Cable Internet Vs Satellite Internet; Which One is Better For You

There could be a lot of trouble when it comes to selecting an internet service provider either for your home or for business. You have to make a hundred considerations before reaching a conclusion, and in this case, your preferred internet connection. Cable and Satellite are two major internet connectivity options available, based primarily on your geographical location.

Each one of them comes with its own advantages and disadvantages for you to weigh in your respective situation to reach the ideal match. You can compare internet plans by different providers to reach your ultimate package by entering your Zip code and compare internet service providers available in your area.

Most of us are well acquainted with cable internet owing to the ubiquity of the Cable TV service that is practically available almost everywhere. Whereas satellite internet is a lesser-known alternative. Let’s dive into the differences in both the technologies and the needs they meet effectively.

How they work

Most local cable television providers usually offer cable internet access. This sort of service is available on its own or bundled at a discounted rate with television and telephone services. It operates with a modem that connects to an incoming cable, usually provided by the cable internet provider. Either it will be a new cable wired into your house or your current television service cable will be spliced.

In contrast to cable, a satellite provider offers satellite internet. An internet connection transmits a signal to the respective satellite in space, which then communicates that signal to a fixed dish installed in your home. Satellite internet isn’t just a popular option in rural or remote areas, but often a predominant one and sometimes the only option in certain areas for a reliable internet connection capable of meeting today’s connectivity and speed requirements.

Reliability

Cable internet is usually the more reliable one between the two choices, as it is transmitted directly via physical cable instead of a satellite signal that is more susceptible to interference. Of course, this can differ from area to area; if there are regular interruptions to cable television service in your area, this will also extend to the available internet service. Thus making cable a little less effective in such situations. In addition, the cable company’s reliability and credibility will also be passed to its Internet service offerings.

Satellite internet requires a clear line to the Southern sky, however, bad weather, thunderstorms, or physical barriers such as trees, hills, or buildings can fairly obstruct the signals. Considering these types of physical and climatic barriers, the cable is less vulnerable to disruption. In some cases, though, satellite internet will continue to function even if cable internet is not, because the network is more reliant on a remote satellite than your local internet service provider is.

Connection Speed

Download speeds typically range from 20-100 Mbps on average, over cable internet. Many cable internet service providers currently offer download speeds of more than 100 Mbps. Upload speeds are usually a lot slower at 1.5 to 5 Mbps. Your bandwidth gets divided among neighbouring customers in your region when using cable internet. This means that your internet speed will decline at peak traffic times, particularly because cable internet is a popular connection option for heavy file sharers, video streamers, and online gamers. Cable internet often faces latency or data processing delays of 100 milliseconds; however, latency varies from 25 to 500 milliseconds on average.

The Internet from a satellite can be much less dependable than cable service when it comes to speed.  Download speeds are typically between one and 15 Mbps, with 1 or 2 Mbps upload rates. Latency can range from one thousand to two thousand milliseconds. Satellite internet has enough bandwidth for routine usages such as email and web browsing, however, high-demand requirements such as gaming and massive uploads of video can be incredibly difficult for a satellite connection to handle.

Availability

Cable internet service is available in almost every area that offers cable TV coverage. Although this might imply that it is accessible to a majority of consumers, if you are in a remote or rural area with restricted cable access, it may not be a suitable choice for you to use cable internet. That being said, cable broadband is still among the finest-known and one of America’s most commonly accessed network service.

Satellite internet is often less renowned, but is available practically everywhere, including rural areas with minimal cable connection. As highlighted before, satellite internet is the only high-speed option available for internet service in remote areas. Although not many people consider going for a satellite connection in urban environments, it is a comfort blanket for rural communities and is the standard high-speed internet alternative in those locations.

Let us know your preferred choice and share your experience in the comments below!

Nida Shahid Digital Marketer at Local Cable 

 Business graduate, writer, digital marketer, traveller, Interior design enthusiast, and a proud dog parent. Probably one of the most amazing things about her is her ability to stay relevant. Her work has been posted on multiple blogs and e-zines across the web. Find her on twitter.