Types of Internet Connections
Learn about the different types of internet connections that exist and are widely used!
Terms to know:
Bandwidth: The maximum volume of data transmitted that can be transmitted over an internet connection in a given amount of time. The higher the bandwidth, the faster your internet speed is.
Cell Towers: Tower that facilitates the signal reception of cellular phones and other wireless communication devices in a cellular network.
Ethernet Cable: Cable that connects your electronic device (computer, tablet, gaming console, etc.) to a network.
Mbps (“Megabits per second”): Unit to gauge internet speeds. This number represents the bandwidth of an internet connection.
Modem: An electronic device that receives data from the cable provider’s network and delivers it to your home.
Router: Networking device that forwards data packets (pieces of information) between computer networks for functions on the internet.
Types of Internet Connections:
Fiber
Speed
Most fiber internet providers offer speeds up to 10 Gbps (10,000 Mbps). For example, let’s compare how quickly you can download a 2 hour HD movie that is approximately 2.5GB:
1000 Mbps fiber connection: 38 seconds
100 Mbps cable connection: 6 minutes 26 seconds
25 MBps DSL connection: 25 min. 46 seconds
How it works
Fiber internet uses fiber-optic cables rather than the traditional copper wire. This attributes to the fast speed since fiber optic cables are capable of transmitting large amounts of information very quickly since it uses light signals to send data to and from your computer.
Pros:
High Bandwidth
Secure
Data is transmitted via light using fiber optic cables. There is not way to detect the data transmitted and intercept the data.
Easy to work with:
Fiber is very small in diameter like 2mm which save space and are light weight and easy to install.
Cons:
Fragility
You have to be very careful when you around fiber optic cables since they are so thin, easy to pull and bend.
Varies in availability
Fiber is mostly available on the East coast and in big cities like New York City.
Fiber Cables
Cable internet
Speed
Cable internet can reach speeds of 2 Gbps (2,000 Mbps)
How it works
Cable Internet uses the same types of cables that transmit cable TV services since most households are wired for cable TV. It is usually available through your internet service provider and that provider will send data through the coaxial cable to your home’s modem. Then, your modem uses an ethernet cable to connect to your router which gives you access to the internet.
Pros:
Easy to service
If you face any difficulties with your cable internet connection, most companies offer great customer service or come on site to fix the problem
High bandwidth
High availability
There are about 456 providers in the US offering cable service.
Cons:
Speeds are dependent on how many people are connected to the internet at a time in your area. Cable modems are not strong enough to handle a large number of users and internet service tends to get slower with an increase of users
Source: https://www.upwardbroadband.com/fixed-wireless-internet-vs-cable-internet/
Wireless (Wi-Fi)
Speed
The current standard in popular use is 802.11ac, which offers speeds up to 1,300 Mbps on a single band.
There is also the newer 802.11ad, with speeds up to 4,600 Mbps, but it isn’t widely used yet.
How it works
Wi-Fi uses a radio frequency signal to connect your devices to the Internet and each other. It relies on a modem to provides access to the Internet, and a router to broadcast a WiFi signal. Then, a a WiFi-capable device can then use this signal to connect to the Internet.
Pros:
Availability and Access
You do not need to worry about cables and adapters to get connected to WiFi so you have the mobility to move around any location with WiFi while still being connected to the the wireless network. Also, even if you are not home, many establishments like Airports, restaurants, and hotels offer WiFi services that you can connect to. With those, it is convenient but it is important to be mindful of what you are searching for since it is susceptible to hackers. Read my blog post on that.
Inexpensive
Wireless networks can be easier and cheaper to install.
Cons:
Security
Activity over a wireless connection are more exposed to hackers which compromise the security your device and identity. Read my blog post about it.
Coverage
In some areas, you may not get the best coverage. Wireless networks can be affected by outside interferences like walls and other devices.
A modem provides WiFi by receiving data from the cable provider’s network and delivers it to your home.
Cellular
Speed
Cellular connections can reach 20 Gigabits-per-second (Gbps) using 5G.
4G: The 20MHz bandwidth sector has peak capacity of 400Mbps.
3G Networks 3G networks reach 2mbps on stationary or non-moving devices and 384kbps on devices in moving vehicles.
2G Networks: The maximum speed for 2G was about 50kbps.
How it works
Cellular technology provides wireless Internet access through cell phones. The data you send or receive through a mobile network is transmitted to or from a central hub or station known as cells. The network is distributed over the cell towers. One cell covers certain geographical areas, and those cells overlap to effectively transmit data and cover more area. As long as your mobile network carrier has cell towers that cover a certain area, you are able to connect to cellular data.
Pros:
Access to the internet anywhere and anytime
You can connect as long as you’re in a geographical area covered by your mobile network carrier.
Better range
Cons:
Limitations on data
Unless you have an unlimited data plan, you have to keep track of how much data you use. You also need a mobile device that includes a cellular plan and cellular data.
Security Vulnerabilities
External and environmental factors like physical obstructions to cell towers, climate conditions, and interferences from other wireless devices have an affect on your connection.
A cell tower disguised as a palm tree
Personal Hotspot
Speed
Personal hotspot speeds can reach to around 30 Mbps.
How it works
Personal hotspots tap into a cellular network which allows other Wi-Fi enabled devices to establish a connection.This is helpful when when you don't have access to a Wi-Fi network and you have the ability to connect to someone’s personal hotspot. The speed and strength of the wireless signal depends on the wireless signal of the device supplying the personal hotspot.Any Wi-Fi-enabled device such as a laptop, gaming console, Wi-Fi enabled TV’s can connect to a personal hotspot. Be mindful that more users on a personal hotspot will cause slower speeds.
Pros:
Convenience
When you do not have internet access and you have the ability to connect to a personal hotspot, you are able to get connected again to do your work and search the web
Cons:
Speed
The speed is definitely slower than what you would get with a wired/wireless connection at home or a strong cellular connection. It might take longer for things to load and to search the web.
Data Limitations
Depending on your data plan, you may only be able to use a certain amount of personal hotspot/data until you reach your set data limit.
Personal Hotspot option on an iPhone. To turn this feature on, go to Settings →Personal Hotspot →Toggle on. Now your device will be discoverable and other people can connect to it!
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
Speed
DSL speeds can reach up to 100 Mbps.
How it works
DSL connects you to the internet using a telephone network. It uses the same wires as a regular telephone line which are copper wires. Your internet service provider provides service via a DSL modem which acts as the data translate that connected your device to the internet. DSL uses a range of frequencies that allows for telephone service and internet to coexist on the same line.
Pros:
Inexpensive
You do not need to worry about many users using DSL to have an affect on your connection since each user has a dedicated circuit.
Cons:
Internet speeds depend on how far you are from the internet service provider’s dsl modem.
Low availability
DSL Internet is available wherever there is an existing telephone network.
Source: https://sites.google.com/site/informationtechessentials2/types-of-internet-connectivity
Satellite internet
Speed
Satellite internet speeds can reach up to 100 Mbps.
How it works
Internet connection is delivered wirelessly to the receiver since it uses satellites in space to transmit data over the internet. A simple example of satellite internet in action is if you click on a link while surfing the internet. Your request travels through a modem to a satellite dish that is installed on your home/property. Then, the satellite dish beams the request to a satellite in space and you get a response when the satellite in space sends your request to a station on the ground. This works for requests and responses, but since they need to travel all the way to space, there is a lot of delay when trying to simply browse the web.
Pros
Availability
Signals can be picked up anywhere in the US if you have a clear view of the sky. It is great for people in a rural area whose only internet options are DSL, dial-up and satellite.
Cons
Slow and expensive!
Satellites installed on the roof of a house to transmit and receive data from space.
Dial-up
Dial up is the slowest connection technology that exists nowadays.
Speed
The highest speed dial up can support is 56 kbit/s, significantly lower than the other internet connection speeds.
How it works
Dial up internet works by taking over the signal of an existing phone line and changing it from communicating voice to communicating data.
Pros
Inexpensive
Disadvantages
Extremely slow speeds
Low bandwidth
Very rare nowadays since with the increasing demand of faster internet speeds, the use of other internet connections are increasing.
Thank you for reading!
Sources:
https://www.highspeedinternet.com/resources/the-consumers-guide-to-internet-speed
https://www.reviews.org/internet-service/how-does-fiber-optic-internet-work/
https://www.comstar.biz/different-types-of-internet-connections/
https://cellularnews.com/now-you-know/in-depth-analysis-of-what-is-cellular-data-how-it-works/
https://connect2local.com/l/102823/c/572937/the-advantages-disadvantages-of-mobile-wi-fi-hotspots
https://sites.google.com/site/informationtechessentials2/types-of-internet-connectivity