No household in 2024 can be without internet; however, picking the internet connection type for your home seems like a daunting task. Fortunately, this choice is not nearly as difficult as it appears. All you need to do is understand the basic principles of each connection. You need to know its strengths, its downsides, and the conditions under which this choice is a no-brainer. With that in mind and without further ado, here are some of the different types of internet connections and how you can choose the best for your home.
1.DSL Internet:
The strongest selling point of DSL internet is that it uses existing phone lines to deliver the internet. In other words, the infrastructure is already there, and you can get this internet in any area where you have phone coverage. This means that the rule applies to the majority of urban and rural areas, and you may only lack it in the most remote parts (the depth of the forest or a deserted island).
The downsides are quite prominent, as well. First of all, it’s significantly slower than most other entries on this list. Sure, it’s faster than its predecessors, but no one uses them any longer. Moreover, the infrastructure is pretty old, which further affects the services that are delivered.
The best reasons to shoe on this internet are (if we’re completely honest) the absence of other options. This connection is a bit slower, but it can be good enough for people who mostly use their internet for social media and low-res YouTube videos. Plus, you can pay it together with your phone bill.
2.Cable Internet:
Cable internet is delivered through the infrastructure of cable companies, the same as what is used to deliver your cable TV service. In this way, it’s similar to DSL internet. It also means that it’s available wherever you can find cable internet. What’s different is the fact that it is a lot faster and more reliable (up to 10 times faster). The infrastructure is also a bit newer (since cable TV is younger than phone services in almost all areas).
The downside is the fact that it’s a shared medium. This means that, during the peak service, your bandwidth might be throttled. Late in the evening, over weekends, and during holidays, when everyone’s at home using the internet, you’ll notice a significant drop in the connection speed and reliability. Not to mention that these ISP services are notorious for bandwidth throttling for other reasons, as well.
The best reason to get cable internet is if you don’t have fiber internet in your area. Cable internet is also a bit less expensive. Moreover, it’s just fast enough for most things you want to use the internet for in a residential household.
3. Fiber Internet:
The fiber internet connection is the option that you should pick without thinking about it, as long as it’s available in your region. It’s the fastest, the most reliable, and has the newest infrastructure. The internet speeds it provides will exceed anything your household needs, which will make it scalable, as well.
The downsides are simple. First of all, it’s slightly more expensive. Keep in mind that it’s slightly more expensive but provides a lot more. It’s like if someone were to sell you an apartment building at the cost of a bit more luxurious apartment. Yes, it’s that kind of service discrepancy! The biggest downside, however, is the fact that you don’t have it everywhere. This is a relatively new technology, and it doesn’t use a pre-existing infrastructure.
The biggest downside with fiber internet is the fact that you can’t get it everywhere. If you live in an area with fiber internet, this is the connection you should go for, and it’s not even a debate-worthy question.
4. Satellite Internet:
Satellite internet is the best solution for connectivity where there’s no other type of infrastructure present or available. It’s your go-to in remote rural areas and remote areas in general. In the modern day and age, satellite internet coverage is amazing, which means that this option is always on the table. It’s great for people who want to get off the grid to still stay on the grid.
The downsides are that, in general, satellite internet has more latency, and data caps are often imposed, limiting the amount of high-speed data that users can get access to each month. On top of this, the connection sent this way can be affected by the weather, which is… unfortunate, to say the least.
If your home or your business is located in a remote spot, satellite internet is your best bet and your safest choice. More importantly, it’s probably your only choice. With this in mind, “choosing” it might not really be a choice at all.
5.Fixed Wireless Internet:
A fixed wireless internet provides the internet like a smaller-scale satellite internet. No, before you ask, it’s nothing like a portable wi-fi router. You have a receiver, but unlike a satellite connection (which you can get anywhere on the planet), it needs to be in a relative vicinity of the base station that’s emitting the signal. It’s relatively inexpensive, available in remote areas (where laying cables would be difficult), and it’s pretty simple to install.
The downsides are that you still need a clear line of site between the base station and the receiver. This could be difficult since there could be buildings, trees, and other physical barriers between them. Then, there are such issues as weather conditions (like heavy rain and snow) that could affect the quality of the connection. Also, keep in mind that it’s not as widely available as DSL and cable.
Most often, this type of connection is used in rural communities and suburban areas. Here, the traditional wired connection will not be as feasible/available, so you’ll have to make do.
Wrap up:
In the end, the best internet connection is the fastest and most reliable that you can find. Sure, different connections have different prices, but these prices are never proportional to the bandwidth, speed, and reliability that you get. If you have fiber internet available, you should just go for it. If not, pick cable, then DSL. Both satellite and fixed wireless connection are situational for areas where you have no other options available.
Disclaimer:
CBD:
Qrius does not provide medical advice.
The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India. CBD oil, manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can be legally used in India for medicinal purposes only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the legalities here.
The information on this website is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions regarding a medical condition or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website.
Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
This article does not endorse or express the views of Qrius and/or its staff.
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