To answer this question we should first consider all the types of broadband Internet and find out which one is most suitable for you. There are six different types of commercial broadband Internet that are found on today’s market: ADSL, cable, wireless, satellite, SDSL and mobile.
ADSL broadband connection
ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, and this is one of the most popular broadband connections available today! It utilizes an already existing phone line infrastructure that is already in placed but unlike Dial up it will not occupy your phone line. With ADSL you can make phone calls and be online at the same time! This is possible as ADSL works on a different frequency range than the ones used by regular phone calls. This also means that there will be no hidden costs on your phone bill. Micro-filters are installed to your phone line to separate phone calls and your Internet connection. Generally your ISP will provide you with all the needed equipment. An important characteristic of ADSL connection is that it has a higher download speed than upload speed; it was designed that way mainly as the user will always need more download than upload speed.
Cable broadband connection
Cable is the second most popular broadband connection on the market. This type of broadband connection works through the already existing cable TV infrastructure, this means that you need to have cable TV in order to get cable Internet. Most of the time cable TV operators are also the ISPs for cable broadband Internet and offer it most of the time together with cable TV or as a side service. With cable Internet you will need a splitter, among other hardware; it is a device that separates the TV signal from your Internet signal.
Wireless broadband connection
In more rural parts of the world smaller towns or areas where cable or ADSL is not available wireless is often the best option you might have. Wireless is less attractive as it is less stable than landline connections. Wireless broadband works through an antenna that is installed on the top of your house, and works much like the TV aerial antenna that sends and receives signals to and from your ISP. The antenna is connected to a modem or router that will deliver broadband connection to your router.
Mobile broadband connection
Mobile broadband is a fairly new technology and its popularity is constantly rising. Mobile broadband is easy to use and you are completely mobile to use it wherever you have mobile phone reception. Mobile broadband works through mobile network infrastructure. Once you connect your USB will dangle to your PC and after it completes a very short installation of it you will be ready to surf the web. With mobile broadband you are really mobile, you can surf the net or check your e-mail on the train, bus, in a coffee shop, bar or your summerhouse.
Satellite broadband connection
Satellite is often a last resort when none of the above is available. In order to make a satellite broadband connection you will need much more expensive hardware, like a satellite dish. This connection works through the receivable data from satellite broadband through a satellite dish and sending them either through dial up connection or back through a satellite dish. Note that the 2nd option would be much more expensive.
SDSL broadband connection
Last but not least is SDSL or Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line. This type of broadband is much like ADSL and works on the same general principle. The difference is in fact that ADSL has a much higher upload speed than download speed. SDSL is mainly offered to companies that need to send large amounts of data on a daily basis.
How to choose which type of connection is right for you? Well it is really simple. If you are dynamic young person that is always on the move and are in need of a fast connection wherever you are or simply want a fast Internet connection that is fairly easy to use and set up but you do not plan to play online games or download loads of movies then mobile broadband is probably your best option. But if you are owner of a desktop computer that lives in the city you should go for ADSL or Cable broadband as they offer best quality for your money and are very stable, fast and cheap. For those of you who live in rural areas Wireless is definitely the best option next to Mobile broadband. If none of these are available then your only option will be satellite broadband.
Which type of broadband Internet connection do I need? is a post from: Broadband Guide