Picking out an internet provider for your unique work and personal needs can be challenging, especially when you’re unfamiliar with the different connection types. Connecting to the internet requires data to travel via radio waves, phone lines, cable networks, satellite dishes, or electrical wiring. Digital subscriber line (DSL), cable, and fiber-optic are the most common internet connections, and they differ in download and upload speeds, prices, and amount of bandwidth. They’re known as “last mile” technologies, bridging the internet “backbone” and users’ residences. Show Bandwidth is defined by the volume of information that can be sent over a connection in a measured amount of time: megabits per second (Mbps). On the other hand, speed is how fast that information is received or downloaded. These are both reliable measurements of connection quality when picking your internet provider. Nevertheless, each connection type has different download and upload speeds. It varies for each person, but most of us download more than upload, so providers give more bandwidth to the former. In this guide, we compare DSL, cable, and fiber internet to help you find the right service for your home.
Comparing DSL, Cable, and Fiber Speeds One key difference between DSL, cable, and fiber internet is speed. Look at the table below to see which download and upload speeds align with your internet needs.
DSL Internet: Slow, but the Most AffordableDSL internet in the U.S. operates on local phone lines to connect to the internet. It’s lower bandwidth (check the bandwidth calculator to see how much data you need) and the slowest option, but it’s sufficient for a single user with basic usage, such as surfing the web and streaming in standard definition. DSL is the most widely available and cheapest option of the three types of connection we cover here. It’s also easy to set up and doesn’t typically require professional installation or fees. CenturyLink has a DSL plan with no data caps, which is always ideal. DSL is the better alternative for users who live in rural areas and don’t want to stick with satellite internet, which can be slower and have high latency. It’s not as widely available in rural areas as satellite internet though.
Residential cable internet uses cable wires to provide a high-speed internet connection and TV service. With download speeds of up to 500 Mbps and upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps, cable internet can power a household with multiple devices. Cable providers also offer bundles that include TV, phone, and internet service for a lower price than buying each individually. Some cable providers, such as Spectrum, have plans with speeds almost as fast as fiber internet. It’s not the fastest, but cable internet is much faster than DSL. It’s a good choice for people who want a consistent and reliable connection but don’t need lightning-fast internet. This is a common connection type in cities like Dallas.
Fiber-optic residential internet is the newest technology in the broadband market, and it’s powered by expensive, high-speed cables made of fibers and glass that reach residents’ homes. Its high speeds make streaming HD videos and joining Zoom calls with numerous people efficient and easy. It’s the best option for heavy internet users, such as gamers or a family that streams on multiple devices simultaneously. AT&T Internet offers fiber plans that can reach up to 5 Gbps. Fiber is commonly used in major cities such as San Diego and Los Angeles.
DSL vs. CableDSL uses telephone lines and is the slowest option, whereas cable transmits data over copper TV lines, works faster, and carries more bandwidth. DSL is widely available because almost every part of the country has access to phone service, so it’s a great option for people in rural areas who don’t want to choose satellite internet. Cable is ideal if you stream on multiple devices, hop on a lot of video calls, or download large files, while DSL is better if you only check your email every once in a while and casually surf the internet. Cable vs. FiberFiber internet provides a high-bandwidth connection and speeds up to 1 Gbps. Cable speeds can be as fast as fiber, but they slow down during peak use times when all your neighbors get home from work and watch Netflix or a big game. That said, cable covers about 88 percent of the U.S. at an average speed of 10 to 500 Mbps. Fiber is great for competitive online gamers or someone who wants the fastest speed available and lives in larger cities where it’s available. If you want extremely fast internet, then AT&T Internet is a top contender. DSL vs. FiberDSL and fiber are complete opposites when it comes to speeds and coverage. Fiber is new, so it has less coverage than DSL, but fiber expansion projects are under way. DSL usually runs over pre-existing lines, making setup easy. On the other hand, fiber requires professional installation services to run the fiber-optic cables to your house. Internet providers such as CenturyLink offer both DSL and fiber plans. The Main Takeaway: Fiber Is the Fastest Internet OptionFiber internet is your best bet for fast and reliable internet (outside of quantum entanglement technology). It can reach speeds up to 1 Gbps and endure severe weather conditions, which helps minimize outages. Fiber internet makes it possible to connect multiple tablets, laptops, and phones at once with minimum lag. In short, it offers optimal performance for anything that would require fast and efficient internet. Fiber, however, isn’t the cheapest or most widely available. Service is still very limited, which means people who live in metropolitan cities have a better chance of finding it than those living in rural areas. If you can afford fiber plans and you’re all about fast and reliable connections, then fiber is your best option. That doesn’t mean cable isn’t a solid choice, considering its speeds can reach up to 940 Mbps. Which internet connection is best? It depends, but, at the end of the day, your best option will always be what you think serves your needs and budget. Frequently Asked Questions About DSL, Cable, and Fiber Internet OptionsHow do I get fiber Internet?Search for fiber internet providers in the U.S. to find out whether any offer service in your area. Can you get Wi-Fi with cable internet?Yes, you will need a modem and router in order to get Wi-Fi via cable internet. Who still uses DSL internet?Approximately 89 percent of the U.S. has access to DSL. It’s an affordable, albeit slow, option. Is DSL more reliable than fiber and cable?DSL isn’t as reliable as fiber or cable internet because it still uses phone lines and requires residents to be near the ISP. The farther away you are from the provider, the spottier your connection will be. Why are fiber internet prices so high?Fiber internet plans provide top speeds, so they typically cost more. It’s also the latest in broadband technology, so the costs are higher.
Speeds for moderate web browsing, file sharing, and online backups
Capacity for HD audio streaming and VoIP services
Fast download and moderate upload speeds
Inability to reach fiber internet upload speeds
Potential for slower speeds during peak usage times
Spectrum
With download speeds reaching 400 Mbps and impressive TV packages, Spectrum is a solid choice for small businesses. Optimum’s business internet plans are similar to Spectrum’s in speed and pricing—in fact, they offer speeds up to 500 Mbps, just higher than Spectrum. Right now, we recommend Spectrum over Optimum as a cable provider because of availability. Optimum is only available in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, while Spectrum is available in 46 states. However, Spectrum’s parent company, Charter, has been going through some legal troubles—particularly in New York. As of February 2019, the government still hasn’t determined whether it will require Charter Spectrum to remove service from the state. We think the legal and customer service issues are troubling enough to include an alternate cable recommendation for businesses in the New York area. If you’re out of state, we still recommend Spectrum, but we’ll keep our eye on its customer service ratings and update our ranking accordingly.
Optimum
Optimum’s affordable, contract-free plans and speeds up to 5,000 Mbps download/5,000 Mbps upload make it a great choice for Tri-State-area businesses on a budget. Fiber-optic internet is the newest entrant in the broadband race. It’s a technology that can provide some seriously stunning speeds and solid reliability for small businesses.
Fiber internet connection gets its name from the glass or plastic fiber cables that substitute copper DSL or coaxial cables. Your fiber ISP will provide you with a modem or a gateway router to connect your office and devices.
Verizon
Verizon's Fios fiber internet is fast, fast, fast with speeds up to 1 Gig for businesses that need a reliable, fast connection that does not quit no matter where they are in the country. Tiny fibers the size of a width of hair transmit data with beams of light (that’s the “optic” part), which means the cables can carry higher bandwidth at higher speeds and with higher reliability than DSL or cable. And many fiber internet plans are “symmetrical,” which means your upload speeds match or nearly meet download speeds. Fiber-optic internet isn’t as prone to problems from distance, frequency interference, and heat damage because glass and plastic don’t easily conduct electricity. But note that the actual speeds and reliability you get from your ISP can depend on things like the exact type of fiber network you’re connected to and the plan you purchase. The biggest disadvantage of business fiber internet is that it’s only available in limited areas throughout the US. Because fiber is a new technology, ISPs are still working to build fiber-optic networks. As of 2015, only about one quarter of the US population had fiber broadband internet access.4
Speeds for heavy web browsing, file sharing, and online backups
Capacity for frequent HD audio streaming and VoIP services
Capabilities for hosting servers and complex cloud-based services
Superior download and upload speeds
Limited availability for a fraction of US businesses
Higher costs in the short term |
Which of the following internet technologies provides the fastest speeds fiber optic cellular cable DSL?
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