What are the Types of Internet Connection?

Internet connection types may vary according to the basic needs of different environments, such as home or business, but there are standards with both low and broadband lines. Broadband lines, in particular, typically refer to and provide high-speed Internet access.

Internet Connection Types and Features

FCC (Federal Communications Commission) defines broadband service as a technology that enables data transmission at a rate higher than 200 Kbps per second or 200,000 bits per second in at least one direction. However, its primary meaning for users can be defined as transmission, which provides efficient and fast data transmission service, and data is sent at the same time.

Computer network administrators define broadband service as the medium in which two or more signals share a transmission medium. Broadband achieves faster access to information over the Internet using one of several high-speed transmission technologies and transmits text, image, and audio files as data bits.

An Internet connection providing broadband service transmits data bits much faster than telephone or wireless connections, be it dial-up connections or ADSL connections. Once the Internet connection is established, computers or other network devices can be connected to the Internet via telephone or power lines, coaxial cable, or wireless.

Benefits

Internet infrastructure types create a technical route to access many resources and services in a variety of ways in personal or business life. It also contributes to various ways of working with the development of different systems in the fields of education or health. It ensures that geographic and financial barriers are overcome to gain access to a wide range of opportunities and resources in education, culture, and entertainment.

In the health sector, it establishes the way of diagnosis, treatment, surveillance, and communication with experts. It facilitates the provision and assistance of medical services to remote populations with service deficiencies.

It enables technologies such as voice or digital television to access new telecommunications technologies over the TCP/IP protocol. It allows TSR (Telecommunications Relay Services) users to use VRS (Video Transmission Services) to communicate with voice phone services in an easier, faster, and more meaningful way.

Connection Types

   DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

DSL connection is a telephone transmission technology that quickly transmits data over copper phone lines already installed in homes and businesses. This Internet connection provides transmission speeds ranging from a few hundred Kbps per second to millions of Mbps. The speed of a DSL connection may depend on the distance from the phone company facility near the home or office.

DSL types are divided into symmetrical and asymmetrical. ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) service is generally used by users who surf the Internet and receive a lot of data but do not send much data.

The ADSL service provides a faster rate of data transfer to the user’s computer than the data transfer to the telephone switchboard. However, it does not interrupt regular phone calls on that line and allows faster data transfer over the same line to provide voice service.

SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is generally used in the business world for services such as video conferencing or cloud storage services needed by expert users. With this type of connection, the upload and download data rates are the same.

Among the faster DSL Internet connections, which are generally used by businesses, HDSL (High-Speed Digital Subscriber Line) and VDSL (Very High-Speed Digital Subscriber Line) types are included.

   Cable Modem

Cable modem service provides broadband Internet service using the same coaxial cables that cable operators send video and audio to your TV. The cable structure of most cable modem devices has two connectors, one end for the wall socket and the other for the computer. Also, data transfer rates are around 100 Mbps.

It allows watching cable TV and using the Internet at the same time, and transmission speeds may vary depending on the type of cable modem, cable network, and traffic load.

   Fiber Optic

Fiber optic technology converts data-carrying electrical signals into light and sends the light through glass fibers as thin and transparent as human hair. With this type of connection, data is transmitted at much higher speeds than DSL or cable modem speeds.

In addition, the variety of speeds supported may vary depending on the in-building deployment and proximity to workplaces that service providers deal with when installing fiber lines or the bandwidth used. In addition, the fiber line can simultaneously provide Internet telephony (VoIP) and video services, including video.

   Wireless

The wireless Internet line can be mobile or fixed. A WiFi connection often works with DSL or cable modem service to connect devices in a home or business to the Internet. This wireless technology connects your computer to the Internet using a radio link between the customer’s location and the service provider’s building.

Fixed wireless connectivity is used at airports, city parks, libraries, and other public places called access points. Fixed wireless technologies using directional equipment with a broader range provide Internet connectivity for remote or sparsely populated areas where other types of services would be too expensive.

In general, data transmission rates are compared to DSL or Fiber. They usually require an external antenna. With new technologies such as WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), even a small antenna installed near a window in the house is sufficient, and higher speeds are possible.

   Satellite

The satellites that revolve around the world provide the necessary connections for telephone and television services, and they provide Internet connection to the users with broadband connections.

The satellite link type is a derivative of the wireless broadband system and is also extremely useful for serving remote or sparsely populated areas. Data rates depend on various factors, such as the service package purchased and the provider, the location of the consumer to the satellite, and the weather, but data transfer speeds may suffer from service in severe weather conditions.

   BPL (Broadband Over Power Line)

BPL is an Internet service provided over the existing low and medium-voltage electricity distribution network. BPL transmission speeds are almost the same as DSL and Cable Modems but can reach homes using existing electrical outlets and connections.

Since power lines are installed almost everywhere, they have significant potential. They can easily reach all locations, far or near, eliminating the need to build new broadband facilities for every consumer.

Difference Between Broadband and Dial-Up

The broadband service allows more data to be transmitted at a higher speed through transmission lines. It also provides access to the highest quality Internet services, media services, VoIP, games, and various services.

Most of the new technologies that require high bandwidth are technically impossible to use with a dial-up connection service. Because newly developed services require the transfer of large amounts of data.

Broadband services are required to provide faster access to all the services offered by the Internet. Since this type of connection is always on, it does not occupy phone lines and, therefore, provides less delay in data transmission.