Want to get more out of your home internet?
It wasn’t that long ago—25, maybe 30 years—that homeowners only had one option for their Internet connectivity: dial-up. Thankfully, dial-up (and the sound it made while slowly connecting to the Internet) is a thing of the past. Today, we have choices. But deciding between fiber Internet vs. cable vs. DSL may feel a bit confusing at times. While each of these connections will get you online, they vary in how they do so and how well they deliver the speed being purchased. If you’re looking for help figuring out which Internet connection is right for you, we’re here. Ahead, we’re breaking down the differences between cable Internet, fiber, and DSL so you can find the option that best suits your needs. Read on for the need-to-knows.
What’s The Difference Between Cable, Fiber, and DSL?
DSL is one of the first Internet technologies. DSL uses your local phone line to connect to the Internet and transfer data. It is similar to dial-up Internet except it uses different frequencies for your phone Internet, so using both devices at the same time won't slow your connection. Between DSL, cable, and fiber optic, DSL is the slowest. If you choose DSL, your download speeds would be around 1 to 7 megabits per second. While this might be considered slow to some, this speed is a good amount for basic usage such as surfing the Internet, email, or standard music and video streaming. DSL would be too slow for high-definition videos, especially if you have multiple devices connected to your WiFi. Some Internet service providers do offer DSL packages with speeds up to 20 Mbps, which is slightly faster, but still is only best suited for fundamental Internet use. The main advantages of DSL are that it’s widely available and is the most affordable option when compared to cable and fiber optic. However, the disadvantage of DSL is that it’s the slowest of the bunch.
Is Cable Internet better than DSL?
As mentioned, cable Internet, fiber Internet, and DSL (which stands for digital subscriber line) will all grant you a connection to the Internet. But that’s where their similarities end. Keep reading for our comparison of cable vs. fiber Internet vs. DSL.
Fiber optic Internet
Fiber optic Internet connects to the web via fiber optic cables, which use light and very thin glass fibers to send and receive signals. With “Fiber to the Home” (known as FTTH), these cables run directly from your Internet service provider’s network to your home. This is the most advanced and fastest option for Internet connectivity. Fiber Internet speeds vary, but some plans offer speeds of up to 8,000 Mbps. Upload speeds are important specifically in relation to sending large files and participating in video chats—which makes fiber Internet an ideal choice for people who work from home. However, fiber optic Internet is currently only available in some regions. If you’re interested, you can check if fiber is available for your household here.
Key Facts:
- Symmetrical upload and download speeds
- Capable of supporting several devices simultaneously
- Speeds are consistent even when fibers are very long
- Not (yet) available everywhere
- Typically a more expensive option
Cable Internet
Cable Internet is the most widely-used type of broadband connection. It uses cable wires (hence the name) to provide an Internet connection and offers fast speeds—generally up to 1Gig. At these speeds, even households with multiple devices connected to the WiFi will be able to perform to the best of their capabilities.
Key Facts:
- Fast upload and download speeds
- More affordable than fiber Internet
- Can support multiple devices simultaneously
- Not available everywhere
- Speeds are consistent even when cables are long
DSL Internet
Like dial-up Internet, DSL connects to the Internet via your home’s landline (phone line). However, where dial-up Internet uses the same frequency for both phone and Internet connections, DSL uses two different frequencies. Effectively, that means you can use your phone and access the Internet simultaneously, without dropping or delaying your connection. And because it connects via your phone line, DSL is widely available. The downside: It’s slow, with download speeds maxing out at around 200 Mbps. These slower DSL speeds may be fine for an individual surfing the web but are less capable of handling streaming, gaming, or more intensive Internet usage.
Key Facts:
- Slow upload and download speeds
- Not ideal for larger households
- Only enough bandwidth to support basic Internet surfing
- Speeds decrease when wires are long
