Optical fibre, cable or Wi-Fi? Which connection is actually available in Prague

When internet connection is mentioned, most people think of either a cable from an operator or fibre optics. In Prague the offer is more varied and, alongside classic technologies, wireless connections between transmitters on house roofs are still used. How the individual options differ and what makes sense to consider.

To begin with, it is important to distinguish between two different things that are often confused in everyday language. The wireless internet connection discussed further in this article refers to the link between transmitters on building roofs. This is where data flows from the provider to the house. In contrast, a home Wi-Fi router merely distributes the signal throughout the flat, whether it arrives via fibre optic cable, wired connection, or wirelessly. Even the fastest connection can be slowed down inside the flat by a weak or older router.

Optical connection (FTTH)

Optical cabling running directly to apartments or businesses is today's technological standard with the highest transmission capacity. The signal travels as light through glass fibre, delivering high speeds in both directions, low latency and minimal interference from surrounding activity. Optical fibre also offers future headroom, capacity can be increased without replacing the cabling, simply by upgrading the technology at the end devices. In the dense urban fabric of central Prague, optical coverage is already at a very good level, though not yet 100%.

Coaxial cable connection

Connection via coaxial cable, previously used mainly for cable television, can offer decent download speeds, but data upload is usually more limited and capacity is additionally shared among multiple households on the same line. In older housing where fibre optics have not yet arrived, this remains a widespread and functional alternative.

DSL: a technology in decline

Connection via telephone line was long the most accessible technology, but today it lags in speed and providers are gradually replacing it with fibre or cable. If someone offers you this technology as the only option today, it is appropriate to ask when fibre is planned for your area.

Wireless connection: myths about "air

Wireless connections between antennas on building roofs have a long tradition in Prague and represent a sensible solution in parts of the city where cable infrastructure has not yet reached. However, there are many simplified notions about it. A high-quality wireless link with line-of-sight visibility between transmitters can offer stable speeds comparable to cable connections, and the technology has advanced significantly over the past ten years. The reality, conversely, is that link quality depends on weather conditions, obstacles in the signal path, and building density, in areas without direct line-of-sight between points, it may not work at all. Wireless connectivity therefore makes sense primarily where cable or optical solutions have not yet arrived.

How to find out what is available in your area

General coverage maps are indicative and not always up to date, technology availability can vary from house to house, even between entrances on the same street. The most reliable approach is to verify availability directly with the provider for your specific address, ideally before initiating termination of your current contract. In newer developments and renovated buildings, fibre optics are almost always available; in older central properties, it pays to check whether the optical cable has reached the building or only the street.

What affects the speed inside the flat

Even the highest-quality connection from your provider can be slowed down inside an apartment by several common factors: an older router lacking support for newer standards, a congested 2.4 GHz frequency band shared with a neighbour's network, or simply a wall between the router and the device. For stationary devices such as a desktop computer or television, it is therefore worth using a wired connection instead of Wi-Fi, even if the distance is only a few metres. The difference between speeds measured via cable and via Wi-Fi is often more significant than the difference between individual tariffs.

What to choose

If fibre is available in the area, it is usually the best choice in terms of speed, symmetry and stability. We have written more about this in the article on symmetrical internet for working from homeWhere aesthetics are not a concern, it is worth comparing the specific parameters of wired and wireless solutions directly for the given address, rather than relying solely on the general reputation of the technology. An overview of questions to ask providers can be found in the article. How to choose an internet provider.