Today, there is a power struggle between satellite Internet companies like Viasat and 4G mobile Internet providers such as UbiFi for the title of best rural Internet service provider. Both of these types of service fill the niche of Internet for rural areas because of their ability to reach even the most highly remote locations. Despite satellite Internet’s popularity, 4G mobile providers like UbiFi outperform satellite Internet providers in the areas of speed, latency, and weather resistance.
4G mobile Internet providers have demonstrated speeds that are consistently faster than satellite Internet providers. On average, the fastest speeds satellite Internet can reach are around 15 Mbps. However, speeds of 15 to 20 Mbps are considered standard fare for 4G Internet speeds, which have the potential to go even faster.
Furthermore, 4G Internet is much less susceptible to latency because of its relatively close distance to rural households. Satellite Internet signals have to travel through space before they reach rural households because they are transmitted from satellites in orbit. 4G mobile Internet can transmit signals with a much smaller delay, making 4G Internet the best Internet for rural gaming out of these two choices.
Lastly, satellite Internet can be hindered by adverse weather conditions affecting the air between satellites and dishes/receivers. Because 4G Internet signals do not have to travel exceedingly long distances, they are less prone to interference and disruptions from heavy rain, snow, and wind.
If you choose an unlimited 4G rural Internet provider like UbiFi, you may also get a better deal than satellite Internet providers that enforce data caps and charge overage fees. Be sure to research the details of every provider’s service plan before committing to one.