What Is Broadband Internet?

Broadband is a very broad term (see what we did there?). There are many kinds of internet connections that fit under the umbrella, including:

• Cable internet
• Fiber-optic internet
• 5G home internet
• DSL internet
• Satellite internet
• 4G/5G wireless internet

There are some key differences between these different kinds of internet.

Cable and fiber home internet connections offer the fastest download speeds and are very common in most urban and suburban areas.

But fiber internet is more reliable and has faster upload speeds.

4G and 5G broadband connections use cellular network towers, like those run by Verizon and AT&T, to provide broadband internet to cell phones, hotspots, and other devices. There are no cables involved, but it’s still faster than the old dial-up internet.

DSL internet actually uses the same phone wires that old dial-up internet connections used, but it is significantly faster than what AOL or Netscape Navigator used to be.

Meanwhile, satellite internet uses, you guessed it, satellite dishes! It’s not the fastest option but it’s great for those who live in rural areas.

What all of these different internet connections have in common is that they are always connected (as in you don’t have to “dial up” using a modem) and they give you relatively fast speeds (of at least a few Mbps).

So we know what broadband is. But let’s take a moment to talk about what is NOT broadband internet. Here are a couple of examples:

• Dial-up connections that use a phone line (you remember that sound, right?)
• Local LAN networks

As you can see, the list of broadband internet types is longer than the list of non-broadband connections. That’s because almost every modern internet connection is broadband.

The equipment that you need for broadband internet depends on what kind of connection you want.

The first thing you’ll need for any broadband connection is a way to hook up to the network. For wired connections, this means a phone line (for DSL) or coaxial/fiber optic cables. In most areas, internet companies have already built this infrastructure. You just need to make sure there’s a line running to your home.

Most connections—including DSL, cable, and fiber—will require some kind of modem. But the kind of modem you use will depend on your speeds and your particular internet provider. If you want to have a Wi-Fi network in your home you’ll also need a wireless router.

Finally, you need some devices that can use the internet. With the whole “internet of things” the list of internet-ready devices is long, but you can probably guess the most common ones: computers, tablets, phones, TVs, etc.

Mobile broadband refers to high-speed cellular internet connections. If you’ve seen a 3G, 4G, LTE, or 5G icon on your phone, then you’ve used mobile broadband internet.

While most mobile internet connections are slower than home internet connections, that’s starting to change. Those who live in areas with millimeter-wave 5G networks can see speeds of over 100 Mbps!

No matter where you live, having a solid unlimited data cell phone plan is one of the best ways to get a reliable broadband internet connection.

High-speed internet is big business, and there are a lot of companies competing for customers. But there are a few standout internet companies that offer the best prices, performance, and perks. We’ll highlight a few of our favorites here.

Xfinity internet is available all over the United States and it offers some of the most competitive prices on super-high-speed plans. In most places you can get enough internet bandwidth for you and your whole family for around $50-$60 a month.

If you’re a serious gamer or you have to Zoom in to a lot of work meetings, you might want to consider upgrading to a fiber optic internet plan. Fiber networks have faster upload speeds and are more reliable overall. Both Verizon and AT&T offer great deals on fiber internet. Check out if either offers service in your area using this tool.

Satellite internet is still broadband, but it will never be able to compete with cable and fiber providers when it comes to speed. That said, many users don’t have an option for wired internet connections. If you’re way out in the boonies or trying to go off grid, then Viasat is your best bet.

Broadband internet technology has come a long way in the last 20 years, and it’s sure to change a lot in the next 20. There are new innovations in internet technology dropping every year, like 5G and Wi-Fi 6.

One obvious way for broadband to expand is to offer faster speeds. This is sure to happen. Already, home internet providers are selling plans with 1 Gbps connection speeds (that’s 1,000 Mbps!), but there’s no reason it can’t get faster.

However, speed isn’t the only thing that matters. The future of broadband will probably include innovations in wireless technology, security, and overall efficiency as well. We also hope that, as high-speed internet becomes more ubiquitous, accessibility in rural areas will become easier and prices will go down across the board.