Summary
Highlights
Broadband cable internet uses a cable modem with a coaxial cable to connect to the internet service provider, often from the same providers as cable television. It leverages existing cable TV infrastructure and offers download speeds ranging from 25 Mbps to 400 Mbps. A modem, or gateway (modem with built-in Wi-Fi and switch), connects to the coaxial cable, providing internet access and network capabilities for multiple devices. A downside to cable internet is that bandwidth is shared among users in a neighborhood, which can lead to slower speeds during peak usage times.
DSL uses common telephone lines to carry both voice and data, making it distinct from slow dial-up connections despite also using phone lines. DSL is not as fast as cable but is generally cheaper and provides a dedicated connection per user unlike cable's shared bandwidth. It's more widely available due to the ubiquity of telephone lines, with download speeds typically ranging from 5 Mbps to 100 Mbps. DSL modems often come as a Wi-Fi router combo and connect via a phone line.
There are different forms of DSL: ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) has faster download speeds than upload speeds, ideal for home users; SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) offers equal download and upload speeds, favoring businesses; and VDSL (Very High Bit DSL) is a faster form of DSL that runs over copper wire and can also use fiber optic cable for longer distances, being approximately three times faster than ADSL.
Fiber internet offers the fastest speeds available, with both download and upload speeds reaching 1000 Mbps. It achieves this by using light to send data through fiber optic cables, which are already used as the internet's backbone. Fiber can travel longer distances than DSL or cable due to its use of light, making it less vulnerable to electromagnetic interference that affects copper cables. However, fiber is more expensive and its infrastructure is not as widely available as DSL or cable.