Internet speed and connections

Let's start with the most popular method of connecting to the Internet: Analog Modems. The word Modem itself is a combination of two words, modulate and demodulate. A modem is, basically, a device that takes a digital signal and converts or modulates it into an analog signal that another modem can later convert back, or demodulate into digital form again. Analog connections suffer from busy signals, dropped connections and the need to dial up each time, but they are the cheapest type of Internet connection available. The main factor affecting a modem's speed and dependability is the electro-magnetic interference (also called 'static'), caused by various sources of electro-magnetic waves intercepting the phone-lines used to transmit the signal from and to a modem. These waves could be radio waves or a burst in the sun's activity, but they cause electrical current fluctuation thus forcing the electronics to slow down ('fall back') to lower connection speeds.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) operates over conventional phone lines but achieves higher data rates using different electronics and coding schemes.

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is one of the iterations of DSL technology, and is an asymmetric technology. That is, the data download and upload speeds are not the equal. With ADSL, for example, a customer may have only 128Kbps of bandwidth for sending data, but may be able to receive data at speeds of 8Mbps. An ASDL is not a dial-up connection and is more expensive, but, it is also a dedicated connection, available for business and is always on.

SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is another derivative of DSL and provides the same fast download and upload of data.

RADSL (Rate adaptive ADSL) is under development and is supposed to carry data at different rates for different prices.

HDSL (High bit-rate DSL) allows a very high speed connection over the basic copper line instead of the fiber line.

IDSL (ISDN DSL) provides ISDN-like speed over copper line, is moderately fast and moderately expensive, and allows business or home users far away from faster lines to benefit from the DSL links.

Some cable TV companies provide Internet access over the TV cable with the help of Cable modems. This is a relatively inexpensive (now) and fast (with speeds of up to 10 Mbps) option which has become the preferred way for home Internet users to get online. Today, most cable companies charge about US$40 for a cable modem and service. Unfortunately, cable connection is not available everywhere.

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: Let's start with the most popular method of connecting to the Internet: Analog Modems. The word Modem itself is a combination of two words, modulate and demodulate. A modem is, basically, a device that takes a digital signal and converts or modulates it into an analog signal that another modem can later convert back, or demodulate into digital form again. Analog connections suffer from busy signals, dropped connections and the need to dial up each time, but they are the cheapest type of Internet connection available. The main factor affecting a modem's speed and dependability is the electro-magnetic interference (also called 'static'), caused by various sources of electro-magnetic waves intercepting the phone-lines used to transmit the signal from and to a modem. These waves could be radio waves or a burst in the sun's activity, but they cause electrical current fluctuation thus forcing the electronics to slow down ('fall back') to lower connection speeds. : DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) operates over conventional phone lines but achieves higher data rates using different electronics and coding schemes. : ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is one of the iterations of DSL technology, and is an asymmetric technology. That is, the data download and upload speeds are not the equal. With ADSL, for example, a customer may have only 128Kbps of bandwidth for sending data, but may be able to receive data at speeds of 8Mbps. An ASDL is not a dial-up connection and is more expensive, but, it is also a dedicated connection, available for business and is always on. : SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line) is another derivative of DSL and provides the same fast download and upload of data. : RADSL (Rate adaptive ADSL) is under development and is supposed to carry data at different rates for different prices. : HDSL (High bit-rate DSL) allows a very high speed connection over the basic copper line instead of the fiber line. : IDSL (ISDN DSL) provides ISDN-like speed over copper line, is moderately fast and moderately expensive, and allows business or home users far away from faster lines to benefit from the DSL links. : Some cable TV companies provide Internet access over the TV cable with the help of Cable modems. This is a relatively inexpensive (now) and fast (with speeds of up to 10 Mbps) option which has become the preferred way for home Internet users to get online. Today, most cable companies charge about US$40 for a cable modem and service. Unfortunately, cable connection is not available everywhere.

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