Woman working from home with daughter playing under desk

Woman working from home

Image of a young gamer playing on a desktop pc.

Image of popcorn and a remote in front of a screen.

An image of a city being connected through fiber optic internet.

A visualization of data traversing through cables symbolizing an internet network.

A close view of multi-colored fiber optic cables.

A looping line that’s changing colors from purple to teal

A person with headphones on watching their laptop using WIFI

T-Mobile tackles the burning question, “What is broadband?” and gives you a simple, easy-to-understand definition.

Compare hybrid fiber-coax (HFC) and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) internet in 2025. Learn about speed, reliability, costs, scalability, and which is best for your home or business.

Hybrid Fiber-Coax vs FTTH: Key Differences in Speed, Reliability & Cost (2025 Guide)

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2025/12/Woman-working-from-home-with-daughter-playing-under-desk_IMA219288_Johner.original.jpg

Home

Choosing Between Hybrid Fiber-Coax vs. Full Fiber (FTTH): What You Need to Know

The Signal

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2023/05/ntc-tmobile-logo-default-800x520-1.png

T-Mobile Home Internet

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/49dd6d9f19699f0dfbf4019e775a85475f31a1031be7e7a8ff935a7edc35f215?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Aaron Town

HFC uses coax for the last mile, while FTTH runs fiber directly into the home.

What’s the biggest difference between HFC and FTTH?

DOCSIS is the technology that allows internet to travel over the same coaxial cables that were originally built for cable TV. DOCSIS 4.0 is the latest version, enhancing HFC with faster speeds and lower latency than earlier versions.

What is DOCSIS 4.0, and will it extend HFC’s life?

Enhanced HFC can deliver gigabit uploads and downloads with DOCSIS 3.1 or 4.0, but uploads often remain limited.

Can HFC match fiber speeds?

Coax cable often reserves more bandwidth for downloads. Fiber supports nearly equal upload and download speeds.

Are uploads slower on HFC?

It depends on your provider, location, and more.

Does FTTH cost more per month?

Wondering if fiber is the best internet for gaming? Discover how symmetrical speeds, low latency, and reliable performance give gamers a competitive edge.

Fiber Internet for Gaming: The Best Connection for Competitive Play

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2025/09/Fiber-Internet-For-Gaming.jpg

Fiber Internet for Gaming: The Connection Competitive Gamers Trust 

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/83ece213c4110eee1ab04d0435fde2478ff3d5e963207719cc5ff8f2c0766547?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Rebecca.Beers

Explore how fiber optic technology and fiber internet support 8K streaming by delivering high bandwidth, low latency, and signal stability - essential for next-gen media.

The Role of Fiber Optics in 8K Streaming Technology

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2025/09/The-Role-Of-Fiber-Optics-In-8K-Streaming.jpg

The Role of Fiber Optics in 8K Streaming 

How does fiber internet work to keep you seamlessly connected? We’ll unravel cutting-edge technology that brings data at the speed of light into your home.

How Does Fiber Optic Internet Work? | T-Mobile

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2025/08/How-Does-Fiber-Optic-Internet-Work.jpg

How Does Fiber Optic Internet Work? Benefits, Types, and the Right Plan for You 

Discover what fiber internet is, pros and cons, how it works, how fast fiber internet is, whether fiber internet is better than other options, and more.

What is Fiber Internet? | T-Mobile

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2025/08/Fiber-Internet-Explained.jpg

Fiber Internet Explained: Benefits, How it Works, and FAQs 

Do you know the difference between DSL internet, fiber internet, cable internet, and fixed wireless (5G Home Internet)? Here’s a quick breakdown of them all.

DSL Vs. Fiber Vs. Cable Vs. 5G Home Internet

DSL vs. Fiber vs. Cable vs. 5G Home Internet

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2024/10/dsl-vs-fiber.png

https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/5c75a127239ec051c3b9450aad51e56b1ca990041e4136e3d35d97acbb65076d?s=96&d=mm&r=g

Discover the different types of fiber optic cables and the benefits of fiber optic internet. Compare fiber connections with other types of home internet.

Fiber Optic Internet Cables: Benefits, Types, and the Right Plan for You

All Things Fiber Optic Internet Cables 

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2024/05/fiber-optic.jpg

What is WISP short for? It stands for Wireless Internet Service Provider. So, what exactly does that mean to you and how can you choose the right one? Read on!

What Is A Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP)?

What is a Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP)?

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2023/11/Wisp.jpg

What does DSL stand for? It stands for Digital Subscriber Line, and it's still being used today to keep some rural areas connected. But are its days numbered?

What Is DSL & How Does It Work?

What Is DSL &amp; How Does It Work?

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2023/11/DSL.jpg

What is broadband? It’s how you access the internet! We’ll take a closer look at the different types, including 5G wireless internet, cable, fiber & more.

What Is Broadband?

What is Broadband? 

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2023/09/Hero_What-Is-Broadband_CityView.jpg

Have questions about home internet or the internet in general? Here’s a quick refresher on what it is, different types of services, and how to choose a plan.

Internet Basics: What is the Internet? | T-Mobile 5G Home Internet

Internet Basics

https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/the-signal/_admin/uploads/2023/09/Hero_InternetBasics_MobileInternet.jpg

Fiber

Fiber Archives - The Signal

Compare

Compare Archives - The Signal

Gaming

Gaming Archives - The Signal

Latency

Latency Archives - The Signal

Streaming

Streaming Archives - The Signal

T-Mobile Home Internet Equipment

T-Mobile Home Internet Equipment Archives - The Signal

Technology

Technology Archives - The Signal

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi Archives - The Signal

Discover the devices that keep your home connected, from routers and modems to mesh Wi-Fi systems and smart-home accessories. Explore guides that break down how each device works, what features to look for, and how to choose the right equipment for your space. Whether you're upgrading for better speed, wider coverage, or stronger reliability, we’ll help you find the gear that fits your needs. Dive in to build a smarter, more seamless home-internet setup.

Internet Devices

Explore reviews and guides for routers, modems, mesh Wi-Fi systems, and other home-internet devices. Discover the right gear to boost performance, range, and reliability for your setup.

Internet Devices & Gear Guide | The Signal by T-Mobile

Need help with your internet setup, troubleshooting, or service questions? Browse our collection of easy-to-follow guides and support articles covering everything from installation and Wi-Fi setup to connectivity problems and provider comparisons. Whether you’re a first-time user or just tweaking your home network, we’ll walk you through the steps so you stay online with confidence. Dive in and get the help you need to keep your internet running smoothly.

Internet Help

Get step-by-step internet help for setup, Wi-Fi issues, slow speeds, outages, and more. Find clear troubleshooting guides to keep your home network running smoothly.

Internet Help & Troubleshooting Guides | The Signal by T-Mobile

Discover a full suite of resources to help you understand and choose the right internet service - from fiber optics and cable to DSL, satellite, and wireless 5G home internet. Whether you’re comparing technologies, exploring rural-internet options, or learning how to switch providers or stay connected during outages - we’ve got insightful guides and practical tips. Dive in to find the best internet solution for your home or lifestyle.

Explore expert insights on fiber, cable, DSL, satellite, and 5G home internet. Compare providers, understand technologies, and find the best service for your needs.

Internet Service Provider Guide | The Signal by T-Mobile

Discover all things internet-speed related, from the latest technology and home Wi-Fi solutions to essential security protections, provider options, and tips for troubleshooting lag. Explore guides that help you understand how much speed you need and how to optimize performance for streaming, gaming, remote work, and more. Want to elevate your home-internet experience? Check out <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet">T-Mobile Home Internet</a> and explore <a href="https://www.t-mobile.com/home-internet/plans">plan options</a> - or try <a href="https://fiber.t-mobile.com/">T-Mobile Fiber</a> for ultra-fast, reliable connectivity without the annual contract.

Speed

Find expert guides on internet speed: how much you need for streaming, gaming & remote work, how to test Wi-Fi, and tips to boost your connection.