Quick Answer
The answer is DSL because it is the most practical and cost-effective choice for a dense urban apartment building where a satellite dish is prohibited and no cable TV outlet exists. DSL operates over existing copper telephone lines, which are already present in the apartment, allowing for a simple, low-cost installation without requiring new wiring or external equipment. This question tests your understanding of internet connection types and their physical infrastructure requirements, a common scenario on the CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 exam where you must match the client’s constraints—like HOA rules and available outlets—to the correct technology. A frequent trap is choosing cable or fiber, but cable needs a coaxial jack and fiber may not be wired into older apartment buildings, while DSL’s ubiquity in urban areas makes it the reliable fallback. Remember the memory tip: “DSL uses the phone line you already own,” so when rules block dishes and coax is missing, DSL is the cost-effective go-to.
This 220-1201 practice question tests your understanding of internet connection types. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A client in a dense urban apartment building wants internet service but cannot install a satellite dish due to HOA rules. They have a phone line but no cable TV outlet. Which connection type is most practical and cost-effective?
Cable broadband
Why wrong: Cable requires a coaxial outlet, which the client lacks.
DSL
DSL works over existing phone lines and is commonly available in urban areas.
Satellite
Why wrong: Satellite is prohibited by HOA rules and may not be feasible in an apartment.
Fiber-optic
Why wrong: Fiber may not be available in all apartment buildings and is often more expensive.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
DSL
DSL uses existing phone lines and is widely available in urban areas, making it a practical choice. Cable requires a coaxial outlet, satellite is prohibited, and fiber may not be available in all apartment buildings. DSL offers a balance of availability and cost.
Key principle: OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
Cable broadband
Why it's wrong here
Cable requires a coaxial outlet, which the client lacks.
DSL
Why this is correct
DSL works over existing phone lines and is commonly available in urban areas.
Related concept
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
Satellite
Why it's wrong here
Satellite is prohibited by HOA rules and may not be feasible in an apartment.
Fiber-optic
Why it's wrong here
Fiber may not be available in all apartment buildings and is often more expensive.
Common exam traps
OSPF neighbour formation depends on matching areas, timers, network type, authentication and passive-interface behaviour. Do not choose an answer only because the devices can ping.
Detailed technical explanation
OSPF questions usually test the details that control adjacency and route selection. Read the neighbour state, area, router ID and interface configuration before deciding what is wrong.
Key takeaway
OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the 220-1201 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. OSPF neighbour adjacency depends on matching area, hello/dead timers, network type, and authentication — IP reachability alone is not enough. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 220-1201 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
Internet Connection Types — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Internet Connection Types — This question tests Internet Connection Types — OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters..
The correct answer is: DSL — DSL uses existing phone lines and is widely available in urban areas, making it a practical choice. Cable requires a coaxial outlet, satellite is prohibited, and fiber may not be available in all apartment buildings. DSL offers a balance of availability and cost.
Review OSPF neighbour requirements — matching area type, hello and dead timers, network type, stub flags, and authentication. Study show ip ospf neighbor states (INIT, 2-WAY, FULL). Then practise related 220-1201 OSPF questions on adjacency and route selection.
OSPF neighbours must agree on key parameters.
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Last reviewed: Jun 18, 2026
This 220-1201 practice question is part of Courseiva's free CompTIA certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the 220-1201 exam.
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