Connecting to the Internet: ISPs
Homes are typically connected using an internet service provider (ISP). An ISP is a company that provides Internet service connections to consumers. The first well-known company to do this was AOL. Major ISPs today include AT&T, Cox, Spectrum, Verizon, Comcast, Google, and others.
There are four types of connections: DSL, cable, fiber, and satellite. What is available at your home address will depend on where you live. Your service will be rated for speed in megabits per second (Mbps). Download speed is generally much faster than upload speed, as the download speed is important to streaming entertainment and web surfing.
The FCC has defined broadband speed as a minimum of 25 megabits down and 3 megabits up. As an example, streaming high-definition movies requires 5 – 8 Mbps.
Cable
Possibly the most popular connection type, cable internet is served through the same coaxial wire that provides your cable TV service. Speeds vary by plan. Typical speeds are usually between 25 Mbps and 250 Mbps. Most cable companies have discounts for customers who bundle cable and internet service.
DSL
DSL internet uses your standard copper wire telephone lines. The Internet service is separate from your traditional phone service; you can use the lines for DSL even if you don’t have a “landline” telephone. Speed is generally not as fast as cable, between 3 Mbps and 10 Mbps. DSL can slow when many people in the same area are using the internet simultaneously.
Fiber Optic
Fiber Optic, sometimes called FTTH (Fiber To The Home), is the fastest internet connection type, with some services offering a blazing fast 1Gbps (gigabytes per second). To put that in perspective, you could download an entire DVD in a few seconds at that speed. Fiber optic is a newer technology and only covers about a quarter of US households.
Satellite
Anyone with a clear line of sight to the southern sky can choose to connect to the internet via satellite. Speeds offered are between 5 Mbps and 15 Mbps. Downsides to satellite internet are the same as satellite TV: weather and astronomical events can interrupt service. Satellite is generally the most expensive option and requires the most expensive equipment. For some rural locations, a satellite connection is the only available option.