Broadband Types

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

• Technology: Uses existing telephone lines (twisted copper pairs) to transmit digital data.
• Speed Range:
  • Download: 1–100 Mbps (depending on distance and DSL variant: ADSL, VDSL).
  • Upload: 1–10 Mbps, usually much slower than download.
• Pros:
  • Widely available (uses existing phone infrastructure).
  • Affordable entry-level broadband.
• Cons:
  • Speed decreases with distance from the provider’s central office.
  • Limited maximum bandwidth compared to newer technologies.
• Best For: Rural or suburban areas where fiber/cable is not yet deployed.

Cable Internet

• Technology: Uses coaxial cables originally designed for cable TV.
• Speed Range:
  • Download: 50 Mbps – 1 Gbps (some providers offer up to 2 Gbps).
  • Upload: 5–50 Mbps (often much lower than download).
• Pros:
  • Faster than DSL.
  • Widely available in urban and suburban areas.
• Cons:
  • Shared bandwidth: speeds can drop during peak hours.
  • Upload speeds are limited.
• Best For: Households needing higher speeds for streaming, gaming, and multiple devices.

Fiber Internet

• Technology: Uses fiber-optic cables that transmit data as light signals.
• Speed Range:
  • Download & Upload: 1–10 Gbps (symmetrical).
  • Experimental networks can reach 100 Gbps+.
• Pros:
  • Fastest speeds available.
  • Symmetrical upload/download.
  • Low latency, highly reliable.
• Cons:
  • Expensive to build and install.
  • Limited availability in rural areas.
• Best For: Heavy users, businesses, and future-proof households.

Satellite Internet

• Technology: Data transmitted via satellites orbiting Earth to ground receivers.
• Speed Range:
  • Download: 25–250 Mbps (Starlink and modern providers).
  • Upload: 5–20 Mbps.
• Pros:
  • Available almost anywhere, even remote areas.
• Cons:
  • High latency (signal travels thousands of km to space).
  • Weather-sensitive.
  • More expensive than DSL/Cable.
• Best For: Remote or rural areas without wired infrastructure.

Mobile Broadband (4G/5G)

• Technology: Uses cellular networks to provide internet access.
• Speed Range:
  • 4G LTE: 10–100 Mbps.
  • 5G: 100 Mbps – 1 Gbps+ (under ideal conditions).
• Pros:
  • Portable, works anywhere with cell coverage.
  • Easy to set up (no cables).
• Cons:
  • Dependent on signal strength and coverage.
  • Data caps may apply.
• Best For: On-the-go users, backup internet, or areas with strong mobile coverage.