (not the greatest speed) and contacted the local fiber optic company (all tapped out on lines). My parents had switched from satellite to using their cell phone’s as a wifi hot spot, but I couldn’t image that would provide the connection service I need.

At first I started with satellite, however that had too many problems that slowed down my productivity and was not compatible with the VPN I use for work. Knowing that nothing had changed with the fiber optic company, I was not sure what I was going to do. I posted my problems on Facebook and had some people suggest looking into a wifi hotspot. I ended up in Hermiston, a quick 40 minute drive, with the purpose to look into improved cell phone service and to get more information about a hotspot with my current provider. However when I went into my provider’s store and explained the situation, they were honest enough to tell me I would be better off switching cell phone carriers as all of the towers in my area were owned by the other company.

So now I have a new cell phone carrier with better service and a little wifi hotspot that has been the best so far. It works with my VPN and is a fairly good speed for what I do. I have had a few hiccups with the 3G speed, but the carrier company is going 4G at the end of the year so I am hopeful that things will only improve. I have had several people in the area ask me about it. It seems that people are wanting something faster than the satellite option. I think my favorite part is that it is so small (smaller than my smart phone) and I can take it anywhere. Which in essence means I can work anywhere!

So if you feel like you are stuck with a poor, slow country internet connection. Remember that technologies are advancing everyday. If it’s been a while since you researched alternatives, maybe now is the time to look into your new options!