Best connectivity for rural homes

Rural connectivity decisions are usually made from a shortlist of one. The useful work is finding out whether the shortlist is genuinely that short.

Start with what reaches your property physically: fibre availability at the cabinet or premises, line of sight to any local relay, cellular signal on each band from outside the building, and a clear view of the northern or southern sky for satellite.

In our field tests, a directional external antenna moved three of five test sites from unusable to stable on 4G alone. That is often cheaper and quicker than any change of provider.

Community and fixed wireless networks are frequently overlooked and often the best value in valleys where cellular struggles. They usually require a mounted receiver and a short survey.

Satellite belongs at the end of the list, not the start. It works nearly everywhere, but the hardware cost and monthly price are high, and heavy rain or dense tree cover will interrupt it.