Compare your options
Not all internet is built the same.
Here’s a plain-English look at how home and business internet gets to you, and what that means for your day.
Internet types side by side
| Fiber | Cable | 5G Home | Satellite | DSL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| How it reaches you | Glass strands carrying light | Over the coaxial TV line | Cellular signal to a receiver in your home | A dish talking to satellites in space | Over the copper phone line |
| Upload speed | As fast as its download | Much slower than its download | Varies | Limited | Limited |
| Consistency at busy times | Steady | Can slow when the neighborhood is online | Depends on tower traffic and signal | Can be affected by weather and congestion | Steady but slow |
| Lag (latency) for video calls and gaming | Very low | Low | Low to moderate | Higher, depends on the system | Moderate |
| Weather and distance | Not affected by distance to the provider | Generally stable | Affected by distance from the tower, walls and trees | Can be affected by heavy rain or snow | Gets slower the farther you are from the provider’s equipment |
| Room to grow | Can be upgraded without new lines | Some room | Some room | Some room | Near its limits |
| Best fit | Homes and businesses that do a lot at once | A solid option where fiber isn’t available | A flexible option with no wires to the house | Rural spots with no wired option | Basic browsing and email |
Fiber
- How it reaches you
- Glass strands carrying light
- Upload speed
- As fast as its download
- Consistency at busy times
- Steady
- Lag (latency) for video calls and gaming
- Very low
- Weather and distance
- Not affected by distance to the provider
- Room to grow
- Can be upgraded without new lines
- Best fit
- Homes and businesses that do a lot at once
Cable
- How it reaches you
- Over the coaxial TV line
- Upload speed
- Much slower than its download
- Consistency at busy times
- Can slow when the neighborhood is online
- Lag (latency) for video calls and gaming
- Low
- Weather and distance
- Generally stable
- Room to grow
- Some room
- Best fit
- A solid option where fiber isn’t available
5G Home
- How it reaches you
- Cellular signal to a receiver in your home
- Upload speed
- Varies
- Consistency at busy times
- Depends on tower traffic and signal
- Lag (latency) for video calls and gaming
- Low to moderate
- Weather and distance
- Affected by distance from the tower, walls and trees
- Room to grow
- Some room
- Best fit
- A flexible option with no wires to the house
Satellite
- How it reaches you
- A dish talking to satellites in space
- Upload speed
- Limited
- Consistency at busy times
- Can be affected by weather and congestion
- Lag (latency) for video calls and gaming
- Higher, depends on the system
- Weather and distance
- Can be affected by heavy rain or snow
- Room to grow
- Some room
- Best fit
- Rural spots with no wired option
DSL
- How it reaches you
- Over the copper phone line
- Upload speed
- Limited
- Consistency at busy times
- Steady but slow
- Lag (latency) for video calls and gaming
- Moderate
- Weather and distance
- Gets slower the farther you are from the provider’s equipment
- Room to grow
- Near its limits
- Best fit
- Basic browsing and email
What this means at home
Work and school
Video calls stay clear when you’re sending as much as you’re receiving.
Streaming and gaming
Low lag and steady speed when everyone’s online at once.
Small business
Cloud tools, backups and card readers that don’t stall at noon.
Honest advice
The best connection is the one available at your address.
I’m a local, independent retailer, so I’ll tell you straight what’s available where you live, and if fiber isn’t there yet, what your next-best option is.
— Dan
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Call or text Dan at 763-888-8211.
Performance varies by provider, plan, location and equipment. This page compares technologies in general, not any specific provider’s service.