Determining the best internet service providers and services for you is often a practice in balancing the local options, the price points and your needs. Someone who lives in a rural area with limited downloading and streaming needs will likely have a different internet service than someone who lives in an urban area and shares their network with multiple high-demand internet users.
For most people, the starting point when considering what type of internet connection to use is learning about the options available in the area. Although there has been a great deal of expansion, there are still limitations—especially when it comes to services like cable or fiber internet that depend on the installation of cables.
Once you know what internet connection choices are available in your area, the next step is to understand the pros and cons of the different types.
Types of Internet Connections
Fiber Internet
Delivered by fiber optic cables, fiber internet broadband (also known as fiber broadband) can deliver significantly faster internet speeds than traditional cable or DSL. It’s also more reliable than other types of internet connections: Unlike copper wire cables, fiber optic cables won’t get distorted when transmitting data over long distances. Fiber internet is often reasonably priced, as well.
So, why doesn’t everyone use fiber broadband? Geographic location is still a major constraint. According to a 2022 report from Fiber Broadband Association, 60.5 million American homes can access fiber internet—which translates to 43%. Although that number is steadily growing, that leaves the majority of people searching for another type of internet connection.
Pros
- Many fiber internet plans offer speeds of 1,000 Mbps.
- The strong signal and limited interference make fiber incredibly reliable.
- Fiber optic lines are very secure.
Cons
- It’s not available to the majority of households.
- It costs more on average than plans with slower internet speeds.
- It’s faster than most people need, so paying more may be unnecessary.
Cable Internet
A popular type of broadband internet, a cable connection offers high-speed internet using cable television infrastructures—which makes it available to anyone who has (or could have) cable TV. Due to its widespread availability and speed, cable internet is one of the most popular connection types. Cable internet plans often offer download speeds in excess of 100 Mbps, which is more than sufficient for most needs.
Although cable internet is highly reliable, even during extreme weather events, the network may slow down when it becomes congested. This is more likely to be an issue during times of the day when more people are accessing the internet, such as in the evening when your neighbors sit down to stream shows or movies.
Pros
- High connection speeds are at reasonable prices.
- It’s more reliable than wireless internet.
- You can save money on plans when you bundle with cable services.
Cons
- Some cable internet providers are more reputable than others.
- Congested networks can result in slower speeds.
- There may be hidden fees with plans, so read the fine print.
5G Home Internet
Fifth Generation or “5G” is a form of wireless internet that uses a receiver to get an internet signal at your home. Unlike 5G mobile plans, this has a fixed location—meaning you can’t use the internet when out of the house. Current 5G providers offer a range of speeds at good prices.
However, there is one significant constraint that limits 5G’s popularity: It is only available in select regions, which mostly includes major cities at this point. There are also limited providers and wireless internet is less reliable than internet that uses cable. Although, to be fair, 5G is still quite reliable.
Pros
- It’s available through popular mobile plans and can be bundled for savings.
- High speeds are available at competitive prices.
- There is a large network capacity.
Cons
- Although access is expanding, 5G is mostly limited to major cities.
- It is at greater risk of hacking.
- It’s only available through a few providers.
DSL Internet
Similar to cable, Digital Subscriber Line or “DSL” internet is a type of broadband that works through phone lines. This makes it an attractive option for people in more rural areas where there is a good network of phone lines. And, unlike dial-up services, you can use a landline and the internet simultaneously.
The downside to DSL is that it is comparatively slower than other types of connections. Also, if you don’t already have a phone line at your home, it probably isn’t worthwhile to install one just for the sake of DSL.
Pros
- There are no data caps.
- There are budget-friendly prices.
- The physical cables are reliable and secure.
Cons
- It’s slower than many other types of internet service.
- The dated cables may be less reliable.
- IT depends on a phone line.
Satellite Internet
A type of wireless internet that uses a dish to receive a satellite signal, satellite internet has virtually nationwide availability. Although it cannot compete with connection types like fiber when it comes to speed and reliability, satellite remains a great option for anyone who lives in a rural area or place otherwise disconnected from physical cable lines.
In most cases, you can expect to pay more for satellite to receive the same internet speed as a comparable cable, DSL, 5G or fiber plan. Need more than 100 Mbps? Satellite probably isn’t for you.
Pros
- Available throughout 99% of the United States
- Increasing number of options is driving down the price
- A big improvement over dial-up for rural areas
Cons
- Limited speed at higher prices
- Less reliable
- Most plans have data limits
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which internet connection type is best?
If you define “the best” as the type of internet connection that offers the most speed with great reliability, then fiber is the way to go. However, because fiber remains limited, the next-best choice that is more widely available is cable internet.
Does anyone use dial-up internet?
Once the gold standard for residential internet connections, dial-up service is all but extinct these days due to the widespread availability of faster, more reliable options.
What is the fastest type of internet?
With speeds that can easily top 1,000 Mbps, fiber internet is the fastest type available. In contrast, most other types of internet top out around 100 Mbps, which makes fiber 10 times faster.
How do I know my connection type?
If you aren’t sure which type of internet connection you have, take a look at the hardware in your home, such as the modem and router. Depending on the type of cables and/or the satellite the hardware is connected to, you should be able to determine whether you have fiber, cable, DSL, 5G or satellite internet. If you are still in doubt, you can contact your provider to clear up any questions.
