With the advancement in technology, choosing what type of internet connection to get has become extremely difficult. When looking for an ideal service provider, you might feel a little overwhelmed by the range of different prices, speeds, packages, and bundle deals, which are currently being offered in the market. Nowadays, it is extremely hard to know what to choose and how to choose the best internet service.
Cable, DSL, Satellite or Fiber – all these types of services come with their own pros and cons. While cable and DSL connections are easy to find, they do not offer high bandwidth. Fiber, on the other hand, offers high-speed internet but is rare as well as expensive. Satellite internet is widely available but is known for its poor speed. The more you know about these internet types, the better it is because this information will facilitate you to make an informed decision regarding your internet requirement.
So, let me walk you through all the available options in the market and then you can choose the one that best suits your needs.
Cable Internet:
The local cable provider in your area provides Cable internet through coaxial wires, which connect with a modem. Due to the high bandwidth of these wires, cable internet can deliver better speed than DSL and satellite internet. However, cable internet providers offer the same service to all your neighbourhood, which means that the people living nearby are also using the same cable internet service. That is why, you might experience slow internet service during peak hours because more people are using the service, which is shared.
Satellite Internet:
Satellite internet uses a satellite dish, which is installed on the rooftop of your house. This dish signals a satellite that is in outer space, which then transfers the information to your provider’s hub. After that, the signals are beamed back to your house so that you can access the desired website. This is quite a lengthy process and often brings latency. Thankfully, this service recently got updated and users do not have to wait for long before having access to a site. This service is widely available and is great for people who live in remote or rural areas where there is no cable and fiber internet.
DSL Internet:
Just like a dial-up connection, DSL also uses phone cables but at a much higher frequency than voice. A dial-up connection ties up your home phone lines, which means while you are using the internet, you cannot use your phone. However, DSL does not interfere with your home phone and offers better speed than those old dial-up connections. Many service providers still offer this service because it is affordable and people are fond of services they can easily avail.
Fiber-Optic Internet:
Business fiber optic internet offers lightning-fast internet speeds. Fiber-optic cords are formed with flexible fiber, either plastic or glass which is why it is rare to find. While cable and DSL connections use analog signals which are later converted into digital signals for your computer, fiber-optic lines use digital signals all the way. This means that there is no delay, which is why signals are transmitted in the blink of an eye. However, fiber-optic internet is not widely available. You should consider yourself lucky if you are one of those people who have this amazing service in your area.
Now that you know about the types of internet services available in the market, let us discuss the factors that you should keep in mind before purchasing one.
Speed
First of all, you need to evaluate the amount of speed you need for your home. If multiple users will be using the service, then it is better to get high-speed internet service. Plus, if you have a good internet speed, you will be able to stream and download HD movies from the internet to fulfill your entertainment needs.
Bandwidth
Once you have an estimate regarding your speed requirement, it is important to measure the bandwidth that you will be consuming in a month. You certainly do not want to pay for something that you are not using. So, if you are a heavy user, go for the unlimited option. However, if you are a moderate user who just has to send out emails and check social media updates, then it is better to take a limited bandwidth deal.
Security
Security is a major concern for most of the users these days. Due to the growing cyber-attacks, having a secure network has become a need for many. Therefore, you should choose a service that comes with a complete security suite like this one. Protect all your online activities and have peace of mind knowing that all your devices are safe from the online threats.
That is all. I hope, after reading this article, you get a good understanding of the internet connection that suits you the best.