What type connection do i have

To find out what type of internet service you have, you can ask your internet provider. Most internet providers have one type of internet on their network, or two at most.

You can also look at your monthly bill, or just look at the cable that connects your modem to the wall, as we explain in the chart below:. If you want more info about providers and what types of connections they have, see our guide to comparing internet providers. View Fiber Providers Fiber is truly the fastest, most reliable, and most high-tech internet around. Instead, it carries data over light signals through its own spiffy network of fiber-optic cabling.

That makes fiber incredibly powerful and fast, capable of reaching up to 2, Mbps although 1, Mbps is far more common. It also lets you take advantage of symmetrical internet speeds, boosting uploads to 10 times the speed of what you normally could get otherwise. This way you can upload enormous video files, do Zoom video-conferencing, and complete other upload-heavy tasks with fast speeds and no interruptions.

Additional taxes, fees, and surcharges apply. Speeds may not be available in your area. View Cable Providers Cable internet is reliable, fast, and pretty much ubiquitous. It runs over the coaxial wiring of a cable company, so you can usually bundle it with cable TV plans or streaming options.

And it has a much wider range of speeds available compared to DSL, so you have more speed tiers to choose from. Cable internet can slow down during peak hours since your service draws from a neighborhood-wide network.

Cable also tends to feature seasonal price hikes, so your bill can go up after a year or two of service. View DSL Providers Instead of photons zooming through fiberglass or signals beaming across the latest telecom protocols, DSL internet carries data over the old-school wiring of a landline phone network. That makes DSL many times slower than cable or fiber—and the signal gets even weaker as you get farther away from the main network.

But you can still stream in HD, surf social media, and do plenty of other stuff with minimal issues as long as you live in a small household. DSL is as widely available as cable. And DSL plans are fairly straightforward when it comes to pricing, so it can be a good option if you need Wi-Fi at a cheap price with minimal fuss.

View 5G Providers 5G is built on the latest generation of wireless technology, which promises superspeeds of 1, Mbps and faster with minimal buffering. But 5G networks are still in the process of coming together, so it may be a few years before 5G home internet becomes a properly viable internet type.

Right now availability is very limited, as most wireless companies are focusing on cell phone service. Also, the technology works best in densely-populated areas, so 5G rollouts are mostly focused around towns and cities, for now at least. Otherwise you will have to access 5G over a phone or hotspot, which requires that you get a 5G device. Although the speeds can be inconsistent—since they depend on where you are in relation to the nearest cell tower—4G LTE internet still has some perks, including an affordable price and availability in rural areas.

View Fixed-Wireless Providers Fixed-wireless technology delivers internet over radio signals beamed to an antenna console that you install in your home. That said, fixed-wireless internet will still give you slower speeds and less data for the money compared to cable, DSL, and fiber providers. But fixed wireless is usually offered by smaller internet providers, so that means you can get more personalized customer service experience. Be aware though: your laptop might have a USB Type-C port, but might not be able to charge through it.

MacBooks can, but other computers might only charge with their own charger. It depends on the model. It can be inserted either side up. Micro-USB can only be plugged in one way and has two hooks at the bottom to hold the cable in place.

Read more about those USB versions on this page. USB and Firewire are different standards, though they do the same job of transferring data. Or if you just want more bang for your buck, check out providers near you with more speed for the price. Rather chat? Give us a call: Pro Tip: For best results, use an Ethernet cord to connect your router or modem directly to your device before you run the test.

Before you pick your internet service provider, learn about the different internet connection types and which browsing habits they best serve. Many internet connection types offer a range of internet speeds, so in some regions, shoppers can get similar speeds from a variety of providers.

In other areas, one type of internet connection may be distinctly slower or faster than another type. Depending on your browsing habits, a certain type of internet connection may work best for the needs of you and your family. Keep in mind that certain types of internet connections may or may not be available where you live and that providers offering the same type of connection may supply drastically different speeds.

The chart above is based on minimum required internet connection speeds, service reliability during peak usage, latency and upload speeds.

For instance, satellite internet provides speeds adequate for gaming, but has high latency, which often prevents a consistent gaming experience. Additionally, cable internet and fiber connections can handle most online activities. However, satellite or DSL internet may be higher value options if you mainly use the internet to occasionally browse or stream. The best internet for your home varies by how many connected devices are in use in your household, your online activities and the reliability of your provider.

Learn more about how finding the right internet connection can upgrade your home Wi-Fi. Check back at the Resource Center or follow our experts on Facebook and Twitter. Lisa uses years of experience in sales and customer service for internet-TV providers to inform her writing on broadband. Her work has been referenced by CNN and other national sources. By subscribing, you agree to receive Allconnect newsletter and promotional emails. Your privacy is important to us.

Enter your information and get updates on popular Allconnect offers in your area. Why do we ask for your address? Small businesses in metropolitan areas often operate off a broadband connection, but companies in rural locations might not have access to cable or DSL.

High-speed Internet, as the name indicates, should be faster than dial-up, but line problems, signal interference and other issues can prevent an organization from receiving the benefits of a broadband connection. You should know what kind of Internet connection your computer uses to connect to the Web to ensure that you're receiving reliable service.

Use Network and Sharing Center in Windows 8 to find out whether your computer connects to a wired or wireless network -- or to no network at all -- and then check your network equipment to find out if you have dial-up, cable or DSL service.

Press "Windows-C," or hover the pointer over the top right side of the screen, and select "Search" from the Charms bar.