Friday, June 27, 2008

Get More Productive Online With Broadband Internet

By Ray Lam

Broadband Internet access has redefined the boundaries of web networking. The time required to access the Internet, as well as to download information of different frequencies from the web, has been dramatically reduced. Web information is conveniently and easily accessible without being affected by long distances. Broadband Internet access is especially suitable for those who require instant and prolonged or constant (24/7) access to the Internet. Although it is a little more expensive then the traditional narrow-band Internet connection or dial-up network, the benefits fully compensate for the little price difference. A broadband connection ensures that the functioning of the cable and television line is not affected during connection, and vice-versa.

There are different types of broadband Internet access. The most efficient and reliable way it is accessed by home customers is through a cable broadband connection. This runs on an existing cable or coaxial connection. Another convenient way to access this technology is a DSL connection that uses an existing telephone line. Both these technologies are widely used by urbanites already having a telephone or cable connection.

The broadband Internet connection operates by using several different technologies or media. A traditional dial-up connection uses a telephone line and a modem. The information is converted into analog form, leading to less connectivity and speed. The telephone line cannot be used for normal phone calls when Internet is in use. A broadband Internet connection also uses an existing telephone line for a DSL connection. The information is transmitted using the digital broadband technology; hence, speed and connectivity is higher. The other types include cable broadband connections using existing cable lines, T1 and T3 satellite and wi-fi (wireless fidelity) connections. In case of cable or DSL connection, TV or telephone functioning remains unaffected.

Many of the current broadband internet problems have been addressed by the advent of satellite broadband Internet connections using land stations to receive land station transmissions. Wi-fi, or wireless broadband connection, is a revolutionary technology that promises to remove the restraints of distance, time and location. It allows one to access the net even in mid-air. Technology and special programs have made broadband Internet access viable for senior citizens or people with special needs (deaf or blind).

Practically, the advertised bandwidth is not always readily available to the customer; ISPs generally allow a greater number of subscribers than the backbone connection can handle, under the assumption that most users will not be using their full connection capacity very frequently. This aggregation strategy works in a way making the users typically burst to the full bandwidth most of the time. As there is an increase in the bandwidth delivered to end users, the market expects that the video on demand services streamed over the Internet will become more popular, though at the present time such services generally require specialized networks.

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