What Kind Of Internet Connection Types Are There?

When you choose an internet connection, it is important to be clear on what kind of connection you want and can afford. There are many different methods of connecting to the internet, and they all have different advantages and disadvantages as well as different prices.

You may be wondering if traditional dial up access point would be enough for your internet connection needs, or if you should choose satellite internet, or cable, or (if available) broadband internet connections like DSL (a digital subscriber line) or fiber optic cable.

Being informed gives you a head start on the process.

My intention in this article is to provide you plenty of facts about the possibilities so you can make an informed choice of internet connection type.

Choosing an internet service provider

When starting a new internet subscription, first you might investigate which internet connection types are even available in your area. Next, it is important to consider your requirements and habits when evaluating the type of internet connection you want.

Questions to ask

Here are some questions to start your thought processes on which type of internet connection you need.

• Do you live in or often visit rural areas?
• Do you work from home regularly and, if so, do you frequently need to participate in video conferencing?
• Do you play games online every night?
• Would upload speeds be a factor for you (i.e. graphic designer or programmer)?
• Are you fond of streamed videos and eager for gigabit speeds?
• Is your family large enough that wireless connection technology would be essential?
• Would you use multiple connected devices?
• Are fiber optic cables available where you are?

As an example, if you download files often or stream a lot of content, you will be better off with some type of broadband connection (that is, a high speed internet connection) so that you can avoid problems with interrupted internet connections.

At the other end of the range, if you only occasionally turn to the internet, it could make financial sense to sign up for a slower connection. If you use the internet very seldom, a slower internet connection (maybe even a dial up connection over regular telephone lines) will save you money.

For those who use the internet more frequently, especially families and power users, keep reading to learn about other options that provide faster internet connections.

Cable modem connections

Cable modems were among the first internet connections, and they remain an option. Cable modems were originally used for cable TV lines, but they can now also be chosen as a basic service when you want to use the internet.

Some small providers have their own networks. You should look for a provider that offers an entire cable network, however, if you want to go for a cable connection for your internet service.

With a cable connection, only one provider can be on the cable at a time. Several providers can use DSL and fiber optic connections at the same time. The maximum download speed with cable is often around 400 Mbps (megabits per second).

If 400 Mbps is not enough, you could try a Connect Box. Some companies offer this or a similar box to increase your internet speed. With such a box you can achieve speeds up to one Gbps (gigabit per second).

DSL internet

DSL Internet stands for Digital Subscriber Line. DSL sometimes is called XDSL to cover the different types. In the past, a telephony subscription required a DSL cable for the basic subscription. Nowadays this is no longer necessary, but the connection is still present.

If you're looking for an internet connection that's quite flexible, DSL is probably a good choice for you. In addition to ADSL (asynchronous DSL, which has different upload speeds and download speeds), there is also a variant called VDSL. You can send much more data via this network.

In addition, there is what is known as pair bonding, which means that two DSL lines are linked together to yield one fast line. This doubles your bandwidth immediately. Also, DSL is usually cheaper than cable. If you also want an internet subscription for ordinary uses, DSL is therefore a good choice.

Fiber optic

These days many people have fiber optic internet connections available, at least near major cities. The fiber line often extends to the district cupboard in your area. It is then taken over by a DSL or cable connection and continues to the households via fiber optic, then terminates in your meter cupboard.

Fiber can provide very high speeds that few consumers actually need. One Gbps is overkill for most individuals.

Fiber internet certainly makes a big difference in data transfer speeds. When you choose cable or DSL, there may be either digital or analog signals. With fiber optic, however, light is used to transfer data, and what is faster than light? The extra speeds involved with fiber internet is noticeable.

Fiber internet is undoubtedly superior to what most people have. This type of internet connection will certainly become more widespread as time goes on.

One final thing to remember is that you must have a fast WiFi router if you use a fiber optic connection, or else it won't be able to keep up with the speeds on the fiber network.

Alternative internet connections

If you don't want to go for cable internet, DSL internet or fiber internet, there are also alternative internet connection types. For example, you can say goodbye to your fixed wireless internet connection and opt for mobile internet access, which can achieve excellent internet speeds with 4G (and, in time, 5G). In addition, you might consider satellite internet access. With a satellite connection, the average connection speed for your internet services is not very fast and you will have to cope with data limits in addition to slower speeds. Depending on your location, it may be helpful to mull over these alternative internet connection types if your local internet service providers offer them.

Internet access choices

An internet connection is within reach for people in most countries. The speed you enjoy on your internet connection is highly dependent on the connection method, which in turn may depend on where you live. You won't get a fiber optic internet connection from your internet service provider in a tiny hamlet far off the beaten path … at least for now. This should change soon, because the internet can provide important opportunities, and everyone deserves access to the internet. In many places, however, the choice is yours to make.