why internet service coverage is how it is- i was looking into getting a different internet provider, but what i wanted isnt available for my address. when i checked the coverage map, it shows covered areas surrounding me, but not in my actual area, less then half a mile away from the covered areas. and theres quite a lot covered around me. why does it work like this? (i apologize if this is the incorrect way to post this question, i just want to clarify what i mean)
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This is what is called the “last mile” problem.
In order to get the internet to you the ISP needs to have some sort of line to connect to you.
They usually have some sort of hub centrally located in a neighborhood or similar and connect to individual households from there.
They might not set up such a hub in places where they don’t think they will get enough customers to make it worth their while even if there is a hub near you there might not be a connection your your house. Somebody might have to dig up the street first to lay down some cable or fiber.
These things also tend to be limited in length depending on the technology. You might end up with situations where your neighbor down the street is just close enough to be connected and you are too far away.
In most cases this means if you want internet you will have to make do with a lesser type of connection that is not as fast but which can be connected to your home without these problems.
If you live somewhere rural or poor your ISP might be convinced to roll out their latest tech to your neighborhood if they can be convinced that there are enough customers there to make up make it worth their while.
I have heard of businesses who didn’t take this into account when setting up a new location and had to pay though the nose to have their new building connected, because it was in an are where previously not high speed internet was available.
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