
It helps to think of what you are downloading (a website, a music file, a photo) as a completed digital puzzle and individual puzzle pieces as the digital “bits”-the pieces travel individually or in packs and are reassembled in their original file/form when they reach their destination (your device). However, whenever you experience slow-downs or files are taking a long time to download, it’s because your internet connection, for whatever reason, isn’t fast enough to do it seamlessly.

Of course, this happens so incredible fast it all looks you’re getting the file in one piece. The data (words, photos, files, music) is broken into digital units called “bits.” Those bits get reassembled to complete the file. Here are the top Internet Service Providers by the technology used:ĭata travels in huge chunks of individual pieces. But some people live in (or may find themselves located in) an area that don’t have cable, fiber optic or DSL internet options…and satellite is their only choice. Satellite cable is used primarily by people who can’t get one of the other types of internet-and it offers the slowest speeds and the lowest “maximum” speed. Satellite internet may sound fancy and “ooooh” hi-tech, however, it’s not. Fios from Verizon for example, is a fiber optic connection, and there are others.


