Choosing an internet provider used to be simple—most communities had one option that sufficed for at-home email, web browsing, and even streaming. But now that home internet usage has skyrocketed and there are many providers to choose from, the decision is more complex than ever.
For residents of Jesup, Iowa, there are several things to consider when choosing your internet provider, including speed, bandwidth, reliability, customer service, and of course price.
Here’s what you should know before making your choice.
What Is Fiber Internet?
You’ve probably heard the term “fiber internet” without stopping to think about what it means. Well, fiber-optic internet uses thin strands to transmit data using pulses of light, which allows it to carry large amounts of data over long distances with minimal signal loss.
This technology is a big improvement over older technologies, like copper coax cables, and it outperforms other modern alternatives.
Fiber Internet Alternatives
Depending on where you live in Jesup, you may have access to residential fiber internet, satellite internet, or 5G internet access through a cellular provider.
In short, here’s what each one offers:
- Fiber Internet: Uses physical cables—often underground infrastructure—to deliver high-speed internet directly to homes and businesses. It offers low latency, strong reliability, and quality download/upload performance.
- Satellite Internet: Connects users using satellites orbiting the Earth. It can be a great option for very rural areas where physical infrastructure isn’t developed, but performance is usually much slower and less reliable than a wired connection.
- Cellular Internet: Cellphone providers have begun offering home internet via their cell networks. Similar to satellite internet, it can be a good option where coverage is strong, but speed and reliability can fluctuate.
Learn more about the difference between these internet technologies.
Benefits of Fiber Internet
For homes and businesses with access to a wired fiber internet connection, it generally offers the best choice for consistency and speed. Fiber technology brings several benefits that the other solutions can’t compete with.
Faster Upload and Download Speeds
Most internet users are familiar with download speeds and notice when they lag. Download speed impacts your ability to watch videos, stream content, and download files. Upload speed is less obvious, but it matters for things like video calls, syncing cloud storage, and online gaming.
While satellite and cellular providers usually have different download and upload performance, local fiber internet providers like Heartland Technology can offer symmetrical speeds so uploads and downloads both work quickly. See our Fiber Internet Packages for available upload/download speeds.
More Consistent Connectivity
If you’ve used satellite internet or your phone’s 4G/ 5G connection, you may have noticed things slow down during peak hours. For example, when kids in town are home from school, streaming content and playing online games. This is because they’re using the network’s bandwidth.
Cellular providers will often do what’s called throttling as well, especially on cheaper plans. During peak hours, or if you’ve used a certain amount of bandwidth, they’ll slow down your speeds to allocate bandwidth to other users.
Fiber internet, on the other hand, offers high bandwidth with low latency (aka delay), even when multiple devices are connected and active. You can stream a show in the living room while the kids are watching videos for school and then playing online games. Because we know they’re good kids and did their homework before gaming.
At Heartland Technology, there is a direct fiber-optic connection to your home. There are no data caps and we will never throttle your speed..
Staying Power for the Future
Technology is moving fast right now. Think about how many internet-connected devices you had in your home 10 years ago (that was 2016, for those of us who still feel like the ‘90s were 10 years ago). You maybe had a streaming service or two, but you also probably still had a cable subscription.
Think about how that compares to today—multiple smart TVs streaming shows, a phone for every family member, a gaming system or two, smart home devices, and maybe even a connected fridge. Internet usage isn’t going to decline any time soon, and wired fiber networks are best equipped to handle the growing demands for the long term.
How Much Internet Do You Need?
When you’re choosing an internet provider, it’s important to reflect on your usage to pick an option that meets demand at your peak. A household with two people primarily browsing the web and streaming one show at a time has different needs than a family with several gamers, remote workers, and dozens of connected devices.
Think about how (and how much) your household uses the internet:
- Streaming video content
- Working from home
- Online gaming
- Smart home devices
Once you have an inventory of your usage, you can use the internet bandwidth guidance on our Residential Fiber Internet Packages to determine the right level for you.
The Local Service Advantage
Speed and bandwidth are important, but there are other factors to consider when choosing an internet provider. What happens when something happens? For the most part, you shouldn’t notice your internet because it’s just there, working in the background. But if something goes wrong, you want to know that help is available.
Heartland Technology is right here in Jesup—and we have been for almost 125 years (previously as Farmers Mutual Telephone Company). We live and work in the community, and we use our own fiber internet services. So if there’s an outage, we’re right here ready to fix it.
Unlike big satellite and cellular internet providers, when you call us, a human answers. Possibly even someone you know. We’re here to help you determine the right plan, set up your new connection, troubleshoot a problem, and more.
Plus, we’re not just a part of the community, we’re set up to serve it. As a member-owned cooperative, Heartland Technology is structured to serve our members, not outside shareholders. This makes sure our focus is on doing what’s best for the community, especially when it comes to infrastructure, customer relationships, and long-term investment. We’re here to stay.
We have a long history of giving back to Jesup, and that will continue to be a priority.
Quick Guide: Questions to Ask Before You Choose an Internet Provider
Before choosing your internet provider, here are some questions to ask.
1. Is fiber available at my address?
If you’re in Jesup, Iowa, you can view our service area map or contact us to ask about your address.
2. What speed do I need?
Think about all the devices in your home connected to the internet and how intensely they’re each used. Match your needs to our Fiber Internet Package descriptions to guide you in your selection. You can also discuss with us when you set up your new service and we’ll recommend a plan.
3. What will my monthly bill include?
Heartland Technology billing is all inclusive: no hidden fees, no contracts, and you can switch speeds at any time. You can decide if you want to provide your own router or use one of our managed routers, which are included in some plans and available for an additional fee on other plans.
4. What happens if I need technical support?
The best (and fastest) option is to give us a call at 319-827-1151 for 24/7 support.
5. Who am I supporting with my money?
When you choose Heartland Technology, your money stays in Jesup. We invest in the community, and our employees live and work here, so they spend their money locally as well. Member-owners can also benefit from financial allocations at the end of the year.
Choose the Best Fiber Internet in Jesup
Your internet connection should make everyday life easier. Fiber technology offers the speed, capacity, and performance needed in today’s connected households.
At Heartland Technology, we’re proud to serve our neighbors in Jesup with fiber internet backed by local customer service and the values of a member-owned cooperative.
Whether you’re moving to the area, upgrading your current connection, or simply exploring your options, we’re happy to help you find the right fit. Contact us to learn more about our internet services and fiber availability at your address.