Internet Access Options

December 10, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Internet Access Options

Even if you weren’t around to hear it, you know what a dial-up internet connection sounds like. Movies and commercials are rife with jokes about the antiquated internet access technology. Most people have switched to a more updated connection and left it at that. But with separate service and data plans for your cell phone, home computer and mobile devices it may be time to cut back on the expenses and go back to basics-or take out a third mortgage.

Dial-Up
This is the oldest and most widely used type of internet connection. It works by connecting a computer to an Internet service provider (ISP) using an analog modem and POTS (plain old telephone system). Even though cable and satellite internet have since expanded their coverage, dial-up still supports a large number of customers in remote regions. Dial-up service is inexpensive to set-up and maintain; and the existing POTS infrastructure is extensive, making internet access through dial-up widely available. However, the average speed is only 56 kbps. This makes dial-up too slow for certain activities such as online gaming and video streaming.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
DSL internet uses the same physical network as a dial-up connection but produces speed from 256 kb to 24 mb per second.

T1
T1 lines use existing POTS infrastructure as the framework for laying fiberoptic or copper cabling. This cable must be physically connected to a network router to create a connection making it an expensive service to obtain. However a t1 line may support data rates up to 1.544 megabits per second.

Cable
Cable connects consumers using a radio frequency signal similar to the over-the-air (radio-wave) method used in traditional television broadcasting. This signal is transmitted to the computer or web-enabled device physically, through fixed optical fibers or coaxial cables located on-site. Cable internet can be expensive as it requires the use of a transmitter near the subscriber; the subscriber essentially pays for the maintenance and upkeep of this tower.) Also this technology is not able to conquer the problem of “the last mile” providing access to individuals in remote locations.

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Understanding the Disadvantages of Satellite Internet

October 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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Satellite internet is a great option for those that are unable to get internet through other methods. Usually, these are people that live out in the country where internet providers are unable to go. However, before you decide to get satellite internet, it is important that you understand the disadvantages in advance to save yourself a lot of frustration later on.

Price: First, the price of satellite internet can be considerably more than what other internet providers offer. This is because you have to pay for special equipment to be installed. You are also paying for the actual internet service, which is a special convenience since no other internet provider is able to service you.

Time Delay: While satellite internet is much better than dial-up internet service, there is still a bit of a time delay with it. This is natural because of the distance the satellite waves have to travel in order to bring you the information you’re searching for. Generally, the delay is only a few seconds, which isn’t much at all. However, for those that enjoy playing online games, this can be huge. So, be sure you understand the time delay issue if you expect to play an internet game that requires high-speed internet service.

Interference: While any internet service can experience temporary interference, satellite internet is just a little more susceptible to it. This is because it’s a satellite and the satellite has to send waves of information thousands of miles to the satellite home base and back before the website is viewable on your computer screen. So, understand that when you are experiencing bad weather it is quite possible your internet service may be unavailable.

Fair Access Policy: Satellite internet service is subject to the Fair Access Policy, which means that you are limited to the amount of internet bandwidth you can use a day. This is set up to give each satellite internet user the same amount of time online. Therefore, the satellite company can restrict your internet usage. Just be sure you read and understand the Fair Access Policy before subscribing.

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Filed Under: Internet, Satellite, Wireless Technology Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

The Benefits of Wireless Internet

October 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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As of 2010, the world is a technological planet full of people that rely on the internet to connect with others all over the globe for both their personal and business needs. Not only does the internet help us perform basic functions and job tasks, but it now also helps us get from point A to point B with GPS, play online video games a host of other things as well. Thus, we need the internet to be fast. Wireless internet service does just that.

At first, dial-up internet service was great because it was the only thing we knew. However, times have changed, and thankfully, so has our internet services. We now have the option to get internet through satellite, DSL, cable and also through wireless internet too. Out of the previous four options, wireless internet has some great benefits that the others don’t offer.

Affordability: For the service you are getting, wireless internet is the best option to go with as it costs a lot less than satellite internet. When you compare it to DSL and cable, wireless internet connections have the ability to bring in more information at a faster speed. Usually with DSL, and sometimes even through cable internet providers, you have to pay more for faster broadband speeds.

Speed: Wireless internet service has the ability to provide users with extremely fast service. In fact, wireless internet can bring close to 2 megabytes of data within a second! This is a major deal for those that use the internet for business purposes such as video conferences. It’s also a much needed feature for online gamers as well.

Mobility: The most obvious benefit of wireless internet service is the fact that it allows you to move around and still access it. Some people don’t see the need to be mobile while online, but it is actually a really nice feature to have. It gives you the freedom to take your computer to any room in the house, or even out on the patio!

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Filed Under: Internet, Satellite, Wireless Technology Tagged With: , , , , , , ,

What Can and Can’t Satellite Do?

August 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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It is undeniable that Satellite internet is faster than dial-up in essentially every way. Satellite is also more accessible in remote locations, including in rural portions of the world that have no chance of DSL or Broadband deals, and even on RVs. However, it is also undeniable that not every internet based utility will work appropriately with Satellite. So, what does work on Satellite, and what doesn’t?

Things that Don’t Work

Satellite internet has a one word problem. “Latency.” Gamers are likely to know this term by the slang version, “lag.” This latency is the delay between the receiver requesting data and the satellite sending it down, across those twenty-three thousand miles between the two. The delay is really very minor, ranging from about 520 milliseconds to 840 milliseconds. In other words, it never even reaches a full second of delay. However, even this fraction of a second prevent certain activities.

Voice chatting and video chatting programs simply won’t work in this way, since the delay causes overlap issues that prevent the real time processing from functioning. Any real time program that requires real time internet access to function will be similarly hindered. Video games often fall into this category, especially if it is a multi player shooter, or any other game which requires real time response. Certain video games, such as MMORPGs, can be played with some effectiveness, although certain areas of the game will become either frustrating or impossible.

Things that Work

So, latency provides a major issue, but what happens outside the latency? Once the connection is established and the data is sent, the internet speed is comparable to broadband. This means that page load times will be low, but extended by the fraction of a second delay mentioned above, and that long downloads will be completed just as fast as they would be on broadband. Anything that doesn’t require a real time connection will function just fine, with that small delay being the only disadvantage of satellite when compared to broadband.

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Filed Under: Information Tech., Internet, Satellite, Wireless Technology Tagged With: , ,

Advantages and Disadvantages of Satellite Internet

June 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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People are becoming more and more aware of Satellite internet. There are many reasons for this. Large companies, such as Hughes Net, have launched aggressive advertising campaigns on the radio and television. Major satellite web providers have also been able to reduce their prices significantly while simultaneously increasing their speed. And many people no longer use programs like Ares Galaxy from open source provider Ares to share music files.  All of this has meant that satellite is more visible and more appealing. Still, satellite internet isn’t the best option for everyone. Here are the major advantages and disadvantages of satellite internet connection:

On the Plus Side

Satellite internet is fast, with download and upload speeds up to five times faster than dial-up, and only marginally slower than many standard DSL and Cable connections.

Unlike dial-up, satellite doesn’t disrupt your phone service or require an extra phone line. In addition, unlike some cable internet, satellite won’t cause any potential problems with your cable connection.

Satellite internet isn’t impacted by wiring problems, so it is often more reliable than other internet sources.

Satellite is available almost everywhere. Even recluses hiding in a cabin in the Wyoming wilderness will be able to get a solid satellite connection – something that is absolutely not possible to do with DSL or Cable.

On the Down Side

While the prices of Satellite internet are currently comparable to DSL and Cable internet, that still makes it more expensive than dial-up.

Satellite internet has higher setup fees than other forms of internet, since you need to purchase the appropriate hardware and have it installed by a certified technician.

There is a small amount of latency with the connection. Latency, the delay between taking an action and getting a result, will not be a problem for most. However, for people using the internet for gaming, voice chats, or video conferences, the latency will cause a very real disruption.

FAP, or the “fair access policy,” creates some limitations for heavy internet users. This policy, implemented by most satellite companies, makes sure that all users have equal access to the satellite’s data transmission power, and can create significant slow-down to especially large downloads.

Filed Under: Cell Phone, Internet, Satellite Tagged With: , ,

Options for Rural Net Connection

February 20, 2010 By Leave a Comment
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There are many reasons why rural areas are appealing. They have a certain solitude, a privacy, and a community feel that you often won’t find in big cities. Having a fast internet connection, however, is not one of the draws of rural life. But what if you’ve decided to live a little further from civilization and you don’t want to give up reliable internet? Here are a few solid options.

Dial-up. Yes, it’s true, dial-up is slower than almost any other option. However, dial-up is also faster than you may remember. In an attempt to stay alive while DSL and Cable are conquering the market, dial-up providers have made some upgrades. New hardware, as well as new technology known as “data compression,” allow for connections two to three times faster than they were before. Plus, their prices have dropped so much that they border on free. While it isn’t exactly “blazing fast,” dial-up is more likely to meet the needs of the casual user than ever.

Wireless. Even if you’re out of range of DSL connections, you may be able to take advantage of DSL connections of neighboring areas. There are wireless transmission towers that connect with DSL internet service, and is then beamed to your home through a short-range wireless satellite. While not the most reliable option, you retain a lot of the speed, and it costs about the same as DSL or Cable internet.

Satellite. Satellite internet connections are faster and more affordable than ever. With down and up speeds that slaughter dial-up, more intense internet users may find this option to be ideal. The prices on satellite connection have also lowered dramatically in recent years, dropping to about the cost of DSL connections. There are some latency issues here, and the equipment is costly, but its universal availability make it one of the best rural options.

Cellular. If you have cell phone service, you can also get internet connection. Many of the major cell phone companies, including Sprint, Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, have a mobile net option that, while somewhat slow, may meet your needs.

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