Ontario is a Canadian province with more than 894,000 square kilometers of land and 250,000 lakes that fall within its borders. It’s significantly larger than the 695,662 square kilometers that form the state of Texas.
The majority of Ontario’s 13.6 million residents live in the southern part of the province. Those who do live in the northern part of the province can be affected by lack of access to health care, public transit and other services, including internet service.
Fortunately, wireless internet service is enabling more residents to get online and enjoy the benefits of internet access at home.
Wireless Internet
Wireless internet providers in Ontario are able to use airwaves to deliver high-speed internet services to consumers. One of the main obstacles for internet providers has been lack of infrastructure. Without fiber-optic cables running from house to house, traditional internet providers have been unable to deliver internet to rural residents. The cost of running cables has deterred those companies from expanding services.
Wireless internet service providers (WISPs) are able to use towers to transmit waves. The waves are received by a satellite dish that can be safely mounted on the customer’s home. WaveDirect is capable of delivering download speeds of up to 25 Mbps and offers unlimited data through their monthly plans. They also offer a 30-day free trial period for rural residents.
Securing Service
You can review information about wireless internet plans on the WISP’s website. For example, all of WaveDirect’s plans offer unlimited data. The download and upload speeds vary. Their basic plan offers download speeds of five Mbps and upload speeds of up to one Mbps. Their fastest plan features up to 3 Mbps upload speeds and download speeds of 25 Mbps.
Once you have determined which plan meets your budget and needs, you can contact customer service to arrange for a free trial period. The WISP will confirm your location is within its service area and schedule a time for installation.
Important Considerations
Although basic wireless internet is superior to both satellite internet and 3G internet services, it may not be sufficient for your needs. Streaming services, such as Netflix, recommend at least download speeds of at least five Mbps. Basic plans offer this download speed, but your ability to download or stream content will be affected by other users in your home. If you have multiple people who may wish to stream content at the same time or teenagers who like to play video games online, you will need a faster download rate to accommodate all users.
Slow upload speeds may also have an adverse effect on your ability to use wireless internet for remote work. For example, Skype recommends users have 1.5 Mbps upload speeds to make video calls. The upload speeds offered by basic wireless internet plans may not be sufficient for all remote work tasks.
Uses
A Reliable internet service will enable you to visit websites and participate on social media platforms. You can also use your internet access for online shopping.
Many consumers have used high-speed internet to replace cable television services. You can subscribe to a wide range of streaming services that will enable you to watch television shows and movies for a fraction of the cost of cable. Sling and Hulu Live both have live viewing features so you can watch shows when they air. They also include DVR services with your subscription so you can record shows and watch them later. Other streaming services include HBO Max, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+.
Remote work is increasingly popular with employers and employees alike. You will be able to participate in conference calls, video meetings, and network through company communication systems with a computer and a high-speed internet connection. Remote work opportunities had been increasing prior to the coronavirus outbreak in 2020; the need to impose social distancing guidelines prompted more employers to offer work from home opportunities. Many of these companies intend to continue remote work for the foreseeable future.