Technology types commonly used

Fiber-to-the-Home/Premises (FTTP): FTTP is a means to provide communications service by connecting a business or residence to the switch entirety by an optical fiber from an optical network interface at the point of entry at a residence or business. The optical fiber replaces the existing copper telephone line to a residence. As with cable internet, FTTP requires the provider to replace or bypass the existing copper telephone facility. Currently, FTTP service provides much faster connection speeds than DSL or cable internet service. 

Cable Internet: Cable internet service uses the hybrid fiber and coaxial cable frequently deployed by cable tv companies to provide television service. Cable provides continuous access to an ISP. Cable requires the provider to replace or bypass the existing copper telephone facility with a second wireline network. A cable modem Is required with this technology choice. 

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): DSL transmits digital IP (Internet Protocol)-formatted messages over standard telephone lines. The DSL service can be used simultaneously with the voice telephone service over the same telephone access line. A DSL modem is required to access the DSL signal. DSL provides continuous access to an ISP.

Satellite Internet Service: Satellite-based communications services offer an attractive telecommunications alternative for individuals located in remote areas. Subscriptions to satellite services are generally driven by the demand for television service in rural areas that lack a cable tv provider. This technology is affected more than the others by adverse weather and network congestion. Traditional satellite internet access can have significant monthly data limits and suffers from high latency. High latency diminishes the utility of interactive online gaming, live videoconferencing, and remote-control device applications. Several low-orbit satellite services are online and may be offered widely in the future. These services have higher speeds and lower latency than previous satellite technology. 

Fixed Wireless: Fixed wireless connects a subscriber’s home or business to a serving antenna by radio link. In the past, fixed wireless has been popular in rural areas because it can be installed without incurring the cost of a wireline network. The frequencies for fixed wireless are generally limited to line of sight. The coverage area can also be limited depending upon whether the broadcast spectrum in use is licensed or not (unlicensed fixed wireless must operate at lower power levels than licensed spectrum). Transmission speed for fixed (and mobile) wireless also depends upon the transmission technology.

• Third generation (3G) WiMAX provides an IP-formatted signal with a download speed of up to 6mbps while fourth generation (4G) LTE (Long-Term Evolution) provides a similar IP-formatted signal with a download speed of up to 300mbps. The Introduction of wireless 5G service began in 2017. 

Mobile Wireless: A variety of mobile wireless carriers offer Internet access using the 3G, 4G and 5G LTE transmission technologies. In rural areas, antennas are located to facilitate communication while traveling along roads. Some locations away from major roads in the northern portion of the state lack access to a mobile wireless signal. Mobile wireless internet service can have significant monthly data limits. 

Landline Switched-Access Service: Internet access is still offered over the traditional analog landline facilities. Dial-up access to an ISP uses the voice portion of the telephone access line, preventing simultaneous or dual-use of the line. This technology provides a low-speed data rate that is increasingly disfavored for internet communications and does not meet the definition of broadband.