Internet Connection Types: Breaking Down Which Is Right for You

Choosing the right internet connection type is a must to meet the demands of modern life — work, school, entertainment, you name it. While we all connect to the same internet, how we connect varies broadly across internet connection types.

How quickly, reliably, affordably, and securely you can access that network depends on the type of internet connection you choose. This guide offers a primer on the different internet connection types so you can make a decision that’s best for your household.

The Different Types of Internet Connections

The internet types below generally qualify as broadband (or high-speed) internet. Learn about each type, what speeds to expect, and what to factor into your decision.

Here are the internet connection types we’ll cover:

• Dial-up

• Integrated Service Digital Network (ISDN)

• DSL

• Cable

• Mobile data

• Satellite

• Fiber-optic

Dial-up

You’re not likely to find dial-up internet in most areas, but in the 1990s and early 2000s, it was the standard internet connection type. The infrastructure is decidedly outdated, operating through the most basic of telephone lines. It’s extremely slow by today’s standards.

Pros:

• Available anywhere there’s a phone line

• Reliable as a backup or maintenance connection

Cons:

• Extremely slow speeds — only up to 56 kilobits per second (Kbps), or less than 1 Mbps

• Single connection at a time — you have to hang up the phone to use the internet

• Aging infrastructure

Like DSL, dial-up is a “no-other-option” kind of option. You’ll need to have plenty of patience just to open an email. Don’t even think about streaming video.

ISDN

ISDN, or Integrated Services Digital Network, is an older digital transmission technology that predates DSL and uses standard phone lines to deliver internet. It’s faster than dial-up, but much slower than today’s broadband options. While ISDN is mostly phased out, some niche industries or rural areas may still use it where broadband isn’t available.

Its claim to fame? Giving dial-up the ability to go online and talk on the phone simultaneously.

Pros:

• A step above dial-up

Cons:

• Barely available anywhere anymore

• Slower than most other options (tops out at about 128 Kbps)

Unless the rural ISP in your area has invested in it, your household probably isn’t choosing ISDN internet as your connection type. But it helps to understand the terminology in case you encounter it as you search for a plan.

DSL

DSL, or digital subscriber line, uses existing telephone lines to deliver internet to your home. It’s a widely available option, especially in rural and outer suburban areas where faster alternatives may not be available or affordable.

DSL speeds can range from about 1-100 Mbps download and roughly 1-10 Mbps upload, so it’s often only enough for simple activities like browsing and emailing.

Pros:

• Widely available

• Easy to install (plugs into your phone jack)

Cons:

• Slow speeds — about enough for basic internet use

• Signal degradation over long distances

• Low bandwidth is quickly bogged down by multiple devices

DSL might be best for rural customers with no other affordable options or who require a simple line for occasional use. Similarly, individuals with multiple internet options might still choose DSL if they only need to check email occasionally and want to keep costs to a minimum.

Cable

While DSL comes in through the phone line, cable internet rides along cable television (coaxial) wires. These slightly more complex lines allow for slightly higher speeds and other benefits over DSL. This internet connection type raises the bar to speeds more in the ballpark of 25 Mbps-100 Mbps for downloads and 5-50 Mbps for uploads.

The best cable connections (coaxial) can hit up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps), but only in the download direction. Still, they’re generally available in populated areas.

Pros:

• Better speeds than DSL

• Affordable, but still supports modern internet use

• Widely available and most common — it’s been the go-to for nearly two decades

Cons:

• Slowdowns during peak usage

• Costly or unavailable in rural areas

• Easily bogged down by multiple devices streaming simultaneously

Cable internet might be best for small households that use multiple devices simultaneously, but maybe not if they’re all doing high-bandwidth activities like video calls or online gaming.

Mobile data

Just like your phone’s 5G or 4G wireless internet, mobile data can also bring the internet to your home. It’s a great choice for on-the-go digital nomads or others who require internet when living in remote spots or multiple locations.

There’s a reason your phone automatically connects to your home’s Wi-Fi when you walk in the door, though. Mobile data is often capped or gets more expensive the more you use it, so data-rich activities can get costly or bogged down. The signal can also be spotty based on your location.

Pros:

• Truly mobile — as long as you’re within network tower range

• Fast speeds, as high as 1 Gbps+ on 5G

• Easy setup — just unbox the receiver and login

Cons:

• Cost — data caps and bandwidth-sharing drive up the price of access

• Signal strength and spottiness depending on location

• Average speeds more like coaxial cable than fiber

Some customers choose mobile data as a backup connection or if it’s the only rural high-speed option available. While it can usually support modern internet use for an individual, multiple users can stress the bandwidth.

Satellite

Satellite internet connections transmit web information in the same way as GPS (global positioning systems), which work to map your route by pinging satellites orbiting Earth. Yet, because the data has to travel so far out and back, latency can be a big issue. Experienced as lag and buffering, latency is the delay between receiving and sending information.

The weather can also disrupt satellite signals. And the speeds offered by satellite can be underwhelming, ranging from about 25-150 Mbps for downloads and 5-25 Mbps for uploads.

Pros:

• Typically available anywhere you can see the sky

• Limited reliance on land-based (terrestrial) infrastructure — just the satellite and your dish

• Direct connection, so no sharing bandwidth

Cons:

• High latency, slow speeds

• High cost

• Susceptible to weather-related disruptions

If you’re in a rural location, it’s a viable choice for medium-resolution streaming, light work, and general internet use.

Fiber optic

Fiber optic is the fastest type of internet connection thanks to its method of transmitting information. Instead of familiar signals — electrical, satellite, cellular — fiber-optic internet uses flashes of light reflected through extremely thin glass strands.

Speeds tend to start around 1 Gbps, which is more than enough for streaming, working, and connecting smart home devices.

Because of this, fiber internet can carry data unfathomably fast across long distances without losing strength. Fiber doesn’t connect wirelessly or piggyback existing wires, though. It requires community infrastructure, which can be costly and slow to roll out in some areas. Bu governments and businesses at every level are doing more to bring this option to more Americans than ever before.

Pros:

• Ultra-fast

• Symmetrical — equal download and upload speeds

• Reliable and secure internet — immune to most interference

Cons:

• Can be more expensive than other technology, but quickly decreasing

• Limited availability

If fiber fits your budget, it’s the way to go. It easily supports multiple devices for gaming, working, learning, socializing, shopping, 4K streaming, and more — all at once with no (or minimal) lag or slowdown.

How do the different internet connection types stack up against one another?

Now that you know more about each internet connection type, it might help to see them side by side. The chart below lays out the most important criteria.

It’s also important to consider real customer experiences. In a Kinetic survey of 500 fiber internet users, an overwhelming majority (77%) noticed the speed increase over cable, DSL, and other common options (2024 – Kinetic Raw data report*).

The most commonly compared types of internet connection are DSL vs. cable vs. fiber, but if others are available in your area, they can be worth cross-shopping. Mobile data is also becoming a more common option, but it’s often cost-prohibitive.

Of these internet types, it’s also worth considering how the technology will grow. Fiber is the primary focus of infrastructure planners since it can theoretically handle speeds well above 100 Gbps. Satellite and mobile data internet technology are also seeing continued investment, but the technology is limited in its current capacity.

What is “broadband” internet?

The term “broadband” is often confused as a type of internet connectivity, but it actually just refers to any type of connection that delivers high-speed internet that meets the requirements set by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

In 2024, the FCC raised the threshold for what constitutes broadband to 100 megabits per second (Mbps) for download speeds and 20 Mbps for upload speeds.

So, in theory, DSL, cable, satellite, mobile data, and fiber could qualify as broadband internet.

Remember though, just because an ISP offers “broadband internet” doesn’t mean the speeds it offers will be enough to meet your needs. Those with multiple users or higher demands — like working from home, streaming 4K movies, or gaming — often require speeds of at least 300 to 500 Mbps, or three- to five-times what qualifies for broadband internet.

Fiber and some cable connections can easily handle these higher speeds and more. They offer speeds well above 1 gigabit per second (Gbps), or 10 times the FCC’s minimum broadband speed.

How to Choose the Right Internet for Your Needs

Choosing the right type of internet connection depends on a few key factors: your location, budget, and how you use the internet.

Start by considering where you live. Some areas may have limited options. If you live in a rural area, DSL or satellite might be your only choices, but if you’re in a city or suburb, you may have access to faster connections like cable or fiber.

Next, think about your internet usage. For basic browsing, checking email, or basic-resolution streaming, a basic cable internet plan could work fine. But if you’re working from home, streaming in 4K, or have a household with multiple devices connected at once, you’ll need higher speeds and more bandwidth.

Budget also plays a role. Fiber offers the fastest speeds, but it can be more expensive, and some areas don’t offer it yet. DSL is typically more affordable but comes with slower speeds, while satellite internet can be costly but provides service in areas other internet types can’t reach. Aim for the highest speed you can comfortably afford.

Ultimately, the best internet connection for you balances speed, cost, and availability. Think about your household’s needs, from working and streaming to gaming. Compare that to what’s available, affordable, and backed by a reputable ISP with the latest technology.

Fast and Reliable Internet for All Types of Connections

Finding a speedy and dependable web connection to keep your online life running smoothly is an important task. With a forward-thinking internet service provider like Kinetic, you have multiple internet connection types to choose from.

Whatever your demand for internet, Kinetic has the technology, expertise, and coverage to help. We offer fiber, cable, DSL, and more.

Start by checking availability for your address and explore the plans available in your area today.

Internet Connection Types FAQs

What are the three types of internet connections?

Fiber, cable, and DSL are today’s three main internet connection types. DSL, delivered via phone lines, is the slowest option, while cable runs through the same coaxial lines as television for higher speeds (about the national average). Fiber achieves massively faster gigabit speeds because it transmits data as light instead of electricity.

Which type of internet connection is best?

Depending on your needs, fiber will likely be the best internet option since it’s extremely fast, and increasingly affordable and available. Plus, it’s set up for the long-term technological future. If fiber isn’t available in your region or budget, cable is the next best option. DSL is an even cheaper (yet slower) choice.

If you’re in a rural area, alternative connection types like satellite, mobile data, or ISDN might make more sense.

What is the safest internet connection type?

Fiber internet uses light signals within glass strands, which can be less susceptible to electromagnetic interference. It’s among the safest options since it’s more impervious to hacking, disruption, and damage.

What is the fastest internet connection type?

That would be fiber-optic internet, the connection type that travels at light speed over far-flung distances without breaking a sweat. At multi gig speeds in both directions (download and upload), it supports multiple devices streaming, gaming, video calling, and socializing in real time and 4K resolution.

*About this data: Study includes data from survey conducted by third-party survey research company on Aug. 19, 2024, of respondents aged 18 and up across all 50 states. Participants were recruited using Random Device Engagement (RDE) and do not have a relationship with Kinetic or the survey research company used. More information on methodology here.