What type internet connection do i have

Digital Subscriber Line DSL DSL is a wireline transmission technology that transmits data faster over traditional copper telephone lines already installed to homes and businesses. ADSL typically provides faster speed in the downstream direction than the upstream direction.

ADSL allows faster downstream data transmission over the same line used to provide voice service, without disrupting regular telephone calls on that line. Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line SDSL — Used typically by businesses for services such as video conferencing, which need significant bandwidth both upstream and downstream.

Cable Modem Cable modem service enables cable operators to provide broadband using the same coaxial cables that deliver pictures and sound to your TV set. Fiber Fiber optic technology converts electrical signals carrying data to light and sends the light through transparent glass fibers about the diameter of a human hair. Fiber transmits data at speeds far exceeding current DSL or cable modem speeds, typically by tens or even hundreds of Mbps.

The actual speed you experience will vary depending on a variety of factors, such as how close to your computer the service provider brings the fiber and how the service provider configures the service, including the amount of bandwidth used. The same fiber providing your broadband can also simultaneously deliver voice VoIP and video services, including video-on-demand.

Telecommunications providers sometimes offer fiber broadband in limited areas and have announced plans to expand their fiber networks and offer bundled voice, Internet access, and video services. Wireless broadband can be mobile or fixed. Wireless technologies using longer-range directional equipment provide broadband service in remote or sparsely populated areas where DSL or cable modem service would be costly to provide.

Speeds are generally comparable to DSL and cable modem. An external antenna is usually required. Wireless broadband Internet access services offered over fixed networks allow consumers to access the Internet from a fixed point while stationary and often require a direct line-of-sight between the wireless transmitter and receiver.

These services have been offered using both licensed spectrum and unlicensed devices. That means you can get satellite internet basically anywhere in the US. But it also means your internet will be fairly slow because your signal has to travel literally to space and back again—a distance that could span up to 1, miles one way—to reach your computer, tablet, or phone. Satellite internet could get a lot more spectacular in the near future as companies like SpaceX race to launch LEO low-Earth orbit satellites into the cosmos to provide improved speeds and reduced latency.

The type of internet connection you have is determined by your internet provider. You can either have fiber, cable, DSL, satellite, or fixed-wireless internet.

Some customers may also have access to 5G or another type of internet through their cell provider or a company like Starry Internet. The most common type of internet connection is cable. DSL is also extremely common. You can find out your internet connection type by checking to see what kind of connection you have between the network and your modem.

Punch in your zip code to see what internet providers and internet connection types are available in your area:. See Your Providers. Author - Peter Holslin. Peter Holslin has more than a decade of experience working as a writer and freelance journalist. At HighSpeedInternet.

Cara Haynes has been editing and writing in the digital space for seven years, and she's edited all things internet for HighSpeedInternet. When she's not editing, she makes tech accessible through her freelance writing for brands like Pluralsight.

She believes no one should feel lost in internet land and that a good internet connection significantly extends your life span. So which internet type is best for you? Search by zip code Search Providers. What types of internet are available?

DSL, fiber, and cable DSL, fiber, and cable are the most common types of internet services available. Satellite You can also get satellite internet, which beams an internet signal down from space. What is the best type of internet connection?

Type your zip code to find different types of internet providers in your area: Search by zip code Search Providers. How to know what type of internet you have. Unavailable in Zip Check New Zip. View Plans Available in Zip. Check Availability Zip. Pro tip: If you want more info about providers and what types of connections they have, see our guide to comparing internet providers.

Fiber internet. View Fiber Providers. Fiber is truly the fastest, most reliable, and most high-tech internet around. Efficient connections Symmetrical upload and download speeds. Less availability Higher prices. What are the best fiber internet plans? View Plans. Cable internet. View Cable Providers. Cable internet is reliable, fast, and pretty much ubiquitous. Fast speeds Frequent promo offers. Lengthy contract requirements Slower speeds during peak hours.

But if you need to work from home , teach or learn remotely or other activities that require a fast and stable internet connection, you need to know the type of internet you have. To make sure you are getting the best connection for what you and your family are using the internet to accomplish. Not necessarily. Even the two typically fastest types of internet, cable vs.

Not to mention that the advertised speed vs. There is more than one method to determine what type of internet connection your home has. Check out these quick and easy ways to find out what type of connection you are working with. Take a few minutes to locate and examine the internet equipment around your house. Locate your modem and router and see what wires are connected to it. Most current modem and router combos, also known as gateways, will have the type of internet connection clearly marked on the device.

But if your modem or router is not labeled, simply find the description below that matches your home setup to determine your internet connection type. Can you still figure out what type of internet connection you have without having to play electrician? Unfortunately, no. You can, however, make an educated guess based on speeds. Run a quick speed test on your computer, and measure the results here:.

Try these helpful hacks to improve your internet speed. Or if you just want more bang for your buck, check out providers near you with more speed for the price. Rather chat? Give us a call: Pro Tip: For best results, use an Ethernet cord to connect your router or modem directly to your device before you run the test. Before you pick your internet service provider, learn about the different internet connection types and which browsing habits they best serve.

Many internet connection types offer a range of internet speeds, so in some regions, shoppers can get similar speeds from a variety of providers. In other areas, one type of internet connection may be distinctly slower or faster than another type. Depending on your browsing habits, a certain type of internet connection may work best for the needs of you and your family.

Keep in mind that certain types of internet connections may or may not be available where you live and that providers offering the same type of connection may supply drastically different speeds. The chart above is based on minimum required internet connection speeds, service reliability during peak usage, latency and upload speeds. For instance, satellite internet provides speeds adequate for gaming, but has high latency, which often prevents a consistent gaming experience. Additionally, cable internet and fiber connections can handle most online activities.

However, satellite or DSL internet may be higher value options if you mainly use the internet to occasionally browse or stream. The best internet for your home varies by how many connected devices are in use in your household, your online activities and the reliability of your provider.