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CNET breaks down the internet connection types in this quick guide. The technology your ISP uses to send internet to your home makes a difference in speed, reliability, availability and more.
Shopping for internet is already hard enough as it is. Wading through promotional offers, confusing terms of service and trying to compare all the internet providers in your area can make your eyes glaze over. But there's one factor that may help you in your search: The connection type of your internet often determines the quality and satisfaction of your connection.
At CNET, we've encountered every internet connection type and can tell you first-hand the differences that the connection type you choose can make. If you're hearing for the first time that there's more than one way an internet provider connects you to the internet, buckle in. We're usually limited in our internet options by whatever is available at our address, but knowing the difference between how those connections work makes all the difference in finding a satisfying internet service.
This guide will walk you through the various types of internet connections that may be available in your area, how they work and what limitations you can expect from them. ISPs use wired or wireless connections or a mix of the two to get you online -- and that connection type makes all the difference in how fast your speeds at home will be. Wired connection types -- meaning a wire is connected directly to your home -- include fiber-optic , coaxial cable and copper also known as DSL internet.
