Internet Connection Types Explained

It’s one thing that internet connections have become so common across the world. These connections have also changed how we deal with the rest of the world. However, not all these internet connections work the same way or offer the same speed. Instead, multiple internet connection types can meet different kinds of network requirements.

In this guide, I have explained the major internet connection types. Before that, we shall explore some basics.

What is the Internet?

You can find many definitions for the Internet depending on how you look at it. I’ve picked something clear and concise.

The Internet refers to a worldwide network of devices that are connected. These devices can use a number of standardized platforms, such as TCP and IP, to access and share information, resources, etc.

Many such protocols are used for delivering services, including video conferencing, email, search engines, streaming, web hosting, telemedicine, eCommerce, and collaboration.

Components Required for Internet Connection

For easy understanding, we can convert internet-related components into two categories.

Essential Hardware Components

From an end-user point of view, an internet connection requires the following hardware components.

Modem Fundamentals

A modem is a fundamental hardware component of an active internet connection. It is designed to convert analog signals into digital signals that your computer/smartphone can understand—and vice versa.

Depending on the internet connection type and requirement, you can find multiple types of modems, such as cable modems, fiber modems, satellite modems, and mobile modems.

Router Specifications

While a modem can convert analog signals to digital ones, you need another device to route all these digital signals to different devices. This is where a router enters the scene. Routers are designed to distribute data across multiple devices in a network.

Different types of routers include wired routers, wireless routers, single-band routers, mobile Wi-Fi hotspot routers, broadband routers, edge routers, and broadband routers.

Network Interface Technologies

It must be clear to you that a modem and a router play an important role in enabling an internet connection at your home or business. However, you need the following network interface technologies to make them work the way you want them to.

• When it comes to connecting devices, options like Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and USB may be used.
• When using Ethernet/Wi-Fi, a device should also have a Network Interface Card, which enables the connection to the network.
• Depending on the size of the network, you may also need additional equipment, such as hubs and routers.

Critical Software Requirements

You also need some software components to enable a smooth internet experience.

Internet Protocol Basics

You can think of internet protocol as a set of rules that allow connected devices to communicate. The two most popular protocols you would come across are Internet Protocol (IP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP).

TCP is designed to streamline the connection and uses a three-way handshake. IP, on the other hand, mostly deals with addressing and routing data packets.

Connection Management Tools

Depending on the size of the network, you may also need connection management tools to keep an internet connection running. If you have a residential connection, these are taken care of by the ISP. However, when building an enterprise network, you may need the following connection management tools on-premises.

• Networking monitoring and management tools
• Load management and balancing systems
• Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol management tools
• Remote Access and Control tools
• Software-defined Networking controls
• Cloud network management tools

As an end-user, however, you may not understand the role of these connection management tools from the surface perspective.

Internet Connection Types: A Comprehensive Guide

Now that you know what the Internet is and the components needed for an Internet connection, I will take you through a comprehensive overview of Internet connection types. These types are covered in no specific order.

#1 Dial-up Connections

Dial-up connections were the norm during the early decades of the Internet. This internet connection relied on the existing telephone infrastructure, and a modem was used to convert telephone signals to digital ones and vice versa.

Since dial-up connections did not need additional infrastructure, setting them up was easier, but users could not access the Internet when the telephone was being used. By today’s standards, the average speed of dial-up connections—up to 56Kbps—was extremely slow.

While it was immensely popular for decades, dial-up connections are non-existent these days.

#2 Satellite Internet

Satellite internet is a relatively older but increasingly popular way to access the internet by making use of the satellites orbiting the earth. Because it does not use any wires, setting up a satellite internet connection is effortless and provides internet access from anywhere around the globe.

It is a popular option in areas where fiber/cable/dial-up connections are unavailable. These connections used to be extremely slow in the beginning, but multiple ISPs like Starlink and Viaset now offer better speeds and latency. Yet, you have relatively lower data caps and speeds of around 100Mbps.

While somewhat quite expensive, satellite internet is becoming popular due to its accessibility.

#3 DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Internet

DSL stands for digital subscriber line, and it used to be a very popular way of connecting to the internet before cable and fiber optic internet became the norm. Because it uses the existing telephone lines for data transmission, it offers minimal setup and costs.

Unlike dial-up, DSL connections do not interfere with phone services, allowing users to access the internet even when the telephone is being used. However, by today’s standards, the speeds were lower at around 100 Mbps, and reliability and performance were a concern, especially for places away from the central office.

AT&T DSL and CenturyLink were popular options, but they were almost replaced by fiber and cable.

#4 Cable Internet

Cable internet remains the most popular internet connection type today and is available in urban, suburban, and some rural areas, especially when there is a home internet user base. Unlike dial-up and DSL, cable internet uses the existing infrastructure of cable TV lines, which use coaxial cables.

This technology brings the prices down, but coaxial cables are capable of delivering up to 1 Gbps of speed in some areas, and the availability is also pretty high. On the other side, the disadvantage could be that because multiple devices are sharing the resources, users may feel lower speed during peak hours.

Cable internet remains a great option and is still being offered by ISPs such as Xfinity and Spectrum.

#5 Fiber-Optic Internet

Fiber-optic internet, also known as fiber internet, makes use of fiber-optic cable to transmit data for internet connections. Compared to other internet connections, fiber-optic internet can offer high speeds up to 1 to 10Gbps. So, these connections are ideal for multipurpose internet demands, like streaming and gaming.

Because fiber-optic cables are fast, this type of internet connection can deliver minimal latency as well. But its coverage is still under development, making them unavailable in rural areas. In some regions, setting up a fiber internet connection can incur upfront costs as well.

In the US, Google Fiber and Verizon Fios are known for their fiber-only internet plans.

#6 Fixed Wireless Internet

Fixed wireless internet is another type of internet connection that uses wireless infrastructure instead of wired ones. Instead of coaxial/telephone cables, these devices will rely on radio signals from nearby mobile phone towers. Depending on the service, FWA Internet may use a 4G LTE or 5G network.

On one hand, this connection does not require physical cables and offers better speeds than satellite and dial-up connections. On the other hand, this is not the most reliable option for tasks like gaming because speed and latency will be affected by physical obstructions on the way.

In the US, Rise broadband and AT&T fixed wireless are great options for you to consider.

#7 Mobile Internet: 5G and LTE

Mobile internet, which uses 5G and LTE connectivity, can also be used to connect your computers to the internet. It is also called mobile hotspot internet because you essentially create a Wi-Fi hotspot from your smartphone. Depending on your device, this wireless network may use 5G, LTE, or 3G connections.

While a Wi-Fi hotspot may not be a fully-fledged internet connection like the one from a Wi-Fi router, it is a low-cost option that does not require any setup of some sort. However, you are bound by increasingly restrictive data gaps and apparent concerns about reliability.

You can use mobile internet from most mobile service providers, including Verizon and T-Mobile.

#8 Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN)

Integrated Service Digital Network was another internet connection method that DSL and cable internet soon replaced. Compared to dial-up, ISDN used to offer higher speeds, but the setup costs were higher. Its limited scalability also had an impact on who could use ISDN.

Even though IDSNs offered decent reliability, the cost-to-performance ratio was lower than the average.

Max Internet Speeds by Connection Type

These days, internet speed must be the primary concern when choosing an internet connection, right? Here’s some data to help you decide.

Comprehensive speed comparison chart

Factors Influencing Internet performance

The following factors would influence internet performance.

• Bandwidth of the connection
• Distance from the ISP
• Number of connected devices
• Shared network load/congestion
• Server location and quality
• Time of the day (peak hours)

How to Know What Type of Internet You Have

Here are three ways to know what type of internet you have:

1. You can check with the Internet Service Provider to understand your Internet plan. In most cases, the company would specify whether you are using cable, fiber, or satellite internet.
2. We have already mentioned the average speeds you can expect from internet connection types. You can compare your speeds with the average speeds to understand the connection you have.
3. Third, you can understand the type of internet connection by looking at the infrastructure. If you have a cable or fiber connection, you can spot a conventional modem. But it won’t be the case for satellite or FWA internet.

These methods will allow you to check whether you have the right internet connection type.

How to Choose the Best Internet Service for Home

Here are some steps to choose the best internet service for your home.

• Understand Your Requirement: You must have a clear idea of what you use the internet connection for. For instance, if you use the connection for casual browsing, normal speeds are okay. But if you need a connection for speed or high-quality media streaming, things are different.
• Availability of Options: Unfortunately, your area may not have all types of internet connections. So, even if you want something, say fiber internet, you may have to settle for coaxial cable internet. It is essential to weigh the pros and cons of each.
• Speed Requirements: It is also good to understand the average download/upload speed you’d need from the connection. This will help you choose the right plan from an ISP.
• Budget: Not everyone can spend hundreds of dollars on an internet connection per month. So, you’d have to check the most affordable option for your needs. It is a good idea to use comparison tools as well as reviews to understand the real-world scenario.
• Hardware Options: Sometimes, ISPs may provide underperforming hardware with high-speed plans. This is an incredible waste of time and resources. So, you should check if the included hardware has what it takes to cater to your internet connectivity needs.

With these ideas in mind, you can select or at least narrow down the best internet service for your home.

Conclusion

I hope this comprehensive guide helped you understand the differences between internet connection types and choose the ideal option for you. In the end, only a few internet connection types are actively used across the world, and it should make the selection process somewhat easier. But make sure you future-proof your purchase to avoid frequent upgrades.