Not all that long ago, dial-up was the only type of internet connection available. It was painfully slow, and many people remember its strange tones with about as much fondness as they have for nails on a chalkboard. Besides that, it was notoriously unreliable, and being forced to choose between making phone calls and using the internet was a maddening experience.
All that is in the past at this point, though. Dial up has been weeded out, and its successors offer a number of advantages. That being said, choosing the right internet connection for you isn’t necessarily a simple process. Several types of connections are now available, and each one has its own benefits and disadvantages. Read on to learn more about your options and which one may best meet your needs.
Fiber-Optic Internet
Fiber-optic is considered the fastest internet connection available. It has low latency when compared to some other types of connections, and it’s great for streaming and gaming. It’s highly reliable as well. On the other hand, it can be more expensive than other types of connections, and it’s not available in all areas. It’s spreading rapidly, but there are many areas that still don’t have this option.
Additionally, if your home or business isn’t already set up for fiber-optic internet, certain modifications may need to be made before you can take advantage of it. That may include digging a small trench through your yard to run the fiber-optic cable from the main line to your house or business, installing an optical network terminal outside, and installing an additional wall outlet inside. Those requirements vary depending on your service provider and other factors.
Cable Internet
Cable internet is also a common choice. In fact, it’s one of the most popular options, and it’s available to almost 90 percent of the nation according to some reports. It’s fairly reliable though not quite as much so as fiber-optic internet. It’s also fast enough to meet most people’s needs, but it tends to slow down during peak usage times. It’s not readily available in rural areas, though, so it’s not an option for everyone.
DSL
DSL internet is also among the most popular choices. It uses existing phone lines, but it’s a far cry from dial-up. It’s faster and more reliable, and it allows you to use the internet and make calls from landline phones at the same time if you still happen to use landlines. You’ll have a dedicated line as well, so you won’t have to share bandwidth with your neighbors. DSL can also be less costly than other types of connections. On the downside, it’s not as fast or reliable as some of the other modern connections. Still, it’s available in more areas than cable and fiber-optic internet.
5G
Another option is 5G, and it’s gaining popularity. It has the speed some people are looking for, but it’s not as widely available as certain other options. It’s not necessarily the most reliable connection, either, and it’s susceptible to interference from buildings and other obstacles.
Satellite Internet
Finally, there’s satellite internet. It’s available to virtually everyone, and it doesn’t require towers. That makes it a great choice for people in rural areas where towers may be few and far between. It’s not always as fast as some of its counterparts, and it’s not necessarily reliable in bad weather. It may be more expensive as well. Regardless, its widespread availability make it not only a good choice but for some people, the only option.
Choosing Your Internet Connection
Different types of internet connections are available these days. They all have their benefits, but they have a few drawbacks as well. Think about the points mentioned here to help you decide which option might best meet your needs.