We live in a digital age, where access to the internet is no longer just a benefit, but increasingly a necessity. Despite this, we’re still in the relatively early stages of the evolution of ways to connect to the internet. New technologies are being invented all the time, which is great for advancing our needs but can make it really hard to know what types of internet connection are available to you, or best for you.
With this in mind, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide to the different types of internet connection, with the aim of making it easier to understand what’s out there, how they all work, and which one is right for you.
Cable modem
Cable internet sends data through the same coaxial cables that transmit images and audio to your TV, with the modem having one connection for your TV and another for internet. More bandwidth is available with these cables than with telephone lines, which is why cable modem offers faster speeds and greater reliability than traditional DSL internet. It’s technically possible for cable internet to provide speeds as fast as fibre optic, but the way bandwidth is distributed means this isn’t usually the case. However, cable is still more widely available than fibre, so it’s a good compromise for those needing a faster internet connection than what DSL offers.
Fibre optic
Fibre optic burst onto the scene around 15 years ago, boasting a big jump in both the speed and quality that most people were used to getting with their internet connection. Fibre uses glass core cables rather than copper, so the data is transmitted via light rather than electrical signals. Travelling at the speed of light obviously makes this connection a lot quicker than other types of broadband, and it’s also more secure – the lack of electronic signals make it incredibly difficult to hack.
There are many benefits to fibre optic internet, not least the speed, security, and futureproofing technology. But the glass cables are incredibly fragile and it’s therefore expensive to install, which is why the rollout of infrastructure is slow and it’s currently not an option in many areas of the country. Over the next few years, fibre is expected to take over from ADSL as the most common type of internet connection in the UK.
DSL
DSL (digital subscriber line) is what first made the ability to access the internet at the same time as using a landline telephone available to the masses. This type of internet connection uses existing telephone lines but splits the signal into multiple frequencies, which is how it manages to not interrupt a simultaneous telephone connection.
ADSL (asymmetrical digital subscriber line) is the most common type of internet connection in the UK and the most widely available worldwide. It’s designed primarily for residential customers, which is why higher download compared to upload speeds are common. SDSL (symmetrical digital subscriber line), on the other hand, is more often used by businesses that require greater bandwidth for both uploading and downloading.
Wireless
Wireless internet does what it says on the tin, offering an internet connection that doesn’t rely on underground wires or cable technology. Instead, the data is transmitted via a radio signal that’s beamed from a nearby mast and received by a small satellite dish placed on the outside of the building. It relies on a clear line of sight between the transmitter and the receiver, and is perfect for people struggling to get decent rural internet due to a lack of up-to-date cable infrastructure.
Both fixed wireless and mobile wireless solutions are available, with fixed wireless benefitting from low latency and high speeds, while mobile wireless’ main draw is its portability.
Satellite
Satellite internet is another type of wireless connection but instead of using transmitter towers, the data is beamed from satellites in earth’s orbit. Because of the position and mobility of these satellites, there is a lot of flexibility over where to direct the signal – essentially, as long as a receiver can be installed, satellite internet could reach anywhere on earth.
Those living in developing countries with poor infrastructure can benefit hugely from satellite internet, as it quickly gets them the connection that they need in order to communicate globally and develop businesses. However, the connection can be disrupted by very bad weather and, due to the distance between satellite and receiver, there is high latency resulting in slower speeds than other options.
Mobile
Mobile internet, sometimes known as cellular internet, is what our mobile phones use to get online. 3G, 4G and 5G connections are available, and refer to the third, fourth and fifth generations of mobile internet technology that they utilise.
Like wireless, mobile internet works by beaming radio signals but rather than being sent to a specific point, the signal is dispersed into the air for any mobile internet enabled device to connect to, making mobile WiFi one of the best options for temporary WiFi. Your phone can take this signal and reroute it to your laptop or another device, which is what mobile hotspots are. You can also buy what’s known as a ‘MiFi’ device, which does the same thing but without draining your phone’s battery or data plan.
Dial-up
Dial-up internet works by taking the analogue signal from a phone line and using a modem to convert it into a digital signal that a computer can understand. Anyone over the age of 25 will remember the days when dial-up was commonplace, and you had to listen to an odd-sounding mix of beeps and screeches in order to get online.
These days, dial-up internet access is rarely found in the UK because we have much more efficient options available. The dial-up connection sound might be looked back on fondly, but the slow speeds and long waits to connect certainly aren’t!
ISDN
Like dial-up internet, ISDN (which stands for integrated services digital network) uses transmits data over traditional telephone lines. But, unlike dial-up, ISDN uses a set of communication standards that make it possible to transmit this data digitally, rather than having to convert the data from analogue to digital before it reaches the computer. It’s possible to transmit multiple data streams at the same time using ISDN, so users don’t have to hold off from making telephone calls while also surfing the web.
ISDN was originally invented with the aim of offering faster speeds than dial-up but the technology is now outdated, with modern broadband offering even quicker speeds than that. The other downside of an ISDN connection is that it ties users to physical locations, which is becoming increasingly unviable with the rise of remote working. For these reasons, ISDN is being phased out of UK networks and is due to be turned off completely by 2025.
BPL
Broadband over powerlines (BPL) is one of the newest types of internet connection and therefore isn’t widely available at the moment. It produces similar speeds to DSL and cable modem but does so by sending broadband over existing powerlines, instead of telephone lines or cables. BPL has big potential – technically, anywhere in the world that has a power connection could get high-speed broadband without the need for further infrastructure.
Which type of internet connection should you choose?
It’s normal to feel overwhelmed by choice when looking into your different options for connecting to the internet. A good place to start is to find out if DSL, cable, or fibre optic broadband are available in your area, as these are the most common ways to connect to the internet. DSL tends to be cheaper, while cable and fibre are faster, so which one you choose should depend on what your priorities are and whether you need to connect to the internet for business or personal use. If you’re looking for a way to connect to the internet on the go, then mobile 3G, 4G, and 5G connections will almost always be the most suitable.
The problem with the majority of types of internet connection is that they rely on cables or other infrastructure that don’t reach rural areas, leaving people in these communities feeling frustrated and forgotten about. If you’re in search of rural WiFi, we offer alternative ways to connect to the internet, including bespoke solutions for hard-to-reach areas. You can call Wave Internet on 01254 377373 to talk through your needs and receive no-obligation advice on the different types of internet available.
