Understanding different internet connection technologies helps you choose the right service for your needs and know what to expect from your connection. Each type has unique characteristics affecting speed, reliability, and availability.
| Type | Speed Range | Latency | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber Optic | 100-10,000 Mbps | Very Low (1-20 ms) | Everything, especially heavy users |
| Cable | 25-1,000 Mbps | Low (10-50 ms) | General home use, streaming |
| DSL | 5-100 Mbps | Moderate (20-70 ms) | Light users, rural areas |
| 5G/Fixed Wireless | 50-1,000 Mbps | Low-Moderate (20-50 ms) | Areas without wired options |
| Satellite | 12-150 Mbps | High (500-800 ms) | Remote areas only |
| Dial-Up | Up to 0.056 Mbps | High (100-200 ms) | Emergency backup only |
Technology: Uses light signals through thin glass or plastic fibers to transmit data at incredibly high speeds.
Speed: 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps
Latency: 1-20 ms (excellent)
Fiber optic cables use pulses of light to carry data. Because light travels so fast and fiber cables have minimal interference, they provide the fastest internet speeds available. Data is converted from electrical signals to light at one end and back to electrical signals at your home.
Best for: Power users, large households, 4K/8K streaming, online gaming, video conferencing, content creators, anyone who wants the absolute best performance
Availability: Growing rapidly but still mainly in cities and suburbs. Check providers like Verizon Fios, Google Fiber, AT&T Fiber, and local fiber providers.
Technology: Uses the same coaxial cables that deliver cable television to provide high-speed internet.
Speed: 25-1,000 Mbps
Latency: 10-50 ms (good)
Cable internet uses a modem to send and receive data over coaxial cables. The DOCSIS standard (currently DOCSIS 3.1) enables multi-gigabit speeds. Cable networks are shared among neighbors, which can cause slowdowns during peak usage times.
Best for: General home use, streaming, moderate gaming, households with 3-5 users, most typical internet activities
Availability: Very widespread. Major providers include Comcast/Xfinity, Spectrum, Cox, Mediacom, and Optimum.
Technology: Uses existing telephone lines to deliver internet without tying up your phone line.
Speed: 5-100 Mbps (ADSL), up to 100+ Mbps (VDSL)
Latency: 20-70 ms (moderate)
DSL technology splits your phone line frequency into separate channels for voice and data. ADSL (Asymmetric DSL) provides faster downloads than uploads. VDSL (Very-high-bit-rate DSL) offers faster speeds but only works over shorter distances.
Best for: Light internet users, email and browsing, single users, areas where cable/fiber unavailable, basic streaming
Availability: Very widespread, especially in rural areas. Providers include AT&T, CenturyLink, Frontier, and Windstream.
Technology: Uses radio signals to deliver internet wirelessly from nearby towers to your home.
Speed: 50-1,000+ Mbps (5G), 25-100 Mbps (4G LTE)
Latency: 20-50 ms (good for 5G), 50-100 ms (4G LTE)
An outdoor or indoor receiver picks up wireless signals from cell towers or fixed wireless transmitters. 5G home internet is rapidly expanding as cellular networks improve. Fixed wireless uses dedicated point-to-point connections rather than cellular networks.
Best for: Areas without wired options, renters, quick internet setup, households near 5G towers
Availability: Growing rapidly. Major providers: T-Mobile Home Internet, Verizon 5G Home, AT&T Fixed Wireless, Starry Internet.
Technology: Uses satellites orbiting Earth to provide internet access anywhere with a clear view of the sky.
Speed: 12-150 Mbps (Starlink up to 200+ Mbps)
Latency: 500-800 ms (traditional), 20-40 ms (LEO like Starlink)
Traditional satellite internet uses geostationary satellites 22,000 miles above Earth. Data travels to the satellite and back, causing high latency. New Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites like Starlink operate much closer (340 miles), dramatically reducing latency.
Best for: Rural areas with no other options, remote locations, RVs and mobile homes, temporary installations
Availability: Nationwide and beyond. Providers: Starlink, HughesNet, Viasat.
Technology: Uses your smartphone or dedicated hotspot device to share cellular data connection with other devices.
Speed: 10-50 Mbps (4G LTE), 100-1,000+ Mbps (5G)
Latency: 30-100 ms
Best for: Travel, emergency backup, temporary internet needs, light browsing on the go
1st Choice: Fiber (if available) - Best all-around performance
2nd Choice: Cable - Good balance of speed and availability
3rd Choice: 5G Home Internet - If cable unavailable
Low latency is crucial. Choose: Fiber > Cable > 5G > DSL > Satellite (avoid traditional satellite)
Based on availability: Fiber (rare) > Fixed Wireless > 5G Home > DSL > Starlink > Traditional Satellite
DSL or basic cable plans offer the best value for light usage. Look for promotional pricing on cable internet.
Upload speed matters. Choose fiber for symmetric speeds, or cable gigabit plans with higher upload tiers.
The next WiFi standard promises speeds up to 46 Gbps and improved reliability. Expected to become mainstream in 2024-2025.
Some providers now offer 10 Gbps residential service in select cities, though most home equipment can't yet utilize these speeds.
Companies like Starlink, Amazon's Project Kuiper, and OneWeb are launching thousands of satellites to provide global high-speed internet.
As 5G networks mature and coverage expands, wireless home internet will become a more viable alternative to wired connections.
To find out what's available at your address:
Remember that availability can vary significantly even within the same ZIP code. Just because your neighbor has fiber doesn't guarantee you do.