The internet type you use has a direct relationship with the internet speeds and oftentimes, the consistency of the connectivity you will experience. Thus, you should know what internet type you want. Before subscribing to an internet plan, just like deciding your budget is important, it is also equally important to know the internet type that would suit your connectivity needs. Once you are clear about the internet type, it becomes easier to select an ISP. For instance, once you are sure you want cable internet, you will be more confident to opt for Spectrum or Xfinity internet. Similarly, HughesNet can be a preferable choice if you are looking for a reliable satellite internet connection. Therefore we recommend you to have a look at these various internet types and understand their difference to make a better decision while choosing the perfect internet plan. Dive in!
Differences between Various Internet Types
When it comes to determining the type of internet connection, it is important to understand the difference between various types of connection. There are many ways to access the internet on laptops or mobiles. Some of them are as under:
Mobile Internet
Most of the cell phone providers offer internet facilities with impressive speeds and reliability. You can access the internet using a mobile phone. Mobile internet connections can offer good speeds at more affordable prices. With the emergence of 5G, the mobile internet is becoming more popular for carrying online routines with better convenience. Since with your smartphone, you can perform your online activities seamlessly with super-fast mobile broadband, even if you are out and away.
Dial-Up Connections
Dial-up connections are also a good choice to make. It is a cheaper and slower internet type, that has been widely used for internet accessibility. DSL uses phone lines to connect to the internet. A dial-up connection is a thing of the past though since a dial-up modem converts the digital signals into analog signals. Analog signals are inefficient as compared to digital signals. And placing a call might disconnect the internet.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line or DSL makes use of telephone lines to transfer digital data. Unlike dial-up, while using a DSL connection, you can use also talk on the phone. DSL services are still being offered today, especially in the rural areas where cable or fiber internet infrastructure is usually missing. It is a cheaper form of internet and works well for lighter online activities like smoother browsing for instance.
Satellite Internet
Satellite internet makes use of satellite dishes that are attached to the house rooftop, to capture signals that travel from the orbiting satellite. Considering that there is an immense distance between the orbiting satellites and the dishes mounted on rooftops, satellite internet users can experience more latency. This makes satellite connections less fit for gaming or other such activities that require real-time response. However, it is the most widely accessible internet type that extends coverage in most of the remote areas too.
Cable Internet
Cable internet is probably the most common internet type that has widespread usage. It is faster and also relatively affordable. The cable industry also offers different bundling services where you get the chance to combine the internet with cable TV and/phone services. Cable lines can be used for multiple purposes to serve your connectivity, entertainment, and telephonic needs. It is readily available, reliable, affordable, and fast. You can find a variety of speed options as high as 1 Gbps. Another aspect that makes cable internet more popular is the fact that it has better coverage, especially as compared to fiber internet.
Fiber Internet
Fiber internet makes use of the recent fiber optic technology to deliver blazingly fast internet speeds. It makes use of light rather than cables, to transfer internet signals. Once it has reached its destination, the light signal is converted to a data signal at the receiving end. Though fiber optic internet is the fastest among all, it can be pricey and has coverage in very limited areas. As compared to cable internet fiber internet can send data to much longer distances without any latency issues.
Final Words
The aforementioned discussion gives you the basics of all the main internet types including wired and wireless. Depending on what is available in your area and the budget you are planning to spend; you can choose the best one for yourself.
