The most common form of Digital Subsriber Line (DSL) service for homes and business is delivered over ordinary copper telephone lines.  It's an "always on" connection to the internet that does not interfere with your normal phone service. This is different from Dial-up, which prevents phone calls from being dialed or received while connected to the internet.  DSL is restricted by the distance it can reach from the phone company's service building.  The speed of a DSL connection is right around the average speed of broadband services being delivered to homes in the U.S. today.

Cable Modem

This device enables a subscriber to link his/her computer to their cable TV line and receive a broadband connection to the internet.  This connection is "always on" and delivers a connection with average speeds equal to those of most broadband services being delivered to homes in the U.S. today.  The device itself is usually provided by the cable company.  This service is available to most cable TV subscribers in Michigan. 

Wireless

Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs) can vary in size from offering service from just one tower, to covering a large geographic area.  Instead of building miles of wire, WISPs broadcast a signal from a single location to offer internet to many homes and businesses.  Service usually requires equipment installed at the customers premise to receive the signal, sometimes requiring line-of-site to the towers.  The typical wireless connection has average speeds below the average offered to wired homes and businesses.  However, the speeds are still 3 to10 times faster than a Dial-up connection.  Wireless signals can be restricted by having to penetrate thick trees and/or buildings.

Cellular

Most cell phone carriers have the ability to offer data services to their customers over their existing networks.  Data is sent over the same signal as cellular voice is sent, and received by the same access points positioned on towers in the area.  Data speeds depend upon the type of equipment located on the towers as well as strength of signal.  Much like wireless, this type of broadband service has limitations, but does not require line-of-site to towers. 

Satellite

This is a form of wireless broadband technology that requires a satellite dish and clear line-of-sight to orbiting satellites to send and receive data transmissions.  A satellite connection offers average speeds right around those being delivered to most homes in the U.S. today.  Satellite does have drawbacks with respect to signal fading in inclement weather conditions.  Also, there is a delay that can be noticed when trying to stream video or handle voice conversations over the connection.  Satellite still is a very viable option for rural customers that have no other means of connecting to the internet via broadband.