Internet Options For Agribusinesses
Today, everyone needs internet access, including farms, ranches, orchards, vineyards and rural homesteads. Luckily, there are several options out there for getting broadband Internet service to these rural areas. In particular, Agribusiness is now high tech venture which requires internet access. GPS systems in tractors keep tabs on exactly how much acreage has been planted and harvested. Livestock is electronically tagged and monitored to know the health of each animal and the costs involved in raising it. Everything from buying seed to monitoring market prices to keeping tabs on the weather is computerized.
A very practical and professional grade Internet connection can be provided using T1 line service. T1 is a technology developed by the telephone companies for long haul of telephone and data traffic. As such, T1 is available just about anywhere you can get a telephone line. In fact, T1 is transported on two pair of ordinary copper phone wires with special regenerators spaced every mile or so to maintain signal quality.
Unfortunately, high speed voice and data connections in rural areas can still be a challenge to get. A large part of the problem is that the methods of Internet access most popular for small business and home businesses are based on technologies with limited delivery range. DSL, including low cost consumer ADSL and business grade SDSL, can't be delivered more than a few miles from the nearest telephone company central office.
Cable modem service has become popular due in part to its convenience and wide availability. However, cable modem internet service is also limited. Cable companies may run their lines to a few outlying subdivisions and then stop. Their business model is based on dense populations so that they can get a lot of TV and Internet subscribers for every mile of expensive cable buried or strung on poles.
Wireless Internet Service Providers are sometimes available. Regrettably, they are limited in range and need a line of sight path from their tower to the antenna they set up on your property.
That's a big difference between T1 and DSL. T1 was designed with means to keep boosting the signal out to 20 miles or more from the telco office. With T1 you get 1.5 Mbps both upload and download with a service level guarantee to ensure reliable operation. With T1 you have the speed to run multiple computers, VoIP telephone or a hosted PBX system, and even a web server if you wish. If you don't need the power of a full T1 connection, fractional T1 service is available for a lower price. In some areas, Integrated T1 lets you share the line for Internet access plus a small PBX or key telephone system for your business phone calls.
If you are interested in T1, Fractional T1, Integrated T1 or professional satellite Internet service to your farm, ranch, vineyard or rural homestead, let Sheep for T1 find the best T1 prices for you. Please use the form below to help us understand your requirements. (Prices start at $400 - $500 per month and vary by location.)
