People get connected to the internet in different ways, from DSL and broadband to satellite and cable internet, Wi-fi, and more. All of these have different configurations, the type of ethernet to use, plan prices, and providers. Because working remotely would also factor in our different work requirements, picking the type of internet just can’t be a one-size-fits-all deal.
Here, we’ll talk about cable internet, and if it’s available in your area, would it be a good fit for your remote work needs.
What is Cable Internet, exactly?
This type of high-speed connection uses a cable TV infrastructure to provide users with an internet connection. If you already have an existing cable TV, there’s a good chance your cable TV provider also offers internet plans since both the cable TV and cable internet would pass through the same line.
How Does Cable Internet Work?
There are three elements to any cable internet connection:
- Modem: If you had used dial-up, DSL, Wi-Fi, or another broadband internet in the past, you know that this device is needed to get access to a connection. The modem is placed inside your house with the cable running from the modem to the CMTS (think of this as a cell tower that is housed in the cable internet provider’s premises).
Cable TV providers (or your ISP/internet service provider) often include a free modem with your plan, but only when the plan has a year-long term. Any standard model would do, as long as it can serve as the middleman between your computer and the cable service provider.
Most cable internet plans also include a router, which is needed for Wi-Fi or for connecting multiple devices to the internet simultaneously.
- Coaxial cable: You’ll connect your modem with a coaxial cable to your computer or other devices. Another cable would then run from the other side of your modem to the location of your cable provider’s CMTS.
Coaxial cables are able to transmit and receive data over long distances. If you’re worried about the TV competing with your internet, don’t. Standard cable TV uses just a tiny part of your plan’s bandwidth, which is why the cable providers can easily subscribe you to an internet plan within the same network as your cable TV.
- Cable modem termination system (CMTS): This piece of hardware won’t be placed in your home, but you can’t connect to the internet without it. It will be housed in your cable provider’s office, site, or any other facility.
Pros and Cons of Cable Internet
If you have a home office set-up and would need your landline to be free for any business calls, a cable internet wouldn’t use your landline to connect online. And unlike dial-up internet, cable internet doesn’t “drop” your connection regularly.
If you don’t need a phone line, since most business can be done online anyway, cable internet allows you to conduct your business completely online without the need to pay for a phone line.
Cable internet is also a lot faster than satellite and DSL connections, so transferring files, streaming videos, playing games online, or downloading/uploading photos at high speeds are possible.
The main problem with cable internet is two-fold:
- Unlike DSL and satellite, cable internet isn’t available in all areas.
- The speed of cable internet would depend on the number of people in your area connected to the internet at the same time. Meaning, if you work during peak hours (or when people within your vicinity use the same cable provider), you might experience noticeably slower connections.
The initial investment needed for your cable internet installation could also be higher than dial-up and DSL, especially if you’ll be running the coaxial cable all over your house. Yes, the longer coaxial cable needed, the higher add-on fees you’ll need to shoulder.
Is Cable Internet Good for Remote Work?
If you’re choosing between cable internet and dial-up, cable internet wins hands down, every time. However, once you begin to compare it with broadband or DSL, it can be tricky because these connections all have pros and cons. DSL and cable internet also come in a wide range of plans from as little as 50 Mbps to over 1,000 Mbps, so it would depend on what plan you can afford.
What many people like with cable internet is that your distance to the cable provider’s CMTS will not affect your internet speed. Those coaxial cables were designed specifically to accommodate long distances and you’ll feel the stability of your connection because of them.
Cable internet should be fine with most remote work requirements, even if you require uploading or downloading a large number of files daily. However, if your tasks are bandwidth-heavy, such as saving rendered videos to the cloud as you go, a higher cable internet plan (or advanced DSL or fiber optic internet) would be more appropriate for your needs
