What Are The Types Of Internet Connection

The internet has become part and parcel of modern life. It's no coincidence that more than 63% of the global population is already using this technology in one way or another. Other than being a source of information, it’s a crucial element in most communication channels today, especially in remote work and social media. If you’re also an online shopping enthusiast, then that’s another reason to install reliable internet service in your new home.

The internet has become part and parcel of modern life. It's no coincidence that more than 63% of the global population is already using this technology in one way or another. Other than being a source of information, it’s a crucial element in most communication channels today, especially in remote work and social media. If you’re also an online shopping enthusiast, then that’s another reason to install reliable internet service in your new home.   

But it’s important to familiarize yourself with various types of internet connection before commencing the installation process. Keep in mind that every option you’ll get in the market has its pros and cons. Therefore, take your time to research and analyze each of them to see the one that fits your needs. 

That said, here is all you need to know about the most common types of internet connection:  

1. Satellite 

Satellite internet connectivity relies on satellite communications to transfer data. Its operation is pretty much similar to satellite TV. Signals are routed through a satellite in space and sent to a subscriber’s receiver dish. The receiver is often mounted on top of your building or a spot where it can access the sky with as little obstruction as possible.  

Your modem—which is connected to the receiver—converts the incoming signal to a usable internet connection. A satellite internet connection can give you speeds of up to 500 megabits per second depending on the provider. Unfortunately, this is a little slower than other connection types like cable and fiber optics.\

If you’re looking for the fastest type of internet connection, then fiber optic internet is your best bet. The average speed offered by most providers is more than 1,000 megabits per second (1Gbps). It uses fiber optic cables to transfer large amounts of data from the provider to the subscriber’s home. So, what’s its working mechanism? 

The service provider feeds an optical transmitter with electrical signals, which are binary representations of the original data. This transmitter converts them to a corresponding light signal and feeds it to tiny glass filaments (fiber optic cables). The light signal goes through optic receivers at the destination which converts it back to a binary or electrical signal. From this point, you can now connect to a router and enjoy your internet. Of course, the operation of a fiber-optic relay system is more complex than that but these are the main touchpoints.  

3. Cable 

Unlike fiber optics, there is no conversion of binary signals to light or any other form of cable internet connection. The electrical data signals are sent directly to your home through your normal TV service coaxial cable. This cable feeds your modem and you can access the data using an Ethernet cable. You can also connect your router which will allow you to link more devices or broadcast a Wi-Fi signal in your home.  

How does the speed compare to fiber optics? Most cable internet providers offer between 10Mbps and 500Mbps on average. Of course, there are some that exceed this value but they rarely hit the 1Gbps mark like a fiber connection.  

Digital subscriber line (DSL) is another very popular internet connection and it shares many similarities with cable internet. Like cable, DSL transmits electrical signals directly from the provider to the subscriber’s modem. However, it uses copper phone lines rather than cable TV.  

Another notable difference between DSL and cable is the lower speed offered by the former. DSL internet speeds are capped at around 100Mbps, which is several times lower than a typical cable internet connection. It's a great option for those looking for affordable internet service but may not be ideal for heavy users.  

5. Fixed Wireless 

Fixed wireless doesn’t need any physical connection between the provider and the subscriber. Unlike the other options mentioned in this article, all you need is a clear line of sight between the receiver and the main access point.  

The main access point sends radio waves to the receiver which is connected to a modem or router. You can then access the internet either by linking your computer using an Ethernet cable or via your router’s Wi-Fi broadcast. Keep in mind that the receiver needs to be powered at all times for this connection to work.  

Final Verdict 

DSL is probably the most affordable internet connection on the list. However, its average speed may not be ideal for heavy users. If you want faster internet speeds, then fiber, cable, and fixed wireless are your best options in that order. Fiber optics technology is probably the fastest but it’s also quite expensive. So, as you choose the type of internet connection you want, make sure you consider your budget and expected usage.