You want to get connected, but words like Fibre, ADSL or LTE have you wondering where to start

In the wave of new internet acronyms that crop up daily, finding what you need can quickly become difficult.

When looking for an internet connection, should you be trying to find fibre, ADSL or LTE options?

ADSL is the internet connection that you are probably most accustomed to as it uses the same copper cables as phone lines to deliver internet services to your home.

It was the most popular connection given that it used existing infrastructure but was limited on download and upload speed and the infrastructure has since become outdated.

LTE is what your phone uses to connect to the internet when not on a Wi-Fi network.

This works as a signal which is broadcast from cellphone towers, in the same way a mobile phone call would occur.

It is still popular given its importance in mobile communication, but can be unreliable and expensive as a home internet solution.

Fibre is the newest way to be ‘plugged in’, using an updated version of the type of infrastructure used for ADSL.

Special cables are laid directly between the internet service provider and your home which ensures consistent speed, while sidestepping the problem of poor cellphone tower signal.

It is the most reliable option when looking to connect from the comfort of your own home, particularly if you are going to be using the internet to stream or game.

With a router, this connection can also be converted into Wi-Fi so that you are connecting to the internet without the need for a special cable.

This is ideal to limit your mobile data charges and for connectivity anywhere in range of the router.

As the pandemic rages on and entertainment is more often found from the couch than the cinema, fibre may be the best way to go, assuming it’s in your price range.