A Guide to Internet Connections Types: Which Is Suitable for Your Home?

Shopping for the internet can be hard enough as it is. You’ll see promotional offers left and right, which makes it hard to choose the right internet provider for your needs. However, there is one factor that always stays constant, no matter what internet type you choose. And it’s the connection.

Internet providers use various ways to connect you to the vast world of the internet, and we'll look at some of the connection types they use. So, let’s dive in!

Types of Internet Connections and How They Work

When looking for an internet connection, you’ll usually see fiber and cable internet options being mentioned the most. However, there are some other options you should keep in mind, depending on your location, budget, and requirements.

Let's take a look at some of the internet connection types, the benefits they offer, and some of the top providers.

Fiber Internet

Fiber optic internet is currently the best internet option you can go for. It uses fiber optic cables which can transmit data packets using light through thin glass or plastic strands.

Data sent through fiber is around 70% of the speed of light. This allows ultra-fast internet speeds, which generally aren’t possible with other connection types. Fiber allows for symmetrical internet speeds, meaning that users get the same upload and download speeds.

Fiber optic cables are less susceptible to weather conditions than other types of cables. However, fiber internet doesn’t have a proper infrastructure yet, which is why it’s not widely available in most areas. Fiber internet is also generally more expensive compared to other connection types, making it a less viable option for some users.

Cable Internet

This is one of the most common connection types available in the U.S. right now, mainly because it uses the already existing cable TV infrastructure. This means that anyone who has access to cable TV can access cable internet.

While cable internet is widely available compared to fiber internet, it's less reliable compared to fiber. Cable wires can be underground, or over ground, meaning that they are more susceptible to weather conditions.

However, although cable internet generally has a speed limit of up to 1 Gbps, it's a great option for most households since it can be a lot cheaper than fiber internet options. We generally recommend cable internet for most people since it strikes the perfect balance between cost and features.

5G Internet

Mobile type is generally used for phones but speeds have improved and technology has become more reliable, making 5G a great internet option for home internet.

This is a better internet option if you don’t have proper cable or fiber infrastructure but good cell reception. 5G internet is generally great for home internet, but it has one limitation: you get limited data.

A lot of mobile providers also offer 5G home internet, which can often be bundled with your current mobile plan. This makes it a great way to get internet while saving some cost. Its availability is a bit limited. While the 5G rollout continues, you should be able to find reliable 4G and LTE in your area.

DSL Internet

Digital Subscriber Line, or DSL internet, works similarly to cable internet but uses copper phone lines. It works like dial-up internet; the only difference is that DSL doesn’t cause issues with your phone line.

DSL is best for rural areas where people often want an affordable and reliable internet connection. While DSL internet doesn't offer fast internet speeds like some other options in this list, it offers reliability at a low price.

If you already don’t have phone lines in your area, then it generally isn’t a good idea to install them for DSL.

Satellite Internet

Satellite internet is the type of internet that's available all around the U.S. This is because this type of connection doesn't rely on wires for internet connectivity. Instead, it uses a mounted dish to connect to satellites orbiting the Earth.

It’s generally slower compared to other connection types and often gets disconnected if weather conditions aren’t suitable. You can also expect to pay more for satellite internet compared to other options.

You’ll also experience higher latency with satellite internet, which means that this usually won’t be a good option for gamers or streamers. However, this is a good internet type to get if you don’t have any other option in your area.

Which Internet Connection Is Suitable for Your Home?

There are a lot of factors you should consider when choosing an internet connection for your home. Generally, you should look to get fiber or cable internet for your home, depending on your internet usage.

Fiber is great if you need a connection that offers fast symmetrical speeds with no data caps. However, cable is the ideal choice for most households with moderate internet usage. 5G internet is the right fit for someone who needs internet on the go.

If there are no other options available in your area, we recommend getting DSL internet since it’s much more reliable compared to satellite internet, which should be great if you’re looking for internet in rural areas.

Frequently Asked Questions