There are 4 ways to connect your PC to the Internet from your home:
1. Dial-up via phone line
2. DSL via phone line
3. Via Cable
4. Via Satellite
Dial-up modem connection has been available since early 1990s and is limited to 56Kb/s (56,000 bits per second. Bit is the smallest unit of data). A low data transfer rates as compared to DSL, Cable or Satellite modems).
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) modem and Cable modem has been popular in the past few years because they are no longer expensive, as compared to few years ago.
Your ISP (Internet Service Provider: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, etc.) will provide DSL modem when you sign up. DSL modem will connect to the Internet via your land-line phone.
Your Cable modem will connect to the Internet via your cable provider.
Your Satellite modem will connect to the Internet via your Satellite provider.
Connections via DSL, Cable modem and Satellite modem are called high-speed or broadband connections because they provide data transfer rates much higher than Dial-up connection.