Remote Places: Your Guide to Internet & Tech Setup

Remote, rural locations tend to attract independent-minded individuals. You need to be self-sufficient when the nearest plumber or electrician is miles away and unavailable for days, so most rural residents develop impressive DIY skills.

Installing internet-smart technology can intimidate even the most seasoned DIY enthusiast. The physical skills aren’t usually a problem, but setting up routers, modems, and wireless networks can be challenging. Here we’ll explain what you need to get internet in a rural area.

1. Assess Your Needs

Understanding what your tech requirements are helps set you up for success. How will you use the internet? Are you planning to use it primarily for entertainment, or do you want to create a smart home with connected security, lighting, HVAC control, and sensors? How much area will your network need to cover? Many rural properties have outbuildings and work areas that are separated from the main house by distance, which extends your potential network area.

Take your location into consideration. Internet infrastructure in rural locations is often limited, reducing the choice of internet service providers, which in turn influences the technology your internet can and cannot support.

Types of Internet Connections

While urban residents have their choice of multiple internet providers, rural internet options are typically confined to the following types of service:

Satellite Internet plans connect users far from urban centers by transmitting data to and from orbiting satellites. Despite the enormous distances involved, satellite internet still provides high internet speeds, although latency rates can slow real-time applications somewhat.
Rural fixed wireless internet transmits data using radio signals sent to a signal tower. Local geography can impact signal strength, with the best signals requiring a clear line of sight between the antenna and the radio tower.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) utilizes existing telephone lines to deliver internet services. DSL is a reliable form of rural internet, but it has significant limitations in terms of speed, which impact streaming and bandwidth capabilities. Additionally, DSL signal connections degrade with distance from the service provider, resulting in lower speeds for remote users.
Cable internet provides high speeds and stable connections, often bundled with cable TV packages. The infrastructure required for cable becomes increasingly less available as you move away from urban centers, so cable is usually not an option for remote locations.

Setting Up Your Home Network

Some rural internet service providers (ISPs) provide all the necessary equipment to get online, which they may or may not install themselves. If your ISP does not provide the necessary equipment, you will need to purchase it yourself. You’ll need the following:

Modems receive and send data to your ISP network and translate incoming data into a format your devices understand.
Routers connect to your modem and create a local network for wired and wireless devices. Combination modem/routers are increasingly popular as they perform the functions of both devices and take up less space.
Ethernet cables physically connect devices to routers. While most devices now support wireless connectivity, consider Ethernet cables for frequently used devices that require the most reliable connections and fastest speeds.
Range extenders and signal boosters, such as mesh nodes, increase the range and strength of your wireless signal. Range extenders are essential for farms or other properties that require connectivity over extended distances.
Receivers and satellite dishes are required for fixed wireless and satellite internet. Most satellite internet plans include the dish and other necessary equipment. Starlink requires you to install equipment yourself, while Hughesnet offers professional installation services.
Coaxial cables connect your modem to external equipment such as satellite dishes.

Optimizing Your Network

As you set up your internet, be aware that your router’s location impacts your network’s range and reliability. Your router should:

Be in a central location. Think of your wireless range as a circle, with the router at its center. Anything that falls outside the circle will either have a weaker connection or no connection at all.
Be elevated. Place the router on a shelf or other high area to strengthen the signal in the upper levels of your home.
Stay away from walls, corners, and metal objects. All three can weaken Wi-Fi signals. Microwave ovens, cordless phones, and other electronic devices can also interfere with the signal if they are placed too close to the router.

Take the time to familiarize yourself with your router’s security. Your router’s manual will provide instructions on how to access its settings. Change the default password and network name (SSID) to unique names, as the defaults are easily bypassed. Enable WPA3 or WPA2 AES encryption in the security settings, and set the router to automatically upload firmware updates and security patches.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

If you’re experiencing slow speeds, unreliable Wi-Fi connections, or a complete loss of internet, try these simple solutions:

Restart the modem and router: Unplug the router and modem, wait a minute, then plug them back in. Problems often self-resolve with a reboot.
Check your connections: Are all cables securely plugged in on the router, modem, and Ethernet-equipped devices? Check for damage as well as loose cables.
Try a different device: If you’re having trouble with one device, see if your other devices are connected. If so, the problem lies with the device, not the network.
Update your router firmware: The latest firmware update may improve connectivity.

DIY Tech Projects for Rural Living

Getting online opens up a host of DIY tech projects. Some of the most popular include:

Smart Farming Devices

Smart farming devices include soil moisture and weather sensors to automate irrigation systems, livestock RFID tags and sensors to track the location and health of livestock, and the use of AI-powered agricultural drones to monitor and assess crop health.

If, like many rural residents, you rely on well water, smart sensors generate alerts when they detect changes in water levels, flow, or pressure.

Energy Efficiency and Home Automation

Many smart devices help you monitor and control your energy usage, a serious consideration in rural environments, where high utility bills or reliance on self-generated energy may be a concern. With smart devices, you can remotely control energy use through phone apps or schedule times when devices receive energy. Examples include:

Smart thermostats automatically adjust the temperature based on local conditions, time of day, and whether you’re home.
Smart lighting with motion sensors to turn off lights when not in use.
Smart plugs and power strips help prevent energy use from electronics in standby mode.

Security Systems

Remote living often means you’re miles away from your nearest neighbor, and even further from emergency services. Smart security cameras, smart locks, alarms, and motion detectors can all send you remote alerts when they detect unusual activity, adding to your peace of mind and deterring potential burglars. Security devices are also helpful for monitoring livestock.

Modern Rural Life is Connected

Setting up the internet in a rural area may seem daunting, but with the right knowledge and preparation, it’s a straightforward process. You can make informed decisions that suit your lifestyle once you assess your needs and understand your available internet options. Subscribe for more tips and guides to rural living, and share your stories below: What opportunities have you taken advantage of with modern tech?