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Choosing the correct option for connecting your
computer to the Internet can be complicated and confusing,
especially with everyone crying for more "bandwidth". Here
is a quick tutorial on the most common products, services,
terminology and features that you will encounter.
56Kbps Analog Modem
This is the basic modem and is now only installed by customer
request in new PCs. Information
travels over standard telephone lines at 56Kbps, and allows
you to send and receive text, light graphics and light audio.
Video applications over a 56Kbps connection are painfully
slow. These connections are phased out as most clients
use a cable modem, DSL line, or higher now.
Integrated Services Digital
Network (ISDN)
The speed for ISDN is on average 128Kbps and requires a piece
of hardware called a router. ISDN is great for text, graphics,
audio and video, but will bog down if more than five users
are sending and receiving big files at the same time. Some
phone companies and some ISP's offer ISDN services, but once again
are being phased out due to cheaper, more cost efficient means of
internet connectivity.
Digital Subscriber Line
(DSL)
DSL is less expensive and faster than ISDN but has some unique
characteristics. For example, you can receive data faster
than you can send it. If you are downloading from the Internet,
your transmission speed may be upwards of 3 Mbps. However
if you are sending a file or email, your transmission speed
will be 1Mbps or less. DSL is a compression technique that
allows for this digital pipeline to run off of standard analog
phone lines. DSL is available through regional phone companies
but only in select areas across the United States. most areas
of Collier and Lee Counties have DSL available at this time.
Cable Modems
These modems use the same cable as the one which is attached
to your television set. This is especially attractive for
home users who are looking for additional speed. The service
is inexpensive, averaging around $40-$50 per month, and transmits
data at 5-6Mbps for downloading and up to 1 Mbps for uploading. Like DSL, cable modems
are great for all types of data transmission. Cable TV providers
are the only source for cable modems but not all cable TV
providers offer the service. At this writing, most if not all
cable providers in the lee and collier county area provide cable
modem at this time.
T1 & T3 Lines
A T1 line is a very fast, reliable and expensive fiber optic
telecommunication line. T1's are used for regular phone services,
data and video transmission. T1 delivers at 1.5Mbps speed
and costs around $1000 per month on average. The initial set
up of the hardware and software is more complex. On-going
support for configuration issues is frequently required. A
business can also get a "fractional" T1 that can be one-half
(512Kbps) or one-quarter (256Kbps) speed. Fractional T1 lines
are also less expensive than full T1's. Regional phone companies,
national ISP's and long distance carriers offer this service.
T3 lines and satellite connections are also
options but not as common in our market…yet. When faced with
selecting an Internet connection, be sure to ask about all
of the options available in your area. Don't assume that they
are all available. Choose a product and service that will
give you the greatest speed at a price you can live with.
Above all, remember to be flexible. Everyday the "pipes" become
faster, cheaper and more readily available, but don't forget
- what you choose today probably won't be fast enough tomorrow!
Wireless Broadband
Broadband wireless has become more popular in the last few years.
this type of connection is mainly used in conjunction with VPN's to
remain connected to an employees office network. Speeds can range
from dial up to entry level DSL but not all regions of the country
have towers equipped with wireless broadband capability.
Carol Conway is the President of CRS Technology. She may be contacted
at Carol@crsonline.net.
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