Remember the iconic sound of dial-up internet? While most of us have moved on to high-speed fiber connections, it may come as a surprise that many people in rural areas still rely on dial-up as their primary home internet connection. According to recent estimates, over a quarter million homes in the US and around 1% of Canadians still use dial-up in 2021.
So, how is this possible? The answer lies in the limited internet options available in remote areas. In many cases, satellite internet is the main alternative to dial-up, but it is much slower per dollar than the average fixed connection like cable or fiber. Basic satellite plans start at around $65 a month for just 10 to 25 megabits per second, making it cost-prohibitive for many people. Moreover, it is notoriously sensitive to weather conditions and has high latency, making activities like online gaming a real chore.
Although DSL runs over plain old phone lines and is much faster than dial-up, it is not an option for many people in rural areas. Higher-speed DSL requires specialized and expensive equipment at each end. Additionally, ISPs are killing off DSL as it is slower than cable or fiber and requires hefty upkeep costs. This has caused controversy since there are still people in outlying areas who rely on it to connect to the internet at respectable speeds.
The low population density and vast tracts of land in rural areas mean that cable companies have reservations about building expensive infrastructure to every home. This is the same reason why many of these same homes cannot even get cable TV. As a result, many rural areas are underserved, and people are losing population, giving ISPs even less reason to provide internet access to those who stay behind.
Fixed wireless technologies, where an internet signal is delivered to a home via a cell network, could help bridge this digital divide. It could end up being more cost-effective than laying cables everywhere and a lot quieter than listening to Google dig up your backyard. As large mobile carriers continue to build out more towers, it will take time and money, but it could be a practical solution to provide internet access to rural areas.
While dial-up may seem like a distant memory for many of us, it still serves as a practical and cost-effective solution for some people in remote areas. Additionally, it is still used in devices like ATMs and card readers that do not require much bandwidth. As we continue to search for solutions to provide internet access to underserved areas, it is essential to understand the challenges faced by those who still rely on dial-up.