For those who live and work in the urban region, the internet is an easily accessible resource that can be available quite easily, but for those who live and work in rural the internet can still be difficult to access. Although data from the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) show that the number of people with internet access in the countryside rose from 32% to 78% (2023 data), there is still a major concern about internet access in the remote regions.
However, this means that a part of the rural population does not yet have access to the virtual world. What happens is that internet access is not a matter of values or options: there is a technical issue that often impairs access to this feature.
To better understand how Internet access happens in rural areas, we have prepared this article with everything you need to know about rural internet , and ways to monitor and improve the speed of this important feature for everyone.
Rural Internet in Brazil in 2024
The growth of technological advancement caused the rural internet to reach a prominent level. The development of new technologies allowed resources and tools to be developed that would allow the internet to reach more remote places, such as rural areas, allowing farmers and industries in various segments to get quality internet access.
The rural internet has ensured a connectivity expansion space with a quality and efficiency telecommunication infrastructure . Thus, even the most remote places now can have internet access to perform routine activities and maintain the continuity of activities. Thus, the distance of urban centers is no longer a hindrance.
Telecommunications operators and various internet service providers have invested a lot in recent years in infrastructure and new technologies to ensure higher speed and stability in the most remote areas, ensuring that rural zones can get quality internet access. An example of this is that only in the first half of 2023 was there an investment of R $ 15.9 billion in the Brazilian telecommunications sector. This means that rural internet can now be implemented through fiber optics, radio frequency, satellite, mobile network, and other technologies.
Thanks to these innovations and new features, the rural internet can evolve and transform the life and routine of those who depend on this valuable tool. Thus, agribusiness can implement new technologies and use industry 4.0 resources that have been developed to provide more efficiency and practicality for the routine.
Rural internet: impact of technological advancement
For many years, the only way to get internet in these rural regions was through radio frequency . However, with low quality technology, radio frequency was for a long time an inefficient resource, presenting connection failures and constant intermittences.
Over the years, new resources have been developed that allowed the rural internet to benefit from new technologies. This means that now homes, companies and industries located in rural ones could benefit from solutions such as satellite, fiber optic, mobile networks, etc.
Understand the differences between the internet via radio and fiber optic:
With the development of new technologies to facilitate increasingly accelerated internet access, rural internet has made significant advances in recent years. This means that agribusiness companies and even from the industrial sector located in rural areas can benefit from an increasingly efficient quality internet.
What are the technology options to improve connectivity on the rural internet?
For rural communities to be able to make the most of the internet and perform activities and tasks that require connectivity, there are several technologies and solutions that can help. In the current market, the most commonly used solutions are:
Internet via radio
The internet via radio was the first option for rural zones, and it was for a long time a low quality alternative with a lot of instability. Unlike broadband, the internet via radio has a wireless connection, ie without the need for cable installation.
This alternative uses a wireless network card and allows connection without the use of modem. Technological advancement allowed to improve this technology, delivering more availability and connection stability.
Internet via satellite ADSL
The internet via satellite is a technology that does not need cables and works through an antenna. Through it, it is possible to make wireless connections at efficient speed, even in remote areas.
Although it gained popularity in 2016, the internet via satellite in Brazil is in a very high time. This advance allowed the emergence of several options for fixed and mobile consumers, such as Starlink , which uses low terrestrial orbit satellites and can deliver unlimited access, high speeds and an affordable price.
ADSL
The emergence of the internet was marked by Dial Up connections, ie dial -up connection. This means that to connect to the internet it was necessary for the computer to have a modem and a telephone line . In the late 1980s ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line - Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber (ADSL) technology emerged as an alternative to dial up connections, allowing the use of fixed telephone infrastructure without occupying the line.
Simply put, this technology allows the separation of the telephone feature from the part that was effectively used for internet connection .
Internet via fiber optics
Fiber optic internet is the most commonly used form of connectivity in large centers and is increasingly present in rural areas. Its speed is the highlight , as data transmission occurs near the speed of light. The cables are composed of glass beams, as thin as a hair of human hair, coated with reflective and insulating plastic. With the aid of converters integrated with transmitters, the entire data signal is transformed into light, which will be transmitted through reflections throughout the cable, without any interference. Thus, the sum of all these factors ensures the fiber optic speed, stability and quality.
Currently, rural areas have been the target of infrastructure investments to support the implementation of fiber optic networks. However, the challenges imposed by distance, weather conditions and natural environments still persist. The vulnerability of these networks to events such as tree fall and branches is a concern, considering the greater exposure of these areas to such incidents. Despite these obstacles, the internet via fiber optic remains one of the most viable and effective options.
How does the internet help in rural work?
As we observed throughout this article, the internet has become fundamental within the countryside, helping producers achieve more efficiency during their tasks. Agribusiness present in the countryside can benefit greatly with the quality rural internet . In addition to providing a more efficient information exchange, through it is possible:
- Perform continuous monitoring of production growth;
- Calculate and check the planting area;
- Identify the presence and incidence of pests;
- Study soil characteristics and needs for planting;
- Perform the calculation and application of pesticides according to the need for production, in order to reduce spending and use the inputs with more intelligence;
- Control inventories;
- Improvement of energy efficiency;
- Increased productivity;
- Implement an intelligent irrigation process, ensuring more sustainability.
With the help of the internet it is also possible to automate several tasks within the farm, such as drones used for pesticide irrigation, property camera security system, and more .
In the case of agribusiness, technology along with quality internet connection allows the producer to monitor inventory through the use of sensors in silos and warehouses, monitoring moisture, temperature, time and amount of inputs. Having access to this type of information makes all the difference in the results of avoiding losses and ensuring higher results.
Importance of rapid and stable connection in the countryside?
We experience a reality where the rapid and efficient exchange of information is fundamental to maintain the continuity and connectivity of agribusiness. And they can adapt to the technological reality of today, can stay competitive in the market and stand out before the competition , ensuring higher results and delivering more quality and efficiency to agribusiness.
For this reason, having quality internet is much more than just a luxury: it is a growth strategy that should be a priority. In this sense, it is essential to find resources that allow quality access to the Internet so that resources are used more intelligently and efficiently, ensuring that their agribusiness stands out and grows more and more.
Quality internet access can allow the use of technologies that considerably facilitate the accomplishment of numerous tasks within agribusiness. Through it producers in the countryside can deliver better productive performance and ensure more quality of life, performing tasks with more intelligence and efficiency.
Quality rural internet reduces the time required to perform tasks, ensures waste control and helps producer access all information related to their processes performed within agribusiness, such as production control, input inventory, equipment automation, etc.
And to ensure that internet connection meets needs, it is essential to periodically measure the speed of the internet.
How to measure the speed of my internet?
To periodically measure the speed of the internet connection , you can use various tools, which perform tests quickly and accurately. It is possible to identify any performance problems and take action to optimize your connection, either by adjustments to the router configuration or considering the provider exchange, if necessary.
Thus, before opting for another company or internet provider, it is necessary to find out if the speed of your internet is in accordance with what was hired. For this, there are tools available to perform this calculation, check it out:
1 – Fast.com
Fast.com is one of the most commonly used services by those who need to test the download speed quickly and practically. Developed by Netflix, just go to the page that automatically your internet will be evaluated and the result is quickly displayed on the screen.
2 – Speedtest
Developed by Ookla, Speedtest.net is the world leader in broadband tests, being the best known and used service to monitor the speed of the internet around the world. This feature has a simple and intuitive interface, presenting complete results such as download speed, upload, ping and the name of the operator that provides the internet . This service is also available on the web and also on iOS and Android applications.
3 - SIMET
With the help of the Internet Traffic Measurement System (SIMET) of the BR (NIC.br) Information and Coordination Center, it is possible to measure the speed of your internet connection and determine the quality of your connection. This test can also be performed on mobile devices and is available for iOS and Android.
4 – Brazil broadband
Brazil Broadband was developed by the quality of quality (created to meet an Anatel resolution) to measure the quality indicators of telecommunications networks that support internet access in fixed and mobile broadband in Brazil. The test allows you to measure the speed of the internet without the need to install any features or plugin.
According to Brazilian law ( Resolutions 574/2011 and 575/2011 ) Providers are required on average 80% of what you have hired, and should never reach less than 40% , but this is only valid in the case of technical problems, which means that the customer should enjoy all the speed of time. If your test does not show that the poor quality of the internet is related to a failure to provide your operator, you will need to adopt some measures to improve the connection.
How to monitor and improve the speed of the rural internet?
Depending on the type of technology that is used on the internet of your agribusiness, you may need to adopt strategies that help monitor and improve the speed of your connection. These measures can also contribute to the increased productivity of their employees and, consequently, their results. To help you, we have separated some tips and strategies that can improve the speed of your connection and facilitate the routine and performing of tasks:
Check the position of your router
In cases where the router is in internal environments and needs to serve a specific area, such as offices, the position of your equipment can make all the difference in the quality of your internet connection. This is because, depending on how it is located within the property, it is possible that the speed of your internet is impaired
Depending on the positioning of the walls around the router and the presence of very massive objects, it is possible that the internet signal is negatively impacted. To prevent objects and walls from hindering the good performance of your internet, it is necessary to position the router in a central space within the environment or property where it is located. It is also necessary to prevent it from being very close to microwave equipment or radios that can affect its operation and generate interference.
Monitor the use of applications
There are some applications that make the constant transfer of data, impairing the availability of your internet. When it comes to computers that are used in agribusiness, it is necessary to verify which programs are being used and which ones work in the background. Video and social networking applications, such as YouTube, Instagram and Tiktok, for example, are the consumer champions of the Internet band, damaging the band's distribution to essential activities.
To prevent access from being very slow, check what applications are used and determine which are essential for the progress of activities and which can be dismissed to avoid unnecessary consumption of the rural internet band.
Use mesh routers
The signal repeater is equipment that will help amplify the internet signal within the property. Widely used in large areas, these equipment helps improve range and stabilize the signal , avoiding constant failures and falls.
If you suffer from many falls and range problems, repeaters can be an efficient solution . Position these equipment according to demand and connectivity needs within your farm or property.
Check out the best internet provider for your locality
All the changes we mentioned earlier have allowed it to be able to find more than one company that provides the internet in rural areas . For this reason, before hiring a rural internet for your agribusiness, make sure how to signal these providers to hire the fastest bandwidth and a better download and upload capacity.
This way, you ensure that your agribusiness will have access to the best network in the region and will not have availability problems. This means that the exchange of information during the activities will be much faster and more constant.
Internet access control
Internet access control can help monitor and provide efficient blockage of certain internet content from your agribusiness. Thus, there will be no waste of time on unnecessary websites and there will be no consumption of the internet band available with activities that are unrelated to essential tasks.
Firewall DNS is a technology that can help block these tools and monitor the use of the internet more efficiently and quality. With its help you can ensure more access quality by improving the speed of the internet and blocking unnecessary accesses, and keeps your network more protected.
Rural Internet with Firewall DNS: Benefits for your property
As exploited throughout this article, the rural internet has advanced a lot over the past few years. Currently we can already count on technological solutions that help to give more quality and efficiency for the network.
However, in some regions it is not yet possible to deliver an agile and stable internet, and it is necessary to use resources that help maintain the quality of this network and avoid oscillation. For this reason, internet access control and network monitoring can be critical to ensure more efficiency and higher results within your agribusiness.
Firewall DNS is one of the most complete features today, allowing monitoring and control of access flow within a network. With his help, it is possible to filter input and output traffic and prevent specific or malicious access, keeping a network protected and avoiding cyber attacks that cause very serious problems for companies in all segments.
According to the semi -annual report of the Cryber Intelligence S/A, agribusiness receives about 10% of cyber attacks conducted every year , showing the importance of adopting cyber security solutions. The growth of cybercrime has been happening exponentially, so that companies in all segments should adopt security solutions that help keep their information and networks more protected .
Lumiun Lumiun Box is a robust, DNS -based, business -based and cloud -based tool. With the help of this feature, your agribusiness can provide more security and control of internet access, also increasing productivity.
In addition to all these benefits, Lumiun Box also allows the limitation of internet speed to a group of devices within its agribusiness. Thus, it avoids the consumption of the excess band and maintains a minimum of internet viable for activities that really need quality connection.
In addition to being a complete tool, Lumiun Box will ensure access flow control and efficient monitoring by adding a more complete and efficient security layer to your agribusiness network. This means that the data will be safer and more protected through strategic and assertive internet control.
