Connecting to the Internet
Types of Internet service
The type of Internet service you choose will largely depend on which Internet service
providers (ISPs) serve your area, along with the types of service they offer. Here are some
common types of Internet service.
• Dial-up:
Dialup internet service is a service that allows connectivity to the internet through a
standard telephone line.
By connecting the telephone line to the modem in your computer and inserting the other
end into the phone jack, and configuring the computer to dial a specific number
provided by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) you are able to access the internet on
your computer.
In order to get a dial-up internet service a person must definitely have a computer and
even more important a modem.
There are different types of modems, and most of them are inexpensive to purchase. A
telephone line is linked to the modem.
The modem whether external or internal is controlled by software on the computer.
With Microsoft Windows operating system that software is the Network Connection
utility which allows you to connect to the internet.
Once you have found an internet service provider and joined you must choose a
password and username.
If you are looking for an inexpensive internet service dial-up is the way to go.
Not only is it the cheapest but also the slowest type of access you can get.
Since the bandwidth is limited, it will take some time for the modem to send and receive
information.
It will be slow loading web pages, listening to music, and watching videos online.
With dial-up internet, you cannot use the phone and search the web at the same time.
How come? Remember while one end of the telephone is linked to the modem the other
end is in the phone outlet.
DSL:
DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line, and it’s one of the many technologies used to
bring an Internet connection and information into homes and businesses.
What makes DSL unique is that it uses existing telephone lines/connections, with
special adaptations. DSL started to become popular in the 1980s and 1990s.
In the early days of the “World Wide Web” (we’re talking 1990s, not 1890s), your
telephone company provided what was called “dial-up” service, which was slow and
tied up your telephone line.
In response to the fast-growing demand for Internet access—and faster, better
connections—DSL was developed
DSL brings a connection into your home through telephone lines and allows the
household to use the Internet and make telephone calls at the same time.
It works because the DSL system separates the telephone signals into three bands of
frequencies. The lowest band allows for telephone calls, while the other two bands take
care of uploading and downloading online activity.
Cable companies provide a cable modem for their Internet customers. DSL companies
provide a similar piece of hardware called a DSL transceiver.
Advantages
In most scenarios, you’d likely want DSL only if your other alternative were old-fashioned,
low-cost dial-up service, which surprisingly is still available in many areas. Compared to dial-
up, DSL offers you advantages:
1. You’re able to use the Internet and make phone calls simultaneously.
2. It’s faster than dial-up.
3. You have a choice of price plans, based on the speed you want or are willing to get.
Disadvantages:
1. Sending data won’t work as well or as fast as receiving data.
2. The further you are from the telephone company’s central location, the slower your
service might be (we’re not talking hundreds of miles either—more like just under four
miles).
3. Sorry. You just might be too far away to even be offered DSL.
• Cable: Cable service connects to the Internet via cable TV, although you do not
necessarily need to have cable TV in order to get it. It uses a broadband connection
and can be faster than both dial-up and DSL service; however, it is only available
where cable TV is available.
• Satellite: A satellite connection uses broadband but does not require cable or
phone lines; it connects to the Internet through satellites orbiting the Earth. As a
result, it can be used almost anywhere in the world, but the connection may be
affected by weather patterns. Satellite connections are also usually slower than
DSL or cable.
• 3G and 4G: 3G and 4G service is most commonly used with mobile phones, and
it connects wirelessly through your ISP's network. However, these types of
connections aren't always as fast as DSL or cable. They will also limit the amount
of data you can use each month, which isn't the case with most broadband plans.
Choosing an Internet service provider
Now that you know about the different types of Internet service, you can do some
research to find out what ISPs are available in your area. If you're having trouble getting started,
we recommend talking to friends, family members, and neighbours about the ISPs they use.
This will usually give you a good idea of the types of Internet service available in your area.
Most ISPs offer several tiers of service with different Internet speeds, usually measured
in Mbps (short for megabits per second). If you mainly want to use the Internet
for email and social networking, a slower connection (around 2 to 5 Mbps) might be all you
need. However, if you want to download music or stream videos, you'll want a faster
connection (at least 5 Mbps or higher).
You'll also want to consider the cost of the service, including installation charges and monthly
fees. Generally speaking, the faster the connection, the more expensive it will be per month.
Although dial-up has traditionally been the least expensive option, many ISPs have raised dial-
up prices to be the same as broadband. This is intended to encourage people to switch to
broadband. We do not recommend dial-up Internet unless it's your only option.