But how much money is too much? Are online companies cashing in on our virtual weakness? Knowing that we need this access, they’re jacking up the speeds along with the monthly prices. But how long will we continue to pay?

In an ideal world, Google will have provided free internet to the world. While this may seem far-fetched, it’s a process that’s already begun to take place. (Google Fiber is currently only available in Kansas City, though expansions are in the plan.)

Second best-case scenario, we share internet with our neighbors, splitting the bills. (But in this case, there would be no “peak hours” to slow service down, and routers can reach all corners of the house.)

Finally, we’re left with the status quo: either paying an outrageous monthly fee, or buying a $4 coffee for a day’s worth of service. And while service is expensive either way, there’s much to be said for the convenience of having internet in your own home.

This, however, is where the companies get us good.

“Because they can”

Take a look at your most recent internet bill and its break down of fees. If you have service for a cell phone provider, chances are you’re paying a monthly “service charge” just for owning a hot spot. Averaging $20+ per month, this fee accounts for no actual internet, just the ability to access it. Other companies may charge a rental price for routers, or a maintenance charge – even if you already own the router. Additional fees can occur from overage charges, sign-up fees, cancellations fees, set-up expenses, or even when accessing at the “wrong” time of day.

Rural living generally offers up the most added fees, whether or not the area is hard to access. Because cable access or broadband isn’t readily available, these residents are subject to strict pricing options and fees. For instance, satellite internet allots a certain amount of usage, half of which can only be used during the middle of the night. Unless a night owl, that means you’re paying for twice of what you can reasonably use.

However, until we find a reasonably priced option (come on, Google, dig faster), internet providers will continue to overcharge for their services. And we will continue to pay.

The post The internet is overpriced first appeared on Techerator.

Midcontinent Communications has launched MidcoNet Xstream® Wideband to over 250,000 users in the upper-Midwest.  MidcoNet Xstream® Wideband will provide users with 100 Mbps downloads and 15 Mbps uploads, speeds far exceeding other ISPs in the region where 3 Mbps is the average.  Recent upgrades to digital cable and DOCSIS 3.0 technology have made these speeds possible.

“MidcoNet Xstream® Wideband is ultimately a shift in technology,” says Jon Pederson, vice president of technology at Midcontinent Communications. “Data expansion provides the capacity and speed necessary to view rich Internet content, from streaming video to online gaming, concurrently on multiple devices throughout the home.”

Midcontient recognizes that the industry is changing and that stable, high-speed internet has become an important part of our lives.

“The demand for streaming online content is skyrocketing,” says Pat McAdaragh, president and CEO of Midcontinent Communications. “The rate of Internet usage increased 116 percent last year and has increased more than 300 percent since 2009. Speed is important, but with multiple devices connected to the Internet, capacity is essential. MidcoNet Xstream® Wideband delivers both the speed and capacity to meet customers’ needs.”

Speeds available to residents are as follows:

• MidcoNet Xstream® Wideband 3.0 will offer up to 100 Mbps downloads and 15 Mbps uploads – $104.95 / month
• MidcoNet Xstream® Wideband 2.0 will offer up to 50 Mbps downloads and 10 Mbps uploads – $64.95 / month
• MidcoNet Xstream® Wideband 1.0 will offer up to 30 Mbps downloads and 5 Mbps uploads – $44.95 / month

“At Midcontinent our goal is to stay ahead of customer demand and to deploy the most appropriate technology to insure an outstanding customer experience now and well into the future. That, at its core, is MidcoNet Xstream®,” says Pederson.

You have made me one happy internet user, Mr Pederson.

Midcontinent Communications is the Upper Midwest’s leading provider of cable television, telephone, broadband Internet and cable advertising services for approximately 250,000 residential and business customers throughout the North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota and is a 50%-50% partnership between Midcontinent Media, Inc. and Comcast Corporation.

What are your thoughts on the launch of this high-speed internet?  Will you be signing up?  Let us know by commenting below!

The post 100 Mbps Broadband Internet Coming to North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota first appeared on Techerator.