The internet is a global network that connects computers and devices, enabling the sharing of information. It acts as an interconnected web connecting billions of people around the world, facilitating access to news, entertainment, and communication.
There are several types of internet connections, such as high-speed fiber optic and coaxial cable, which uses the same infrastructure as cable TV. Other options include wireless internet, commonly found in rural areas, and mobile internet accessed via 4G and 5G networks.
Below, learn about the main types of internet, their characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages.
1. Broadband Internet
Broadband internet is a high-speed internet connection standard that uses a wide bandwidth to transmit data. It allows multiple signals, such as voice, video, and data, to be carried simultaneously, ensuring smoother and more efficient browsing.
The advantage of broadband is its download and upload speeds, which allow you to download large files, such as movies and games, very quickly. The technology can reach speeds of 5 Mbps (Megabits per second) to 10 Gbps (Gigabits per second), depending on the connection technology.
On the other hand, broadband speeds can vary depending on peak times and the region’s infrastructure. Therefore, service quality can also be affected by external factors and distance from the provider.
2. Fiber Optic Internet
Fiber optic internet is a type of broadband connection that offers greater speed and reliability. This technology uses light pulses transmitted through special cables with glass or plastic filaments to send and receive data.
Fiber optics delivers speeds ranging from 100 Mbps to 10 Gbps, making it one of the fastest commercial connections. Therefore, it’s ideal for high-performance activities such as online gaming, 4K streaming, and simultaneous use of multiple devices in a connected home.
The main limitation of fiber optics is its still-expanding infrastructure. Coverage can be limited even in large urban centers, as operators continue to build the cable network that connects different cities and regions.
3. Coaxial cable internet
Coaxial cable internet is a type of broadband connection that uses the same infrastructure as existing cable TV cables. It transforms data signals into radio frequencies, transmitted over coaxial cable, and then converts them into digital data by the user’s modem.
One of the advantages of this technology is its widespread availability, as it leverages existing cable TV networks in urban areas. Service speeds can vary, offering connections ranging from 10 Mbps to 1 Gbps, although upload speeds (sending data) are generally slower than download speeds (receiving data).
One of the drawbacks of coaxial cable internet is that bandwidth is shared among all users connected in the same area. This means that connection speeds can slow down during peak times, when more people are using the internet simultaneously.
4. ADSL Internet
ADSL internet is a broadband technology that uses telephone line infrastructure. Its main feature is significantly higher download speeds than upload speeds, making it ideal for those who browse the internet and consume online content via streaming.
One of the advantages of ADSL is its widespread availability, as it utilizes the existing telephone network. Besides its low cost and the ability to use the internet and telephone simultaneously without interference, it can deliver speeds ranging from 5 Mbps to 120 Mbps.
However, the quality of an ADSL connection is highly sensitive to the distance between your home and the telephone exchange: the further away, the slower and more unstable the connection becomes. This speed asymmetry can also be a disadvantage for those who need to send large files, stream live, or play online games.
5. Satellite Internet
Satellite internet works by sending data from a satellite dish to a satellite in Earth’s orbit. The satellite, in turn, relays the data to a ground station connected to the global network, providing internet connectivity.
This technology is ideal for remote or rural areas where fiber optic, coaxial cable, or mobile network infrastructure doesn’t reach. It allows internet access independent of cables or cell towers, offering a connectivity solution in hard-to-reach locations.
Satellite connections have higher latency due to the long distance the signal must travel. Speeds, which can range from 12 Mbps to 150 Mbps, and service stability can also be affected by weather conditions such as heavy rain or storms.
6. Internet via radio
Wireless internet operates through radio waves that transmit the carrier’s signal to homes. An antenna captures the signal from a transmission tower and sends it to a modem, which distributes the connection to devices.
The main advantage of cable internet is its availability in rural or remote areas. Because it’s a wireless technology, it can be installed more easily and, in some cases, at a lower cost than physical fiber or cable infrastructure.
However, connection speeds are generally lower, ranging from 1 Mbps to 30 Mbps. Signal stability can be affected by interference from other signals, weather conditions, or even physical obstacles such as trees and buildings between the antenna and the tower.
7. Mobile Internet
Mobile internet works through a radio network, made up of cell towers that cover specific geographic areas. These towers transmit and receive radio signals, allowing smartphones and other compatible devices to connect to the internet wirelessly.
With the advancement of networks like 5G, mobile internet reaches high speeds of up to 10 Gbps and offers flexibility by always connecting your device to the nearest tower. The technology also allows you to create a mobile access point (hotspot), turning your phone into a router to connect other devices.
However, mobile internet depends on proximity and the quality of network coverage, which can impact connection speed and stability. On older 3G and 4G networks, for example, the connection can be significantly slower compared to cable broadband connections.
8. Internet via PLC
PLC (Power-Line Communication) internet transforms a home’s electrical grid into a data network. Plug-and-play technology allows adapters to transmit data through outlets, eliminating the need for additional Ethernet cables to connect devices.
This solution can be a cost-effective and practical alternative to wired networks, offering speeds of up to 1.5 Gbps. Simple installation—just plug the adapters into any outlet—allows connectivity to be provided in environments where cable routing is difficult.
On the other hand, the quality of the PLC connection can be affected by electrical interference from other devices and the distance between adapters. In older or more complex electrical installations, performance can be inconsistent, limiting the network’s range and stability.
9. 5G FWA Internet
5G FWA (Fixed Wireless Access) is a residential internet solution that uses 5G mobile network infrastructure. A fixed router captures the 5G signal from a cell tower and distributes it as a Wi-Fi network , eliminating the need for fiber optic or coaxial cables.
The technology can deliver speeds of up to 10 Gbps and low latency, enabling high-resolution video streaming, online gaming, and seamless video conferencing. Besides being quick and easy to install, some carriers offer the service at competitive prices compared to fiber-optic options.
However, the quality of a 5G FWA connection depends directly on the proximity and signal strength of the cell tower. Speed and stability may be compromised in areas with weak coverage.
10. Dial-up Internet
Dial-up internet was one of the first ways to access the internet, connecting through a landline. This technology used a modem to convert digital data from a PC into analog signals that could be transmitted over the phone line and vice versa.
One of the advantages was its low installation cost and widespread availability, as it leveraged the existing landline telephone network infrastructure. This made the internet more accessible to a greater number of people in various regions.
However, dial-up internet became obsolete due to its extremely slow speeds, with transfer rates that never exceeded 56 kbps. The connection also took up the phone line and generated call charges for each connection, making prolonged use impossible.
What type of internet is the fastest?
Fiber optics is the fastest commercially available internet technology, with residential connections reaching speeds of up to 10 Gbps. In 2024, researchers at Japan’s National Institute of Information and Communications Technology recorded speeds of 402 terabytes per second (Tbps).
This technology uses glass filaments to transmit data via light pulses, allowing for superior speeds and improved internet signal strength. Fiber optics’ extremely low latency ensures that data reaches its destination with minimal delay.
Fiber optics also stands out for its stability and resistance to electromagnetic interference. Therefore, it’s the best option for activities that require high bandwidth and reliability, such as 4K streaming, online gaming, and video conferencing.
What is the difference between fiber optic internet and broadband internet?
Fiber optic internet is a specific type of broadband connection that uses cables with very thin glass or plastic filaments. These filaments transmit data in the form of high-speed light pulses, ensuring greater stability and faster connections.
Broadband internet is a broad term that describes any high-speed connection. This definition applies to a variety of technologies, including ADSL, coaxial cable, and fiber optics.
What is the difference between radio and satellite internet?
Wireless internet uses radio waves to transmit the signal, which travels from telecommunications towers to an antenna installed in the user’s home. This type of connection, which relies on direct line of sight, typically offers higher speeds and lower latency, but its range is limited to the towers’ coverage area.
Satellite internet operates by sending and receiving data between a satellite dish at the user’s location and a satellite orbiting Earth. While it offers nearly universal coverage, making it ideal for remote areas, the technology typically has lower speeds and significantly higher latency due to the long distance the signal travels.
Does satellite internet work well on rainy days?
No, satellite internet is affected by weather conditions such as rainy days. Heavy rain, snow, and dense clouds can weaken the signal, causing speed drops and even connection interruptions.
Signal degradation, known as “attenuation,” occurs because water molecules in the atmosphere absorb and scatter radio waves sent and received by the satellite. The intensity of the interference depends on factors such as rainfall volume and the signal frequency used by the operator.
As reported by researchers at the VTT Technical Research Center in Finland, even light rain can moderately affect data transmission, potentially hindering satellite internet use in areas prone to rainy seasons.
