How do I Choose the Best Broadband Internet Service?

Broadband Internet has become the dominate method for internet service providers. Choosing the best broadband Internet service typically depends on the location and budget of the individual or company. Today, broadband can be purchased through cable, phone, or satellite companies. Each provider offers several benefits and cost models, which are typically based on usage and demand requirements.

Both cable and digital subscriber line (DSL) provide reliable Internet speed and service. This is typically sufficient for most Internet users. A cable-based broadband Internet service is typically faster then the DSL service. This speed depends on the neighborhood usage and cable modem speeds of the specific provider.

DSL is a broadband Internet service that uses a standard phone line. This service provides a decent upload and download capacity but requires a home to be close to the phone provider's central location. Most rural communities do not offer DSL coverage because of the vast distance between isolated homes and larger communities. DSL is a good option for a homes and businesses in a city. The cost is typically comparable with most cable services providers.

Satellite broadband Internet service is the most flexible but typically the slowest option of the three. This service requires a satellite dish and special equipment that transmits digital signals to a global dish. Satellite broadband service is better then dial-up service but does not give a consistent high-speed performance. This makes it a poor choice for streaming video or audio. The Satellite can be used anywhere, which makes it a good solution for rural communities that have limited options.

Mobile broadband is a form of broadband service that is available from most mobile phone companies. This form of broadband does not typically provide performance at a level that is required for heavy Internet usage. It works well for basic email and web surfing, but has limitations for large downloads, and video streaming. Most mobile broadband is used for laptops.

Broadband for business is one of the better versions of broadband available. This type of service is typically reserved for large organizations that need the heavy throughput of a data center. Some examples include reservation systems, social networking applications, and large search engines. These types of applications would require heavy broadband Internet service. Most business-only broadband provides both high availability and large capacity for data transmission.