High Speed Internet Options

For today’s consumer, there are five primary options for high speed internet services: cable, DSL, mobile, satellite, and wireless. There are pros and cons to each option, as always, and each should be researched before the consumer makes a decision and signs a contract.

Cable Internet

One of the most common high speed internet options is broadband cable access. Cable high speed internet connections – often referred to as cable internet – use existing cable television infrastructure to transmit information from the user’s computer to the internet and from the internet to the user’s computer. Utilizing already-installed cables, broadband cable internet access requires a cable internet service provider (ISP) and a cable modem installed in the residence. Because most homes and apartments are now wired for cable television, cable internet is a popular high speed internet option.

DSL Internet

DSL – Digital Subscriber Line, that is – utilizes the telephone network infrastructure to provide high speed internet access to consumers. The DSL system can use phone lines simultaneously as they are being used to carry conversations, by dividing the connection into high frequency – used for data, video, etc. – and low frequencies – used for voice. There are two common types of DSL available to the consumer: ADSL, which stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines and has faster download than upload speeds, and SDSL, which is the Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line and uploads and downloads data at the same rate in each direction. For the consumer, they will need to purchase or lease a DSL modem and possibly a DSL jack.

Mobile Internet

Mobile high speed internet is a fast growing segment of broadband internet services. With the growing popularity and availability of personal data assistants (PDAs) and smart phones, there is increasing demand for mobile internet providers, most frequently satellite or wireless ISPs. The consumer needs to have an internet-enabled device and a wireless Ethernet card or connection.

Satellite Internet

Satellite-based high speed internet connections are another popular option, especially for rural consumers who have limited or no access to other broadband programs. For satellite internet connections, consumers need to purchase or lease and install a small satellite receiving / transmitting dish, coaxial cable, and a satellite modem. The satellite dish will need to be aligned with the IPS’s satellite, a process usually performed by a trained technician. One downside to high speed satellite internet connections is that they are negatively affected by high levels of moisture in the air, including rain and snow.

Wireless Internet

Like mobile high speed internet connections, broadband wireless connections are increasingly in demand by the consumer. Wireless internet connections are a means of browsing and communicating with the internet via radio waves, through the use of a wireless router – which transforms the data from radio waves to a digital signal and vice versa, creating a local area network (LAN) that broadcasts the connection within a limited area. There are two types of wireless networks: private LANs, which require a password and public LANs – also called hot spots – which are accessible without a password and are available to anyone with a wireless card and internet-enabled device. One downside to public wireless internet access is that data can be compromised and personal information can be stolen or hijacked.