What Is Broadband Internet?

Lauren Hannula Managing Editor

Updated 08 December 2023

In this Guide

What Is Broadband Internet?
How Broadband Internet Works
Types of Broadband Internet
How to Get Broadband Internet

Article Summary

Broadband internet is a digital high-speed connection that that transmits information via cables and dedicated frequencies, rather than standard phone lines. There are four different types of broadband internet connections: cable, fiber, DSL, and satellite. Depending on where you live, you may have access to one or all types of broadband internet.

If you're reading this right now, it very likely means you're doing so via a broadband internet connection. But like many buzzwords, the term is one we often hear and use, but is rarely explained. So what does "broadband" mean, and how does it differ from other internet types?

Let's go over the definition of broadband internet, as well as explore the different kinds of broadband internet from which to choose.

What Is Broadband Internet?

Broadband internet is a high-speed internet connection that carries data over a wider range of frequencies, resulting in faster internet speeds and continuous online access. That's a fancy way of saying that broadband is one of the fastest and most reliable internet options.

To be classified as broadband, according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), an internet connection must reach download speeds of at least 25Mbps and uploads of at least 3Mbps, as most broadband connections prioritize downloads (that is, receiving data from the internet) more than uploads (i.e., sending information from your computer to the internet).

Broadband connections are digital, meaning all of the information sent—whether it's a photo, text, or sound—is broken down into a digital "bit" of data and transmitted via a broadband connection type. This helps the information travel much faster than previous telephone (or "dial-up") connections.

How Broadband Internet Works

Short for "broad bandwidth," broadband networks connect through a network of cables—and specific frequencies within those cables—that are dedicated solely to internet access.

Depending on your chosen broadband type, your internet service provider (ISP) will send and receive signals through either coaxial cables, fiber-optic cables, or even your phone line—but without interfering with any other service those cables might be delivering.

For example, if you're connected through cable internet, your ISP uses untapped frequencies within the cable lines to transmit internet service, rather than those that deliver your cable TV service. Because of this, broadband internet is referred to as being "always on." Broadband maintains a continuous connection, much like a lamp plugged into a wall—whether or not it's switched on, it always has access to the power it needs.

Types of Broadband Internet

There are four main types of broadband internet:

Fiber (up to 1 Gbps speeds)
Cable (up to 400Mbps speeds)
DSL (up to 100Mbps)
Satellite (up to 50Mbps)

We’ve got a lot more detail on all of these connections over at our full breakdown of broadband internet types. For now, here's a brief overview of each.

Fiber Broadband Internet

Fiber internet is the fastest connection type, reaching blazing speeds of up to 1Gbps. It typically delivers equal download and upload speeds, which is excellent for remote workers or live-gamers. However, fiber is still currently in its nascent stages of infrastructure buildout in the U.S., meaning it’s the least widely available connection type. Still, fiber internet access is growing, with providers like Verizon Fios and AT&T expanding their networks rapidly over the last couple of years.

#1	AT&T	AT&T Fiber Connection Speed 300 Mbps $35/mo Deal: Get up to $32/mo savings off your internet bill for the first 12 months.	100%	View Plan
#2	Frontier	Frontier Fiber Connection Speed 500 Mbps $29.99/mo	70%	View Plan
#3	Xfinity	Xfinity Fiber Connection Speed 1200 Mbps $100/mo	67%	View Plan
#4	Kinetic	Kinetic Fiber Connection Speed 100 Mbps $24.99/mo	56%	View Plan
#5	Ziply	Ziply Fiber Connection Speed 100 Mbps $35/mo	30%	View Plan

Cable Broadband Internet

Cable internet is both fast and widely available, utilizing already-existing infrastructure built for cable television networks. Your internet service provider sends signals through the same coaxial cables that hook up to your TV, but as mentioned, it uses dedicated frequencies reserved for internet only. Cable broadband internet can also reach speeds up to 1Gbps, though this isn't the norm like it is for fiber. Instead, you'll often find high-speed cable internet plans ranging widely from 25-400Mbps.

Since most people in the U.S. have easy access to a cable network, this broadband type is the most popular kind of internet connection. So even if you've cut the cord in favor of streaming, you can still put your cable connection to good use with a streaming-friendly high-speed internet plan.

#1	Xfinity	Xfinity Cable Connection Speed 300 Mbps $40/mo Deal: Get simple, seamless WiFi with 99% reliability. $40/mo for 5 years. No contracts, no data caps + equipment included.	100%	View Plan
#2	Spectrum	Spectrum Cable Connection Speed 1000 Mbps $70/mo	73%	View Plan
#3	WOW!	WOW! Cable Connection Speed 300 Mbps $20/mo	35%	View Plan
#4	Optimum	Optimum Cable Connection Speed 300 Mbps $25/mo	12%	View Plan
#5	Breezeline	Breezeline Cable Connection Speed 100 Mbps $20/mo	4%	View Plan

DSL Broadband Internet

DSL internet uses your phone lines to get online, but in a different way than dial-up internet. Instead, DSL transmits data through unused frequencies within the phone cables, creating a dedicated internet connection that doesn't block or compete with your voice service. It's not as fast as cable, but it's also extremely accessible (and often cheaper), since phone networks reach even more areas than cable networks. DSL is a great option for customers in rural or remote areas.

VDSL Connection
Speed 100 Mbps
$55/mo

100%

View Plan

Fiber vs. Cable vs. DSL Internet

We put the most popular internet types head to head to help you compare connections for your household. Check out our guides to fiber vs. cable and cable vs. DSL to figure out which type is best for you.

Satellite Broadband Internet

Satellite internet is the most widely available broadband internet type—and also the slowest and least reliable. With satellite internet, your signal is sent all the way to a satellite orbiting 23,000 miles above the earth… which takes quite a while. It's also highly sensitive to factors like weather patterns, solar flares, and other natural phenomena, meaning a reliable internet connection is dependent on pretty much perfect conditions. The upside is that a satellite connection can reach literally anywhere. If DSL isn't an option for you, satellite internet can get you online from wherever you are.

#1	Starlink	Starlink Satellite Speed 100 Mbps $55/mo	100%	View Plan
#2	Viasat	Viasat Satellite Speed 50 Mbps $71.22/mo Deal: New customers get a $300 Mastercard Reward Card	12%	View Plan
#3	Hughesnet	Hughesnet Satellite Speed 25 Mbps $49.98/mo	3%	View Plan

How to Get Broadband Internet

When you're looking to get broadband internet, you need to consider:

Where you live (urban/suburban vs. rural)
How fast you want your internet to be
Your monthly internet budget

Providers and plans are specific to your address, so you'll need to do a bit of homework to find a broadband plan that's available in your area. WhistleOut's internet comparison tool shows you all of the plans in your location that meet your criteria—including your chosen broadband connection type, speed, and price. Simply enter your address to get started.

Want to narrow it down even further? Check out our picks for the best home internet deals currently up for grabs, or take a look at the most popular internet providers below.

#1	Xfinity	100%	View Plan Plans from $40/mo
#2	AT&T	97%	View Plan Plans from $35/mo
#3	Spectrum	69%	View Plan Plans from $40/mo+ $20 Upfront
#4	Verizon Fios	36%	View Plan Plans from $34.99/mo+ $99 Upfront
#5	Frontier	35%	View Plan Plans from $29.99/mo
#6	Kinetic	27%	View Plan Plans from $24.99/mo
#7	Astound	22%	View Plan Plans from $30/mo+ $14.99 Upfront
#8	WOW!	16%	View Plan Plans from $20/mo+ $10 Upfront
#9	Quantum Fiber	16%	View Plan Plans from $50/mo
#10	Starlink	16%	View Plan Plans from $55/mo+ $369 Upfront

Lauren Hannula

Managing Editor

Lauren is WhistleOut's Managing Editor. With over 14 years of digital writing and publishing experience, she's developed a passion for breaking down overly complex topics to offer easy, affordable solutions that help make the most of the tech you already have in your pocket. Her work has appeared in industry stalwarts such as CNET, Yahoo! News, and Forbes.

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