Internet Provider Resources

Frequently Asked Questions

• Introduction

  There are four main types of internet service: fiber, cable, DSL, and satellite. Fiber offers the top tier in internet connectivity. Fiber-optic cables deliver lots of data, quickly. However, fiber cable is not yet widely available due to the cost of building the necessary infrastructure.

  
  

  Cable internet shares the same infrastructure that cable TV uses. It’s capable of delivering dependable high-speed broadband internet. Most households in the U.S. have access to cable internet. But this can cause service slowdowns during peak hours.

  
  

  DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. It’s an older internet option that uses the old landline copper phone system wiring. DSL is widely available, less expensive, and more flexible than cable internet pricing. But it’s also slower and less reliable.

  
  

  Satellite internet is slow, and the service is less consistent than the other options. Most satellite internet service providers set data limits and require lengthy service contracts. However, it’s available in rural areas that don’t have much choice for internet services.
  

• What is an ISP?

  ISP is the acronym for Internet Service Provider. This is the company that provides users with internet access for a fee. Internet users require an ISP to reliably access the internet from their home or business. Many ISPs provide additional services, such as email, website hosting, domain name registration, tech support, cloud storage, and antivirus software.

• How does Google Fiber work?

  Google Fiber is an ISP offering broadband internet and home phone services to limited areas. It provides high-speed internet connectivity speeds, up to 1 gigabit. The enhanced internet speeds are possible due to its fiber optic cable network that uses light to deliver faster internet than the traditional options.

• How fast is my internet?

  As with bandwidth measuring, various online sites can test your internet speed. Simply run a speed test on one or more of these sites to learn how fast your internet runs. They test both your upload and download speeds.

• What is the internet?

  The internet is a global network, linking computers, laptops, smartphones, and other electronic devices. It’s a public interface used by individuals, businesses, nonprofits, governments, educational facilities, and other entities. A range of telecommunication hardware supports the internet. This includes Wi-Fi towers, servers, routers, data systems, cables, satellites, and computers. Approximately five exabytes of information is shared daily via the internet.

• Is 200 Mbps a good speed?

  Most households can operate all their internet devices well with 200 Mbps. This speed supports ultra-HD video streaming on up to eight electronic devices simultaneously. You may need a higher speed if you operate a home office, use a cloud-connected security system, or have more than four people using the internet at the same time, regularly.

• When was the internet invented?

  In the 1900s, innovators like Nikola Tesla, Vannevar Bush, and Paul Otlet conceived the idea of worldwide networks and systems similar to today’s internet. But a workable internet forerunner wasn’t designed until the early 1960s. Finally, on January 1, 1983, today’s internet was born with the adoption of Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocol by ARPANET.