With advancements in technology, almost all of us need uninterrupted internet connections nowadays to use that technology. It is one of the vital elements of modern civilization that allows us to access an infinite amount of information with a blink of an eye! No business or even households can run their activities properly unless they have access to the web. It has brought a realm of knowledge and information to our fingertips. Many times we don't know much about the accessibility of services. There may be many providers that deliver high-speed internet, but you are required to pick the most competent one that suits your requirements and wallet.
Spectrum (News - Alert), being the second-largest internet service provider in the USA, offers high-speed internet to over 102.7 million Americans. The Spectrum channel lineup has come up with some unbeatable TV features that match your lifestyle. Now you can have the best TV viewing experience while enjoying your favorite programs without breaking the bank!
Navigating the Spectrum of Services
From the fastest fiber-optic to DSL, you may have many options to make your choice. What if your wallet doesn't allow you to pay for the fastest service or you don't have access to it? To make the most suitable decision, you need to know about the varieties of connections the high-speed internet providers offer.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) offers access to the internet via your telephone cable having twisted-pair copper wires. It allows using voice calls and digital data simultaneously. It utilizes a process of separating the signals into 3-bands of frequency where the lowest band transmits voice calls, and the other 2-bands work for downloading and uploading data online. DSL features low bandwidth with high latency. Its download speed varies from 5 Mbps to a maximum of 35 Mbps whereas, the upload rate is 1 Mbps to 10 Mbps.
Cable Connection
Another widely used connection is cable broadband that utilizes the cable TV network to transmit data. It is more reliable and offers faster service than the DSL. Since it uses coaxial copper cables for transmitting data, it features larger bandwidth and lower latency. The download speed of the cable broadband varies from 10 to 500 Mbps with a range of 5 to 50 Mbps in upload speed. You have to pay a bit more for a cable connection than DSL, and the speed may become a bit slower in the peak hours.
Fiber-optic
When it comes to a wired-internet connection, fiber-optic is the quickest and newest addition. It utilizes fiber optic wires to transfer information wholly or partially. In a fiber-optic networking system, data is transferred as light signals through small and flexible glass wires featuring the lowest latency with the highest bandwidth. It is the swiftest and the most expensive alternative, having the upload and download rate varying from 250 Mbps to a maximum of 1,000 Mbps. Despite being the speediest and most dependable broadband connection, according to the FCC, most of the Americans still don't have access to a fiber-optic network service.
Satellite Connection
In the places where DSL or fiber-optic network is still not available, satellite connection can be a solution. In this networking system, there are 3-satellite dishes. One dish is at the provider's hub, another is in space, and the last one gets connected to your property. Your computer transfers a signal to the satellite in space via the modem wirelessly. The message then gets transferred to the provider's revolving satellite. The signal reaches your computer via your dish and modem once the provider sends it back to the space-satellite. Featuring the highest latency and lowest bandwidth, satellite connection is the slowest among the alternates with a bandwidth maximum of 25 Mbps.
Fixed Wireless
A fixed wireless connection, utilizing a radio signal and antenna technology to transfer data online, is widely used in rural areas where cabling and other infrastructure required for DSL or cable connection are not possible. The fixed wireless option supports a bandwidth ranging from 1 Mbps to a maximum of 10 Mbps.
Choosing the Right Internet Service
You may need an uninterrupted internet connection for your business or even household purposes. Before you pick a service ensure you consider some factors; like availability, cost, reliability of the service and customer support.
What type of internet connection you can purchase depends on the available providers and services in your neighborhood as you may not find all services in your area.
Despite fiber-optic being the fastest service, most Americans still use a cable connection due to its affordability and reliable connection. Before you go for an internet link you need to consider the speed, your budget and the type of service you require. For one of the most reliable services, you can check the Spectrum internet prices that offer both fiber-optic and cable connections, depending on your location.
Final Thought
When you have a precise knowledge of the spectrum of services delivered by high-speed internet providers, you will be able to select the best one to meet your needs and budget.
