Ten Ways to Get Internet at Home

October 2024 | Nextworks

Are you looking for options to get online at a new house or apartment? Are you looking for faster and/or less expensive Internet? Perhaps you live in a rural location, and you are fed up with a slow DSL connection? Here is our stab at a comprehensive list of Internet options. Surprisingly, we came up with 10... or maybe just 9.

Cable

Technology: Coaxial Cable

Carrier Examples: Xfinity, Charter Cable, COX

Pros:

• Speed: Provides high-speed internet, typically ranging from 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
• Availability: Widely available in urban and suburban areas.
• Bundling: Often available as part of a bundle with TV and phone services, which can save money.

Cons:

• Shared or Throttled Bandwidth: Speeds can slow down during peak usage times since bandwidth is shared with neighbors.
• Cost: Can be expensive, especially if not bundled with other services.

Fiber

Technology: Fiber Optic Cabling

Carrier Examples: Xfinity, Verizon, Ziply

Pros:

• High Speed: Offers the fastest internet speeds available, often reaching up to 1 Gbps or more.
• Reliability: Less prone to outages and interference compared to other types.
• Low Latency: Ideal for gaming, video conferencing, and other real-time applications.

Cons:

• Availability: Not available in all areas, especially rural regions.
• Cost: Can be more expensive than other options, both for installation and monthly fees.

DSL

Technology: Digital Signal Over Conventional Telephone Lines (Digital Subscriber Line)

Carrier Examples: Centurylink, TDS

Pros:

• Availability: Widely available, even in many rural areas.
• Cost: Generally cheaper than fiber and cable internet.
• Dedicated Line: Unlike cable, DSL provides a dedicated line, so speeds are more consistent.

Cons:

• Speed: Slower than fiber and cable, typically ranging from 1 Mbps to 100 Mbps.
• Distance Sensitivity: Speed decreases the further you are from the provider’s central office.

Satellite (Low Earth Orbit)

Technology: Constellation of Thousands of Satellites (550 kilometers)

Carrier Example: Starlink

Pros:

• Availability: Can be accessed almost anywhere, making it ideal for rural or remote areas.
• Speed: Fast enough for almost any application with speeds ranging from 25 to 220Mbps. This continues to just get even faster over time.

Cons:

• Cost: Just a little more that cable but with $600 to purchase the equipment.
• Weather: Heavy rain or snow can affect connectivity. Most weather is not a problem.

Satellite (High Earth Orbit)

Technology: Geosynchronous Satellites (35,786 kilometers)

Carrier Example: Hughesnet

Pros:

• Availability: Can be accessed almost anywhere, making it ideal for rural or remote areas.
• Installation: Easy to set up with a clear view of the sky.

Cons:

• Latency: High latency due to the distance data must travel to and from satellites, which can affect real-time applications.
• Data Caps: Often comes with restrictive data limits.
• Cost: Can be expensive, both for equipment and monthly service.

Wireless (Fixed Antenna)

Technology: Point to Point Fixed Position Wireless

Carrier Examples: Local Internet Providers

Pros:

• Availability: Good option for rural areas where other types of Internet are not available.
• Speed: Can offer decent speeds, often comparable to DSL.

Cons:

• Line of Sight: Requires a clear line of sight to the provider’s tower, which can be obstructed by buildings or natural features.
• Weather Sensitivity: Performance can be affected by weather conditions.
• Installation: May require mounting on a pole.
• Rare: Not many Internet providers carry this service available anymore.

Wireless (5G Router)

Technology: 5th Generation Technology Standard for Cellular Networks

Carrier Examples: AT&T, Verizon

Pros:

• Speed: Offers high speeds, often comparable to fiber.
• Installation: Easy to set up with a 5G modem/router.
• Mobility: Can be moved to different locations within the coverage area.

Cons:

• Availability: Limited to areas with 5G coverage, which is still expanding.
• Interference: Can be affected by physical obstructions and network congestion.

Wireless (Mobile Hotspot)

Technology: Wireless Internet Sharing Over Cell Phone (LTE, 5G, Etc.)

Carrier Examples: Any Cell Phone Carrier

Pros:

• Portability: Can be used anywhere with cellular coverage.
• Flexibility: Great for temporary internet needs or travel.

Cons:

• Data Limits: Often come with data caps or throttling after a certain usage.
• Speed: Generally slower than home internet options like fiber or cable.

Ethernet or Shared Wi-Fi

Technology: Any of the Above Delivered to Tenants over Ethernet Cables or Wireless

Carrier Examples: Some Apartment Complexes or Condominiums

Pros:

• Speed: Offers high speeds, but it depends on the provider.
• Installation: Easy to set up with just about any wireless router or no equipment at all.

Cons:

• Availability: Only available in certain apartment complexes or condominiums.
• Flexibility: Provider may provide only a single speed option.

Dialup

Technology: Analog Phone Line and a Modem

Carrier Examples: Really?

Pros:

• Retro: Play an Enya CD and sail away in cyberspace.
• Cost: Inexpensive at $10 to $20/mo.

Cons:

• Speed: Very slow - 56kbps at best.
• Rare: Difficult if not impossible to find.

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