[TankerKC]

I God wanted you to live out there, he would have provided high speed internet. ;)

[Crazieman]

Unless you intend on playing games over the internet, I'd say satellite.

Otherwise, I'm sure others have good suggestions.

[PajamaTruthMafia]

Good place to start your research:

http://www.dslreports.com/

[xcamel]

You and your neighbors could get together and set up a broadband DSL wireless link to an outside provider, and whomever has the best location for a "ham tower" could grab the signal from "civilization".

Then it's just a matter of a router and partitioning for each of your local network subscribers. Each could have 1 to 8 static ip's and many internal dynamic ips for each subscribers internal networks (if they want)

Long range wireless repeaters can be set up house-to-house to avoid the need for any outside cables, or a single point omni repeater if everyone is line-of-sight to the receiving tower.

[somemoreequalthanothers]

www.leroyjenkins.com

[freedumb2003]

What is the best rural internet connection?

Call Cletis over at the General Store and ask him what is happening on the Internet!! ;)

[IrishCatholic]

I live on a farm and can't even see my neighbor. I have Direct TV and Direct PC. Both are the best thing ever. I used to have a big C band dish but every time the wind blew the picture went out.
With these small dishes I can have the Internet on all the time and it goes as fast as I can. I also have TV in all but the biggest downpours and if I have power I have both. No cables to go down in an ice storm or thunderstorm.
If I ever move back to where I have neighbors and options I still will get a satellite dish. The technology really has improved (Tivo too)

[linn37]

Earthlink, I have had them for four years with never a problem.

[HAL9000]

Try to find a "WISP" (Wireless Internet Service Provider) in your area. A good WISP should be better that satellite Internet.

If you must go with satellite - check www.wildblue.com. They have the latest technology, better than Hughes/DirecWay.

[centurion316]

Several others have pointed out the possibilites to create your own high speed network amongst your neighbors. I would like to do that too, but don't have the time and energy to make it happen.

I did subscribe to Wildblue satellite service and have not regreted the decision. I suffer the occasional loss of signal due to storms, but its just a minor inconvenience. Overall I'm very pleased and would never go back to dial-up.

[faq]

no DSL, etc. just standard phone lines.

I have DSL and it comes in over my regular phone line. If you haven't already, check with your telephone provider to see if they offer DSL internet.