Broadband Internet: what is best for you?

Back in the day, a dial-up internet connection with a maximum speed of 56 kbps was a status symbol.
Although the number of online activities were quite limited, people were not complaining. Today, we are still inching our way up to faster internet.
Under the umbrella of broadband internet, there are 4 kinds of technology that can be chosen: DSL, cable, satellite and fibre optic.
DSL

DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, is a broadband service delivered via traditional copper phone lines. Although internet connection is fed via telephone lines, what separates DSL from dial-up is that it has 2 frequencies. Voice and data transmission can be facilitated simultaneously.
Unlike dial-up, it’s possible to make a phone call while the computer is hooked to the internet with DSL.
To have an efficient DSL service, your location should be relatively near your DSL provider’s central office.
DSL technologies are split into 2 kinds: Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL).
If your internet activities are limited to receiving (downloading) rather than sending (uploading) data such as web surfing, an ADSL connection is a perfect fit your needs.
ADSL connections are perfect for residential use. If you need a significant amount of bandwidth for receiving and sending data (such as video conferencing), it is best to have an SDSL connection.
Cable

Copper phone lines can deliver broadband internet and coaxial technology feeds data to your television set with sounds and pictures via a cable connection. If you want a cable connection at home, you don’t necessarily have to be within the vicinity.
One drawback with this kind of connection is that you’ll be sharing the bandwidth among other subscribers within your area.
That being said, if there are more subscribers connected to the internet at a given time, internet speed will slow down. Be informed about peak times so you can manage your cable internet subscription wisely.
Fibre

Fibre Optic is the newest of all varieties offered by broadband service providers. Instead of sending and receiving data via traditional copper wires, fibre broadband utilises fibre optic hairlike glass strands that transmit data via light pulses.
Fibre optic, as a technology, is not necessarily new although in terms of infrastructure still in early stages. Should you be interested in having this kind of connection at home, inquire whether your location can be serviced with a fibre connection.
Satellite

For remote regions and areas that cannot be serviced with a DSL or cable internet connection, satellite broadband is a perfect fit. If there are terrestrial broadband technologies, there are also broadband technologies in space in the form of orbiting satellites.
Broadband internet is about high access speeds. If you want an internet connection that will not disappoint, consider a broadband connection and  kind of technology suits you. It may cost a little more, but if you want convenience and efficiency, the choice is obvious.
Resources:
broadbandgov