The main choices out there for broadband are cable, DSL, and fiber optic (the most common comparison is cable vs dsl because fiber optics are harder to access – although technology is changing rapidly).

There are similarities between all of them, as well as some differences, that you should know about in order to make an informed decision.

Before we look at the choices available, it’s important to understand how this electronic device operates: in the simplest of definitions it is used to send and receive digital data over a phone line.

Cable: connects via radio frequency channel on cable television lines.

DSL: is used to send and receive data over a DSL phone line (in order to use high speed ADSL service).

Fiber optic: sends and receives data through fiber optic lines typically laid underground in new construction.

When you are ready to buy, you need to compare amongst the many types available: there are fiber optic, cable, and DSL modems..

The next few pages will look at the different types of service and discuss the similarities and differences between the three. The main properties I will cover are: