What Connection Type is Best for Your Home?

Whether you are looking for high-speed internet or a reliable TV service, understanding the benefits of different connection types is essential in choosing the best home service plan. Each connection type offers benefits as well as drawbacks, and this guide will help you find the best connection type for your home.

Fiber-Optic: The new kid on the block, fiber connection is considered one of the fastest and most reliable forms of internet. This connection type uses fiber-optic cables that transmit data through light pulses rather than electricity. This results in data transfer at the speed of light, as well as equal upload and download speeds. This fast and reliable connection type is great for gaming, 4k streaming and other heavy usage tasks.

The downside of fiber connection is that it is not yet widely available. However, companies like Verizon Fios and AT&T are continually expanding their fiber-optic networks which will eventually allow more customers to enjoy this fast and reliable connection type.

Cable (Coax): This connection type is very common in cities and suburban areas, meaning many customers have access to both cable internet and TV plans. A cable connection works by sending information through electrical signals via coaxial cables, resulting in generally fast and reliable signal.

The widespread infrastructure of cable networks comes with both positives and negatives. On the plus side, wide availability means many providers offer a range of plans to fit your speed and budget needs. The downside of a large network, however, is that it can result in network congestion and inconsistent speeds during peak usage hours.

Overall, while not as consistent as a fiber-optic connection, cable is a great choice for reliable and fast internet and TV connections for many households.

DSL: DSL internet connection works by sending electrical signal through telephone wires, meaning any home connected to a landline phone network has access to DSL. This is a great option for households not serviced by cable or fiber-optic connections, particularly in rural areas.

While DSL connection is not as fast as cable or fiber-optic, it still offers reliable internet at an affordable price.

Streaming: Many providers now offer apps to allow you to stream your favorite shows from a smart TV, phone, or tablet. This technology requires a traditional internet connection (such as fiber-optic or cable discussed above), and is a great way to add flexibility and convenience to your entertainment.

Satellite: Unlike the other types of connections, satellite internet and TV is not transmitted through a physical network, but instead by pinging (you guessed it) satellites via a dish receiver. The main advantage of a satellite connection is that it is often available anywhere a dish can be installed, making it an excellent option for houses in remote or rural areas, as well as RV’s.

The downside of a satellite connection is it is generally less reliable than other connection types. Due to the distance data must travel (to space and back), satellite connections are prone to latency which can result in delays to television programs or internet downloads. Similarly bad weather and other natural phenomena can adversely affect connections, although this is often rare.

Companies such as DIRECTV and Viasat offer great satellite internet and TV plans for a variety of budgets, making these providers a great option for customers not physically connected to cable, DSL, or fiber-optic networks.

Low Orbit Satellite: While not yet available, this form of satellite connection is an emerging technology currently under development by SpaceX (Starlink). Unlike traditional satellite internet and TV connections, this technology utilizes satellites in low orbit resulting in a quicker ping time and a faster and more reliable connection. Starlink will be launching in the near future, with other traditional satellite internet and TV providers planning to utilize the technology as well.