Work from Home Internet for Parents: DSL vs. Satellite vs. Fiber Internet
Working from home may be one of the best things that happened to many of us. We don’t need to wake up early just to catch the bus or train, we can avoid the traffic, and we can spend more time with our families. But then again, working from home has its own challenges—one of which is finding a fast and reliable internet connection.
In this article, we’ll break down three major internet types and determine which one is better for your work-from-home setup, so you can find the best satellite internet for your home in no time.
DSL vs. Satellite vs. Fiber
DSL, satellite, and fiber internet are three of the most common internet types in the United States. While comparing them can be a bit challenging, especially when they offer unique advantages that make them stand out from the competition.
DSL, or digital subscriber line, is a type of internet connection that uses copper phone lines to deliver high-speed internet. It’s one of the most widely available internet types in the country and is often bundled with home phone services.
Satellite, on the other hand, requires a dish installed on your roof that communicates with orbiting satellites. Satellite internet is best for rural areas where other options aren’t available.
Fiber optic internet is another popular option that uses thin glass fibers to deliver data at high speeds—faster than both DSL and satellite. However, it’s not as widely available as the other two options.
Pros and Cons of DSL Internet
DSL internet is one of the oldest types of internet connection. It uses the same line as your phone line, but unlike dial-up, you can use them simultaneously. It doesn’t offer the best speeds, but it can still deliver reliable connections for several online tasks, such as sending emails, browsing the web, and more.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Decent speeds | ✗ Slower than fiber internet |
| ✓ Phone service bundles | ✗ Shared connection with neighbors |
| ✓ Widely available |
Pros and Cons of Satellite Internet
Satellite internet is the most accessible type of internet in the country. The two major satellite internet providers, HughesNet and Viasat, are the only ISPs that can claim they are servicing all 50 states in the United States.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ No need for landline | ✗ High latency |
| ✓ Available in all states | ✗ Expensive equipment |
| ✓ Reliable connection | ✗ Easily affected by weather |
Pros and Cons of Fiber Internet
Fiber internet is considered king when it comes to home internet. Its ultra-speed allows users to download, upload, stream, game, and many more without any lags or delays. While it’s not as accessible as other types of internet at the moment, most fiber providers, like AT&T, Verizon, and Spectrum Internet, are making great efforts to make fiber widely available across the US.
| Pros | Cons |
| ✓ Speeds up to 1Gbps | ✗ Poor availability |
| ✓ Symmetrical upload and download speeds | ✗ More expensive than DSL and satellite |
| ✓ Can withstand extreme weather conditions |
What is the Best Internet for Work-from-home Setups?
There’s no easy answer as to what type of internet is best for work-from-home setups. It all boils down to your location, budget, and needs. If you live in a rural area, satellite might be your only option. Fortunately, satellite internet is not as slow as everyone expects, but it can cost you money because of its data caps. Of course, if you are concerned about the speed or connection you are receiving a simple internet speed test will be able to tell you if you are receiving the speed that your provider has advertised.
If your work requires heavy bandwidth tasks and frequent video conferencing, then fiber is the best option. Unfortunately, it’s not yet fully accessible to all areas in the country. So, you might want to consider other internet types. However, if you just need a decent connection for basic online tasks, then DSL should suffice.
No matter what type of internet you have at home, the important thing is that you have a reliable connection so you can stay productive while working from home.
Final Thoughts
If we were to compare the overall performance of the internet connection, it’s safe to say that your best option would be fiber internet. However, that’s not always the case since fiber is not yet widely available in all areas of the country. If you have the budget for it and you need a reliable and fast connection for work, then go for satellite internet. But, if you just need a decent connection that is widely available, then DSL may be your best choice.
