Cable? DSL? Wireless? Satellite?

Click here if you just want to see Wireless Internet Providers in Muskoka

Cable: If you get TV through a cable (not a satellite dish) then you may be able to get cable internet. This would be the best option (or least bad!). It can provide the fastest and most reliable physical connection…which doesn’t say anything about the provider itself though. If you can get cable then you have many choices in internet providers. Search for internet providers in Ontario on Google.

DSL is internet through your phone line. DSL is different than dial-up internet. Although it is over your phone line, it does not tie up your phone line. Meaning you can use your phone at the same time. It is the second fastest and second most reliable service….again, not taking into consideration how the individual provider is.

Wireless lumps a few different products together. Generally, if there is no physical connection from the provider hardware to your home, it is considered wireless. The signal is beamed from a tower somewhere in your area to your home. The unit you purchase is a wireless receiver for this signal. This does not necessarily mean you now can connect wirelessly to the unit from your computer. It is just wireless from the tower to the unit. However some units (modems) do have the capability to re-broadcast the signal within your home and allow you to connect wirelessly.

Satellite: A dish similar to a satellite TV dish is mounted outside ( the difference is the signal goes 2 ways. Up and down). The cable runs inside. Service is better than dial-up but slower than the other products and it can be affected significantly by weather. Consider that a signal is actually being beamed from a Satellite up in low earth orbit and there is a lot in between here and there. Then your little dish has to beam a reply back to space. Unlike TV, this is a 2 way system. Usually it’s your tiny dish on earth that is the weak link in this system. Cost is about the highest too.