There are six main types of home internet services: DSL, cable internet, fiber optic, satellite, fixed wireless and even the original dial-up.If you work from home, teach or learn remotely or do other activities that require a fast and stable internet connection, knowing what type of internet you have is key.When you know what type of connection you have, you can ensure you are using the best connection for your household’s online activities.
Enter your ZIP code to view internet plans available near you Can I tell what type of internet connection I have by the service provider? You may not have been the person to shop and sign up for the internet service provider (ISP) you currently use, or maybe you moved into a home or apartment that already had internet service included.Regardless, if the type of internet connection you have is unknown, knowing who the internet provider is won’t necessarily reflect your type of service.This is because several ISPs — like AT&T, CenturyLink and Frontier — offer more than one type of internet connection under their brand name.
How do I find out what type of internet connection I have? Here are two quick and easy ways to find out what type of connection you are working with.1.Determine your internet connection type by equipment Examine your modem and router: Most current modem and router combos (e.g., gateways) will have the type of internet connection marked on the device Identify the type of plug: If your modem is connected with a coaxial cable, then you most likely have cable internet.
However, if the other end of that coaxial cable connects to a satellite outside your home, then you have a satellite connection Other equipment clues: Your router may plug into an optical network terminal (ONT), a large box that also connects to an outside wall.If so, you have fiber internet.If your modem is connected to a phone jack, you have either DSL or dial-up internet.
A modem and router that only plugs into an electrical outlet is typically a 5G or fixed wireless internet connection 2.Determine connection type with an internet speed test Run a quick speed test on your computer.A speed result of 200 – 1,000 Mbps or higher likely means you have either cable or fiber internet service — some 5G services can also deliver speeds up to 1,000 Mbps, though that is less common.
Speeds of up to 100 Mbps are typically DSL or satellite connections, and a (very slow) speed of 56 kbit/s or less signifies dial-up internet Speeds too slow? Discover the connection and speed you need or switch providers to find a more suitable plan.Check your ZIP code to find the best speed for your home Compare types of internet connections Before you pick your internet service provider, learn about the different internet connection types and which browsing habits they best serve.Based on your internet usage, you’ll find that certain types of internet connections are better suited for the activities you enjoy.
Keep in mind that speeds, plans and availability vary by location. The following table compares each internet connection type by speed range and best use cases, along with some of the top providers that offer it.Connection typeDownload speed rangeBest forProviders Fiber internet300 – 10,000+ MbpsHouseholds seeking the utmost reliability and speedAT&T, Verizon Cable internet100 – 2,000 MbpsAverage internet use, browsing, streaming, gaming and remote workSpectrum, Xfinity 5G internetUp to 1,000 MbpsLight to moderate internet use, less than 10 devices, depending on available speedsT-Mobile, Verizon Satellite Up to 400 MbpsGood for rural areas, hard-to-reach locationsStarlink DSL25 – 100 MbpsLight internet use, like email, basic browsingCenturyLink Dial-up internetLess than 1 MbpsInfrequent, bare minimum online useNetZero A brief history of internet connection types The internet as we know it today didn’t take shape until 1989 when Tim Berners-Lee invented the World Wide Web.In 1992, Sprint became the first company to offer dial-up internet commercially, bringing the internet to the public at large.
By the mid-2000s, telecommunications companies began introducing cable, DSL, fiber optic and satellite internet, effectively rendering dial-up internet obsolete for most people. However, as of 2024, roughly 127,000 U.S.households — approximately 0.1% — still had dial-up as their only internet access, according to the U.S.Census Bureau’s 2024 American Community Survey.
Notably, the cost of internet is a primary reason dial-up persists, with NetZero even offering a free internet dial-up plan with 10 hours of access per month.How to choose the type of internet connection you need for your home Depending on your browsing habits, one type of internet connection may work better than others.Compare DSL vs.
cable, cable vs.fiber internet and more based on your internet usage.Compare cable, DSL, fiber, fixed wireless and satellite internet connections Activities Suggested speedsCableDSL FiberFixed wireless Satellite Email, web surfing & online shopping on 1 – 2 devices5 – 10 MbpsXX Email, web surfing & online shopping on 3+ devices10 – 25 MbpsX Streaming video in standard definition5 – 10 MbpsXX Streaming video in HD10 – 30 MbpsX Online gaming, 1 – 2 devices10 – 25+ MbpsX Online gaming, 3+ devices25+ MbpsXX Working from home40+ MbpsXXX Learn more about how finding the right internet connection can upgrade your home Wi-Fi.
Check back at the Resource Center or follow our experts on Facebook and Instagram.Internet connection type FAQs What are the different internet connection types? Fiber, cable, satellite 5G/fixed wireless and DSL are the different types of internet connection types.What is my internet connection type? If you’re curious about your internet technology, you can look at your equipment to find out what type of tech you have.
Also, your internet provider can let you know more about the technology used to deliver your connection.What is the best internet connection type? Fiber internet is widely considered the fastest and most reliable type of internet available, but cable is also a great choice for home internet.What is the best internet for gaming or streaming? Fiber is the best type of internet for gamers and streamers, but cable is a solid alternative, too.
How are cable and fiber different? Fiber uses different technology than cable.It transmits data using light signals over glass cables, whereas cable transmits data using electrical signals over copper cables.Related pages Allconnect reports the latest on U.S.
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