Fibre vs DSL vs Cable vs 4G/5G: Which Home Internet Is Best?
Choosing an internet connection depends on what's available where you live. Each type works differently and has strengths and weaknesses. Here's a simple comparison.
Fibre (FTTH)
Fibre uses glass cables carrying light, all the way to your home (Fibre to the Home).
- Speed: very high, often 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps and beyond.
- Upload: usually strong, sometimes equal to download.
- Stability: excellent; not affected by distance like DSL.
- Downside: not available everywhere; installation may take time.
DSL / VDSL
DSL uses traditional telephone lines.
- Speed: modest; decreases the farther you are from the exchange.
- Upload: low.
- Stability: can suffer from old or damaged lines, rain and interference.
- Upside: widely available and affordable.
Cable
Uses coaxial TV cables. Good download speeds, but speed can drop at peak times because neighbours share bandwidth. Upload is often lower than download.
4G / 5G home internet
Uses mobile networks through a home router or device (often called a "device" or "Wingle"/MiFi in some markets).
- Speed: varies widely with signal strength and network congestion.
- Setup: instant, no cables. Portable.
- Downside: often data caps; performance drops at busy times; higher ping.
Satellite
Useful in remote areas where nothing else exists. Newer low-orbit satellite services offer much better speeds and ping than older satellite internet, but equipment and plans can be expensive, and availability depends on local regulation.
Quick comparison
| Type | Speed | Stability | Upload |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fibre | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
| Cable | Very good | Good | Fair |
| DSL | Fair | Fair | Poor |
| 4G/5G | Varies | Varies | Fair |
How to choose
- If fibre is available at a reasonable price, it's usually the best choice.
- Ask neighbours about real-world reliability and customer service.
- Check contract length, installation fees and data limits.
- Consider a 4G/5G device as a backup during outages.
Not sure how much speed you need? See our speed guide.
Questions to ask a provider before signing up
- What speed will I actually get at my address, not just "up to"?
- What is the upload speed?
- Is there a data cap or fair usage policy?
- What are installation fees and how long does installation take?
- Is the router included, rented or purchased? Can I use my own?
- What is the contract length and cancellation fee?
- How quickly are faults repaired, and how do I contact support?
- Is a static IP available if I need one?
Fibre installation tips
- Plan where the fibre enters your home and where the router will sit; a central location gives better Wi-Fi.
- Ask installers to avoid sharp bends in the fibre cable, which can reduce signal.
- Keep the ONT box and router on a shelf with ventilation.
- Test speed with a cable right after installation, before the technician leaves.
Using two connections
For people working from home, a second connection, such as a 4G/5G device alongside fibre or DSL, provides backup during outages. Some routers support "failover" with a USB modem or second WAN port, switching automatically if the main line fails. See keeping internet on during power cuts as well.
Frequently asked questions
Does fibre work during power cuts?
The fibre line itself does, but your router needs power. A small UPS helps. See keeping internet on during power cuts.
Is 5G home internet as good as fibre?
In strong coverage areas it can be fast, but fibre is typically more stable.
Keep reading
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