High-Speed Internet Options
In this burgeoning age of information with knowledge available at our fingertips, one thing is certain – whatever information we’re looking for, we want it FAST. In the not too distant past, that need for Internet speed was ably served by the 56K dial-up phone modem. But today, dial-up technology has become a plodding tortoise among the four high-speed hares of communication:
While consumers using dial-up modems are patiently waiting to log-on to the Internet (and tying up their phone lines in the process), those enjoying high-speed Internet access are already there – negotiating cyberspace, downloading information and communicating with the world hundreds of times faster… all without a busy signal. By picking up the pace, high- speed Internet technology has already had an enormous impact on society – from business and home networking to education and yes, even government.
Studies have shown, for instance, that most parents consider the Internet a vital resource for their children’s education, and that high-speed connectivity has made home study time much more productive. Educational web sites, on-line encyclopedias and dictionaries can all be accessed and downloaded many times faster than with dial-up technology. And while downloading audio and video is time-consuming and ineffective using a phone modem – requiring a process called buffering – a high-speed connection can stream both mediums effortlessly and through an almost unrecognizable buffering frame.
For the most part, all high-speed options available to the consumer provide the samebenefits:
- Always available access
- Fast Connections and Internet Surfing
- Net Access at any time
- Open Phone and Fax Lines- but there are differences worth noting.
DSL:
This technology uses your existing phone line to send and receive Internet data up to 123 times faster than dial-up modems. Unlike cable modems (discussed later) DSL uses a fixed connection which means bandwidth remains constant even if most of the neighborhood is accessing the Internet at the same time.
With DSL service, you can make and receive phone calls while on the Internet. Unlike dial- up modems, DSL offers direct access and provides the user with an “always-available” connection. You can also connect two or more computers to your DSL service through home networking equipment or a router, allowing the entire family to simultaneously share high-speed data and hardware (such as the printer) by setting up a LAN (Local Area Network).
Cable Modem:
Much like cable television, cable Internet is carried via the coaxial cable already installed in your home. Cable Internet is on 24/7 and data is transmitted fast – faster, even, than DSL due to the higher capacity of coaxial cable. The difference in speed, however, is usually negligible because bandwidth is shared with neighbors . In a nutshell, if all of your immediate neighbors decide to choose cable Internet access from the same provider, then be prepared to suffer the consequences of a significantly slower speed whenever they’re logged on. Unlike DSL, where you’re the lone occupant of your bandwidth in the local portion of the network, Cable Internet offers the opportunity for more guests to join the party on your shared line. As with DSL, two or more home computers can be connected to the cable modem by setting up an LAN.
Satellite:
This technology beams the Internet signal from a satellite in Earth’s orbit to a satellite dish mounted on your home. Like cable and DSL, the service is always on – always accessible. Unlike cable and DSL, there are no cable or phone lines to run through the house in order to receive the service.
Satellite Internet is a godsend to those without access to phone and cable service but it requires an unobstructed view to the south (where the satellite is located) and the signal can be affected by weather conditions such as rain and snow. Also, as with cable Internet, bandwidth is shared with other users and access speeds may slow during peak user periods.
Fixed Wireless:
While satellite Internet beams from space, the signal for fixed wireless is ground-based, transmitting from antennas mounted on tall buildings or on top of mountains – much like broadcast television. Like satellite Internet, a dish antenna is required in order to receive the signal and there must be a clear line-of-sight from the antenna to the disk. While obstructions such as foliage or other buildings can disrupt the signal, the transmission is unaffected by adverse weather conditions.
With higher speeds, or course, comes a higher price tag – satellite and fixed wireless typically being the costliest of the four options. Access is also an issue. Not every home can receive satellite or fixed wireless signals and not every neighborhood has access to DSL or cable Internet. But phone and cable companies are working hard to extend their networks and increase bandwidth, leaving little doubt that, in time, the public’s appetite for rapid cyberspace communication will be met and dial-up modems will go the way of the dial telephone.