Fiber vs cable vs DSL internet
These are the three wired connection types most US homes choose from. Which is best depends mostly on what is available at your address.
Fiber
Data travels as light through glass strands. Fiber offers the highest speeds (often 1 Gbps or more), and upload speeds match download speeds. It has low latency, which suits gaming and video calls. Availability is still limited to parts of the country.
Cable
Cable uses the same coaxial lines as cable TV. Download speeds are high (commonly 100 Mbps to 1 Gbps) but uploads are much slower, and speeds can dip when neighbors share the line at peak hours. It is available to most urban and suburban homes.
DSL
DSL uses telephone lines. It is widely available, including in rural areas, but speeds are typically lower and fall the farther you live from the provider's equipment. It is a reasonable choice when fiber and cable are not offered.
Quick comparison
| Type | Typical download | Upload | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fiber | 300 Mbps – 5 Gbps | Same as download | Limited |
| Cable | 100 Mbps – 1 Gbps | Much lower | Wide |
| DSL | 10 – 100 Mbps | Low | Very wide |
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