The internet is among the most important utilities in any household. It proudly stands in the same ranks as electricity, water, and gas. This is because the internet enables us to perform almost every single task in our lives with greater comfort and convenience.
While there are a number of great internet service providers in the country to choose from, such as Spectrum internet, AT&T internet, Mediacom internet, and many others like them, one also has to decide what type of internet connection they want before they subscribe.
For your assistance, we will be discussing all the types of broadband internet connections and what are some of the advantages and disadvantages of these connections.
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Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
DSL internet is probably the most common form of the internet connection used throughout the country. The connection runs over telephone network, through which users are able to enjoy constant and high-speed internet connections all the time.
Pros
- This form of connection is available in most of the areas.
- It is an affordable option when looking for an internet service.
- Almost every internet service provider offers this form of connection so you can take your pick of the litter.
Cons
- The primary concern with every DSL internet connection is that even though the connection is highly reliable, you don’t get to enjoy phenomenal speeds as offered by other types of connection.
Cable
Cable internet is another great option for you to choose as it runs on the same coaxial cables as your cable TV. The service can easily be acquired from your cable TV service provider, thus allowing you to take advantage of bundled deals as well.
Pros
- Cable internet is a good option if you are into high-speed gaming as it offers blazing fast speeds.
- It is a reliable option as you don’t face frequent disconnections or poor speeds.
Cons
- Cable internet is a bit expensive than DSL internet and it is not available in rural or remote areas.
- It is still slower than other forms of the internet such as fiber and also you have to face speed issues during peak hours as the internet bandwidth is shared throughout an area.
Satellite
Satellite internet is the type of connection that does not rely on stationary infrastructures as it forms its connection via a satellite orbiting in space. This type of connection is easily available throughout the country and is a great option for people residing in rural areas where there aren’t many other options.
Pros
- The selling point of this form of internet connection is its availability. You can connect to this internet even in the furthest corners of the country.
- You don’t need to rely on any form of wires or hardware to connect to the internet.
Cons
- On the downside, satellite internet is not as fast as a DSL internet connection since there is no fixed infrastructure.
- Extreme weather conditions may also affect your connection speeds and in the worst-case scenario you might not have any internet at all.
Fiber
Fiber internet is the most reliable and the fastest form of internet connection with minimal latencies and high bandwidths. The connection runs via fiber optic cables and has the potential of reaching download speeds up to more than 900 Mbps.
Pros
- If the speed of your internet connection is what matters to you, then fiber internet is the one you shoulf.
- Even during peak hours or high load on the network, the speed of your connection will not be adversely affected.
Cons
- Unfortunately, fiber internet may not be as easily available as DSL or other forms of internet.
- Also, such a fancy connection also demands a heavy monthly subscription from its subscribers.
Wireless
Wireless internet connections are almost similar to DSL or Fiber internet connections. The connection does run through a wired network up to a wireless radio transmitter. After that, consumers connect to it using Wi-Fi available on their devices.
Pros
- As the name suggests as well, you can easily connect to the internet from any corner of your home as long as you are in the transmitting range; you do not need to connect via a wire.
- Multiple devices can connect to the router without anyone having to disconnect from the connection.
Cons
- The problem with a wireless connection is that it can be targeted by intruders if they are within the transmitting range.
- Also, depending on the distance you are at from the transmitter, signal strength will variate, which further affects your internet speed.
Broadband over PowerLines (BPL)
BPL is a technology that enables a connection to be formed over power lines, which creates a relatively faster and reliable internet connection. The technology functions similar to a DSL connection.
Pros
- Power lines are present in almost every corner of the world, thus deploying it is much easier.
- Also, this would create a much cheaper and simpler internet option as significant infrastructure and deployment costs would be avoided.
Cons
- Despite its potential, this form of connection is still rare and unpopular throughout the United States.
- Since the connection is running on power lines, voltage can impact the internet connection.
Summing It Up
These are the major types of broadband internet connections that you can chooe from. While each has its own advantages and disadvantages, all of them are essential in their own respective areas.
