DSL - DSL or xDSL, is a family of technologies that provide digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. DSL originally stood for digital subscriber loop, although in recent years, many have adopted digital subscriber line as a more marketing-friendly term for the most popular version of consumer-ready DSL, ADSL.

Typically, the download speed of consumer DSL services ranges from 256 kilobits per second (kbit/s) to 24,000 kbit/s, depending on DSL technology, line conditions and service level implemented. Typically, upload speed is lower than download speed for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) and equal to download speed for Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL).

Dial Up - Dial-up access is a form of Internet access through which the client uses a modem connected to a computer and a telephone line to dial into an Internet service provider's (ISP) node to establish a modem-to-modem link, which is then routed to the Internet.

Cable Internet - A cable modem is a type of modem that provides access to a data signal sent over the cable television infrastructure. Cable modems are primarily used to deliver broadband Internet access, taking advantage of unused bandwidth on a cable television network. There were 22.5 million cable modem users in the United States during Q1 2005, up from 17.4 million in Q1 2004. They are also commonly found in Australia, Canada and Europe.

Under a stricter definition, a cable modem is not a modem but a network bridge. ISPs may sometimes sell or rent hardware combining a bridge with network hub or router hardware as a cable modem.

FIOS - FiOS is a fiber to the premises (FTTP) telecommunications service offered in the United States by Verizon. According to Verizon's Trademark (No. 3001081), "Fios" is an Irish word for "knowledge". In mailings to New Jersey customers, however, Verizon states that it stands for "fiber-optic service." Verizon has attracted consumer and media attention in the area of broadband Internet access as the first major U.S. carrier to offer such a service. Verizon has also launched a television service with its fiber optic lines and is expected to become a competitor to local cable television companies over the next 10 years. It will compete with current Triple Play offers, where the local cable company offers broadband Internet access, digital cable (see List of Verizon FiOS channels), and VoIP telephone service. FiOS started as a pilot program in Keller, Texas, but availability of the Internet service has expanded to many states (see Verizon FiOS Availability).

isp- An Internet service provider (abbr. ISP, also called Internet access provider or IAP) is a business or organization that provides to consumers access to the Internet and related services

Url - Strictly, the idea of a uniform syntax for global identifiers of network-retrievable documents was the core idea of the World Wide Web. In the early times, these identifiers were variously called "document names", "Web addresses" and "Uniform Resource Locators". These names were misleading, however, because not all identifiers were locators, and even for those that were, this was not their defining characteristic. Nevertheless, by the time the RFC 1630 formally defined the term "URI" as a generic term best suited to the concept, the term "URL" had gained widespread popularity, which has continued to this day.

Domain - A name that identifies a computer or computers on the internet. These names appear as a component of a Web site's URL, e.g. wikipedia.org. This type of domain name is also called a hostname

router - A router is a computer networking device that buffers and forwards data packets across an internetwork toward their destinations, through a process known as routing. Routing occurs at layer 3 (the Network layer e.g. IP) of the OSI seven-layer protocol stack.

So for example, a router at home connects the Internet Service Provider's (ISP) network (usually on an Internet address) together with the LAN in the home (typically using a range of private IP addresses, see network address translation) and a single broadcast domain. The switch connects devices together to form the LAN. Sometimes the switch and the router are combined together in one single package sold as a multiple port router.

In order to route packets, a router communicates with other routers using routing protocols and using this information creates and maintains a routing table. The routing table stores the best routes to certain network destinations, the "routing metrics" associated with those routes, and the path to the next hop router. See the routing article for a more detailed

web site - A website (alternatively, Web site) is a collection of Web pages, images, videos and other digital assets that is hosted on a Web server, usually accessible via the Internet or a LAN.

modem - A modem (from modulate and demodulate) is a device that modulates an analog carrier signal to encode digital information, and also demodulates such a carrier signal to decode the transmitted information. The goal is to produce a signal that can be transmitted easily and decoded to reproduce the original digital data. Modems can be used over any means of transmitting analog signals, from driven diodes to radio. Experiments have even been performed in the use of modems over the medium of two cans connected by a string.^{[citation needed]}

The most familiar example is a voiceband modem that turns the digital '1s and 0s' of a personal computer into sounds that can be transmitted over the telephone lines of Plain Old Telephone Systems (POTS), and once received on the other side, converts those sounds back into 1s and 0s. Modems are generally classified by the amount of data they can send in a given time, normally measured in bits per second, or "bps".

Faster modems are used by Internet users every day, notably cable modems and ADSL modems. In telecommunications, "radio modems" transmit repeating frames of data at very high data rates over microwave radio links. Some microwave modems transmit more than a hundred million bits per second. Optical modems transmit data over optical fibers. Most intercontinental data links now use optical modems transmitting over undersea optical fibers. Optical modems routinely have data rates in excess of a billion (1x10⁹) bits per second.

cable internet access - The term cable Internet access refers to the delivery of Internet service over this infrastructure. The proliferation of cable modems, along with DSL technology, has enabled broadband Internet access in many countries.

Bandwidth of business cable modem service typically range from 3 Megabits per second (Mbit/s) up to 30 Mbit/s or more. The upstream bandwidth on residential cable modem service usually ranges from 384 Kilobits per second (kbit/s) to 6 Mbit/s or more. There are few attempts to offer different service tiers beyond the traditional 'home' and 'business' designations.

There are two potential disadvantages to cable internet:

Like all residential broadband network technologies (e.g. DSL, FTTX, Satellite internet, WiMAX), a fixed amount of bandwidth is shared by a population of users (in the case of cable internet, users in a neighborhood share the available bandwidth provided by a single coaxial cable line). Therefore, connection speed can vary depending on how many people are using the service at the same time. This arrangement allows the network operator to take advantage of statistical multiplexing in order to provide an adequate level of service at an acceptable price. However, the operator has to monitor usage patterns, and scale the network appropriately, to ensure that customers receive adequate service even during peak usage times.
Many cable Internet providers are reluctant to offer cable modem access without tying it to a cable television subscription. They do this by charging higher rates, say $40/month for cable modem only access, than if one bundles it with a cable TV plan where it might be $30/month for cable modem service plus $20/month for cable TV service. This has ramifications similar to those of the lack of naked DSL. However, some cable internet access providers who resell access from cable companies, such as Earthlink, are generally not subject to these higher rates.

dsl modem - An ADSL transceiver, also known as a ADSL modem or DSL modem, is a device used to connect one or more computers to a phone line, in order to use an ADSL service. Some ADSL modems also manage the connection and sharing of the ADSL service with a group of machines, making an ADSL router or ADSL modem/router a more accurate name for the device. A DSL modem acts as the ADSL Terminal Unit or ATU-R, as the telephone companies call it.

cable modem - A cable modem is a type of modem that provides access to a data signal sent over the cable television infrastructure. Cable modems are primarily used to deliver broadband Internet access, taking advantage of unused bandwidth on a cable television network. There were 22.5 million cable modem users in the United States during Q1 2005, up from 17.4 million in Q1 2004. They are also commonly found in Australia, Canada and Europe.

Under a stricter definition, a cable modem is not a modem but a network bridge. ISPs may sometimes sell or rent hardware combining a bridge with network hub or router hardware as a cable modem.

A Quick Overview of Cable, DSL and Satellite Broadband Internet

Which High Speed Broadband Connection is Right for You?

Cable

Cable Internet access uses the same Cable TV wiring already found in many homes, although your cable company will typically come out to install the cable model and software. Cable download speeds are theoretically up to 2 times faster than DSL, but because access is shared with other users in your neighborhood the speed can fluctuate depending on who is on the network. Since it’s unlikely that everyone will be using the connection (that is, actually downloading information and not just reviewing Web pages) at the same time, each individual most of the time will not notice any degradation in service. Still, in more rural areas with fewer subscribers, you're bound to have faster download speeds than a subscriber in a metropolitan center.

Due to its speed and availability in most homes, Cable Internet is especially useful for people who enjoy playing online games, downloading music, sending instant messages, and surfing graphic-intensive web sites.

DSL

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) brings high-bandwidth to homes and small to medium sized businesses over the ordinary copper telephone lines presently installed behind your walls. DSL technology is available in various flavors, collectively referred to as xDSL. It allows voice, video and data to be transmitted at very fast speeds, 20 or more times faster than an ordinary 56K modem.

Your distance from a telephone company switching station will determine whether you can receive DSL (you typically have to be within 3 miles) and the speed of your connection. Depending on the flavor of DSL you have, DSL may require special jacks and connections or changes to the wiring inside your home but in the vast majority of cases you will be able to install DSL yourself.

DSL provides fast Internet access, high bandwidth and speed, reliability, "always on" service and increased security.

Bandwidth
The measure of information that can be transferred between computers or over networks in a given amount of time. The rates are expressed in kilobits per second.

Broadband
A general term used in reference to high-speed Internet services, including those provided through cable, DSL, and/or satellite.

Cable Modem
This piece of hardware allows digital cable signals to be used to connect computers to high-speed Internet services provided by cable companies. The modem is connected to the cable outlet and to the computer.

DSL
DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. It refers to one type of high-speed Internet access which uses existing phone lines to transfer data. The technology utilizes frequencies along the phone line that are not used with voice communication so that DSL users can access the Internet and talk via the telephone at the same time.

Encryption
The terms refers to a process of converting data into code that is unreadable so that it can not be viewed by unauthorized individuals. Encryption is a valuable tool because it allows individuals to send sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, over the network securely.

Ethernet
This term refers to the most common technology used to connect computers over a LAN (Local Area Network). Ethernet is popular because it can be used with almost any computer, because it can transfer around 10 million bits per second, and because its components are readily available.

Modem
The term is a shortened version of Modulator-Demodulator and refers to a device that is used to allow computers to communicate with one another over the phone line or through a cable network.

Network Interface Card
These cards are installed in computers to allow them to recognize and communicate with a network. The term is often shortened to just NIC.

PCI Plug-in Card
This term refers to the standardized slots on computers used for connecting high-speed peripherals, such as graphics cards, so that they are recognized by the system's motherboard. PCI stands for Peripheral Connect Interface.

PSTN
This acronym stands for Public Switched Telephone Network and refers to the traditional system of telephone lines that the majority of businesses and consumers currently use for voice communication.

Satellite Internet
High speed Internet service that is provided via satellite. A special modem is connected to the computer, and this modem is connected to a satellite dish. Data can be sent and received through through the satellite dish.

USB
This acronym stands for Universal Serial Bus and refers to a standardized port on computers that allows for the connection of peripheral devices, such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras. USB ports were designed to replace serial and parallel ports because they allow for faster communication and the connection of multiple devices. USB ports are sometimes referred to as plug-and-play interfaces.

Voice Over IP
Usually referred to as VoIP, this term refers to technology that allows for voice communication over a broadband connection. VoIP can be used instead of PSTN networks.

Wireless Network
This term refers to a connection between computers that is made through radio frequencies instead of through cables.

broadband internet access - Broadband Internet access, often shortened to "broadband Internet" or just "broadband", is a high data-transmission rate Internet connection. DSL and cable modem, both popular consumer broadband technologies, are typically capable of transmitting faster than a dial-up modem (56 kbit/s (kilobits per second)). Upload speed for a dial-up modem is even slower (31.2 kbit/s for V.90, 44 kbit/s for V.92).

Broadband Internet access became a rapidly developing market in many areas in the early 2000s; one study found that broadband Internet usage in the United States grew from 6% in June 2000 to over 30% in 2003. [1]

Modern consumer broadband implementations, up to 30 Mbit/s, are several hundred times faster than those available at the time the Internet first became popular (such as ISDN and 56 kbit/s) while costing less than ISDN and sometimes no more than 56 kbit/s, though performance and costs vary widely between countries.

"Broadband" in this context refers to the relatively high available bitrate, when compared to systems such as dial-up with lower bitrates (which could be referred to as narrowband).

Overview

Broadband is often called high-speed Internet, because it usually has a high rate of data transmission. In general, any connection to the customer of 256 kbit/s (0.250 Mbit/s) or more is considered broadband Internet. The International Telecommunication Union Standardization Sector (ITU-T) recommendation I.113 has defined broadband as a transmission capacity that is faster than primary rate ISDN, at 1.5 to 2 Mbit/s. The FCC definition of broadband is 200 kbit/s (0.2 Mbit/s) in one direction, and advanced broadband is at least 200 kbit/s in both directions. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has defined broadband as 256 kbit/s in at least one direction and this bit rate is the most common baseline that is marketed as "broadband" around the world. There is no specific bitrate defined by the industry, however, and "broadband" can mean lower-bitrate transmission methods. Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) use this to their advantage in marketing lower-bitrate connections as broadband.

In practice, the advertised bandwidth is not always reliably available to the customer; ISPs often allow a greater number of subscribers than their backbone connection can handle, under the assumption that most users will not be using their full connection capacity very frequently. This aggregation strategy works more often than not, so users can typically burst to their full bandwidth most of the time; however, peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing systems, often requiring extended durations of high bandwidth, stress these assumptions, and can cause major problems for ISPs who have excessively overbooked their capacity. For more on this topic, see traffic shaping. As takeup for these introductory products increases, telcos are starting to offer higher bit rate services. For existing connections, this most of the time simply involves reconfiguring the existing equipment at each end of the connection.

As the bandwidth delivered to end users increases, the market expects that video on demand services streamed over the Internet will become more popular, though at the present time such services generally require specialized networks. The data rates on most broadband services still do not suffice to provide good quality video, as MPEG-2 video requires about 6 Mbit/s for good results. Adequate video for some purposes becomes possible at lower data rates, with rates of 768 kbit/s and 384 kbit/s used for some video conferencing applications, and rates as low as 100 kbit/s used for videophones using H.264/MPEG-4 AVC. The MPEG-4 format delivers high-quality video at 2 Mbit/s, at the high end of cable modem and ADSL performance.

Increased bandwidth has already made an impact on newsgroups: postings to groups such as alt.binaries.* have grown from JPEG files to entire CD and DVD images. According to NTL, the level of traffic on their network increased from a daily inbound news feed of 150 gigabytes of data per day and 1 terabyte of data out each day in 2001 to 500 gigabytes of data inbound and over 4 terabytes out each day in 2002

Technology

The standard broadband technologies in most areas are DSL and cable modems. Newer technologies in use include VDSL and pushing optical fiber connections closer to the subscriber in both telephone and cable plants. Fiber-optic communication, while only recently being used in fiber to the premises and fiber to the curb schemes, has played a crucial role in enabling Broadband Internet access by making transmission of information over larger distances much more cost-effective than copper wire technology. In a few areas not served by cable or ADSL, community organizations have begun to install Wi-Fi networks, and in some cities and towns local governments are installing municipal Wi-Fi networks. As of 2006, high speed mobile Internet access has become available at the consumer level in some countries, using the HSDPA and EV-DO technologies. The newest technology being deployed for mobile and stationary broadband access is WiMAX

Glossary of Terms

Bandwidth – The measure of information that can be transferred between computers or over networks in a given amount of time. The rates are expressed in kilobits per second.

Broadband – A general term used in reference to high-speed Internet services, including those provided through cable, DSL, and/or satellite.

Cable Modem – This piece of hardware allows digital cable signals to be used to connect computers to high-speed Internet services provided by cable companies. The modem is connected to the cable outlet and to the computer.

DSL - DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. It refers to one type of high-speed Internet access which uses existing phone lines to transfer data. The technology utilizes frequencies along the phone line that are not used with voice communication so that DSL users can access the Internet and talk via the telephone at the same time.

Encryption – The terms refers to a process of converting data into code that is unreadable so that it can not be viewed by unauthorized individuals. Encryption is a valuable tool because it allows individuals to send sensitive information, such as credit card numbers, over the network securely.

Ethernet – This term refers to the most common technology used to connect computers over a LAN (Local Area Network). Ethernet is popular because it can be used with almost any computer, because it can transfer around 10 million bits per second, and because its components are readily available.

Modem – The term is a shortened version of Modulator-Demodulator and refers to a device that is used to allow computers to communicate with one another over the phone line or through a cable network.

Network Interface Card – These cards are installed in computers to allow them to recognize and communicate with a network. The term is often shortened to just NIC.

PCI Plug-in Card – This term refers to the standardized slots on computers used for connecting high-speed peripherals, such as graphics cards, so that they are recognized by the system's motherboard. PCI stands for Peripheral Connect Interface.

PSTN – This acronym stands for Public Switched Telephone Network and refers to the traditional system of telephone lines that the majority of businesses and consumers currently use for voice communication.

Satellite Internet – High speed Internet service that is provided via satellite. A special modem is connected to the computer, and this modem is connected to a satellite dish. Data can be sent and received through through the satellite dish.

USB – This acronym stands for Universal Serial Bus and refers to a standardized port on computers that allows for the connection of peripheral devices, such as printers, scanners, and digital cameras. USB ports were designed to replace serial and parallel ports because they allow for faster communication and the connection of multiple devices. USB ports are sometimes referred to as plug-and-play interfaces.

Voice Over IP - Usually referred to as VoIP, this term refers to technology that allows for voice communication over a broadband connection. VoIP can be used instead of PSTN networks.

Wireless Network – This term refers to a connection between computers that is made through radio frequencies instead of through cables.

Q: What is DSL?
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a new digital technology that brings high-bandwidth to homes and small to medium sized businesses (SMBs) over the ordinary copper telephone lines presently installed behind your walls. DSL technology is available in various flavors, collectively referred to as xDSL. It allows voice, video and data to be transmitted at very fast speeds, 20 or more times faster than an ordinary 56K modem and 10 times faster than ISDN.

Q: How is DSL different from analog transmission?
Analog transmission only uses a small portion of the available amount of information that can be transmitted over copper wires. As a result, the maximum amount of data that you can receive using an ordinary modem is only about 56 Kbps, a fraction of what is possible when using DSL.

DSL is a digital service. It brings voice, video and data on the same line digitally. DSL uses more bandwidth than analog to bring large amounts of information to your lines.

Q: How does DSL work?
DSL brings voice, video and data over the ordinary twisted pair copper wires currently installed at your business. It uses only one path for carrying voice, video and data. It uses a high bandwidth to increase capacity for transmissions.

Q: Does DSL work with my existing phone wires and equipment?
Yes, but it may require special jacks and connections, or changes to your inside wiring. Your service provider may need to install new wire depending on the type of DSL flavor you choose for your business. A splitter is usually required, depending on the flavor of DSL you want, or the type of DSL available in your area. G-Lite DSL does not require a splitter.

A DSL modem and an Ethernet card are also required for installation. Your service provider usually installs these components. However, you may be able to install these components yourself. Check with your service provider.

Q: Can I install DSL?
There are many flavors of DSL available for your business. The flavor you select will depend upon your business needs. Installation requirements will vary according to the flavor you choose for your business. For some DSL flavors, you may be able to do the actual installation yourself. Check with your service provider.

Q: Will I experience noise and interference on the phone lines?
No. The digital quality ensures that your transmissions arrive crystal clear, free of the "noise" associated with phone lines. Both noise and interference are minimized with this new digital technology.

Q: What are the most popular and widely deployed flavors of DSL?
The most popular and widely deployed flavors of DSL include the following:

ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line): A version of DSL that delivers up to 8 Mbps downstream (i.e., downloading) and 640 Kbps upstream (i.e., uploading). It is used mostly for downstreaming where files can be downloaded very quickly from Internet server to client.
SDSL (Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line): A version of DSL used to transmit voice and data in both directions simultaneously.
DSL-Lite (also called G-Lite): A version of ADSL that delivers up to 1.5 Mbps downstream and 384 Kbps upstream.

Q: What is Asymmetric DSL (ADSL)?
Asymmetric DSL has a downstream speed greater than an upstream speed. This type of transmission model reflects the Internet client/server model. Downstreaming is a flow of data from the Internet server to a client, and upstreaming is a flow of data from your business premises to the Internet.

Q: What is Symmetric DSL (SDSL)?
Symmetric DSL provides a transmission flow in which both downstream and upstream directions have the same speed.

Q: What is DSL-Lite (also called G-Lite)?
G-Lite is a version of ADSL that does not require a splitter. Its downstream speed is somewhat lower than ADSL.

Q: Do I need to dial-up when using DSL?
No. DSL does not require a dial-up. DSL is an "always on" digital service. To connect, you never have to dial-up. Once your business has installed DSL, your service is "always on" and you're always connected.

Q: What are some of the uses of DSL?
DSL is used for carrying voice, data and video at fast rates. Users can download and upload large files quickly. It is also used for fast Internet access, interactive multimedia, on-line banking, shopping and stock trading, videoconferencing, and remote office or remote LAN to LAN applications.

Q: Can I talk on the phone and use another device, such as PC or fax, at the same time?
Yes. You can use two devices at the same time. This service enables you to accomplish many things simultaneously. If you currently juggle fax and voice, or fax and data communications, on a single line, or use the Internet often for business, you're a candidate for DSL.

Q: What are some features of DSL?
Fast Internet access, high bandwidth and speed, reliability, "always on" service and increased security make it highly desirable for many SMBs.

Q: What are some of the benefits of using DSL?
DSL is a cost effective solution for many small to medium sized businesses and has many benefits including the following:

It has a variety of flavors. You can select the DSL flavor that is best for your business.
You can use the Internet and voice/fax devices over a single telephone line.
Your Internet access is uninterrupted and "always on".
Web pages seem to pop up almost immediately. Files download very quickly.
Data security exceeds cable.
You can use it for a wide range of data services, including remote LAN access and LAN to LAN connectivity.

Q: How much does DSL cost?
DSL is a very affordable and cost-effective service based upon a flat rate. Prices vary depending upon the flavor you choose. Since cost is not based upon usage, you can use this service any time for as long as you want without incurring any usage charges. It is easily and inexpensively installed.

When selecting DSL, you should determine which flavor of DSL is best for your business. This decision will affect the price of the DSL installation and service. ADSL and G-Lite DSL are very affordable. For those businesses that need the high-end flavors of DSL with very large bandwidth and ultra fast speeds, techniques are currently being developed that will lower costs.

Q: What if I want to know more?
Just e-mail us at info@buytelco.com or call us at (866) 773-3316. We'll be happy to answer any questions you have about this revolutionary new way to communicate with your customers!

DSL Facts

DSL is affected by distance. The greater the distance between your installation and the telephone company's Central Office (CO), the lower your speeds will be. In other words, if your home or small business is close enough to the telephone company's central office that offers DSL service, you can receive downstream data rates at up to 1.5 Mbps. That means you can download files very fast, much faster than you probably are now achieving with an ordinary 56K modem. Picture it as a continuous, uninterrupted transmission of motion video, audio, voice, and even multimedia 3-D effects. If you want to upload, your speed will be a little less (speeds can range from 640Kbps to 1Mbps), but still will be remarkably faster than when using a 56K modem.

A DSL line carries both data and voice signals on the same line. And the data part of the line is always connected. So, you can speak on the phone and use the Internet at the same time. Sometimes, a splitter is required.

It's predicted that DSL will replace Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) in many areas in the near future. It will also replace or be a better option than the cable modem currently available for bringing multimedia and 3-D effects to homes and small businesses.

How Does DSL Work?

Traditional phone service, sometimes referred to as "Plain Old Telephone Service" (POTS), connects your home or small business to a telephone company office via copper wires. These wires are wound around each other in "twisted pairs". This enables you to exchange voice information with other phone users. The type of signal used for this kind of transmission is called analog. An input device, such as a phone set, takes an acoustic signal and converts it into an electrical equivalent in terms of volume and pitch. Since the telephone company's signalling is already set up for this analog wave transmission, it's easier to use that as the way to get information back and forth between your telephone and the telephone company. This is the reason why your computer must have a modem! The modem receives and translates the analog signal, and then converts the analog values into digital information.

Analog transmission only uses a small portion of the available amount of information that could be transmitted over copper wires. As a result, the maximum amount of data that you can receive using ordinary modems is only about 56 Kbps, a fraction of what is possible when using DSL. The ability of your computer to receive information is held back by the fact that the telephone company filters information that arrives as digital data, puts it into analog form for your telephone line, and requires your modem to change it back into digital. The result is slow downstreaming.

So, you see, modern science came up with a technological solution to all this - DSL! DSL is a technology that assumes that digital data does not have to be changed into analog form and back. Digital data is transmitted to your computer directly as digital data. This allows the phone company to use a much wider bandwidth for transmitting it to you. The signal can be separated so that some of the bandwidth is used to transmit an analog signal; The result? You can talk on the phone and use the Internet on the same line, and do both things at the same time!

What's a Splitter? And Will I Need One?
A splitter is a frequency filter that separates the high frequencies used for sending data upstream and receiving downstream data from the low frequency range used for voice. These high and low frequencies are transmitted at the same time. Most DSL technologies now require that a splitter be installed at a home or business. So, generally the phone company has to make a visit to install it. And, of course, you've gotta be home for the installation! It is, of course, worth the inconvenience and the small additional expense. However, with DSL Lite now currently on the market, it is now possible to manage the splitting remotely from the telephone company's central office. This is known as "splitterless" DSL, "DSL Lite," G.Lite, or Universal ADSL, and has recently been made a standard. G Lite eliminates the POTS splittter, but still does require the installation of a small filter device next to every POTS device (telephone, fax, or modem) sharing the G. Lite line.

What Is Cable Internet?

Cable Internet is one method of experiencing a broadband connection. Broadband Internet allows you to have an always-on connection that delivers considerably faster speeds than dial-up without interfering with your ability to make and receive telephone calls.

Many users prefer Cable Internet over other broadband options, such as DSL, because it utilizes the same fiber optic wiring already used to provide cable television in their homes. This typically makes installation faster. It also means that broadband users are working with their local cable provider, a company which they already trust.

While most Cable Internet service provides upload speeds of up to 256 Kbps, its download speeds can be as fast as 1 Mbps. Because of this speed, Cable Internet is especially useful for people who enjoy playing online games, downloading music, sending instant messages, and surfing graphic-intensive web sites.

How Cable Internet Works

Cable Internet works similar to cable television. Cable providers use an infrastructure of fiber optic wires to transmit television broadcasts. These same lines are used to connect you to the Internet. This is possible because each wire actually consists of multiple channels. Most of these channels are used for television transmission, but some are reserved for data transfer. Those channels are used for accessing the Internet and separate ones are used for uploading and downloading. Your speed, in part, depends upon the number of channels made available for users.

The transmissions travel to your cable provider's regional data center. This center acts as the main hub for all of the television and data transmissions for your area. From here, the transmissions are sent out along the fiber optic lines to your Local Node Box. This box collects transmissions for all of the households in your neighborhood; one neighborhood consists of between 1,000 and 1,500 households. From the node, the transmissions are sent into the individual homes.

Because you only have one wire bringing cable into your home, it will need to be split so that one part can connect to your cable television receiver while the other hooks into your cable modem. You will also need an Ethernet card if your computer does not already have one. Most providers will supply and install both your Ethernet card and your cable modem if necessary.

When your cable modem receives the Internet transmission, it translates it into Ethernet data which is then converted by the Ethernet card into information your computer can understand. The process is reversed when you send data from your computer to the Internet.

The Facts About Cable Internet

Deciding on Cable Internet for your broadband needs requires that you know the facts beforehand. Otherwise, you may realize too late that a different alternative would have been more appropriate. Below are five of these important facts:

Cable Internet is faster than dial-up. With upload speeds between 64 Kbps and 256 Kbps and download rates ranging from 128 Kbps to 1 Mbps, Cable Internet will help you increase your enjoyment of online activities, such as gaming, downloading music, and chatting.
Cable Internet provides an always-on connection. This means that as long as your computer is turned on you are connected to the Internet. The obvious advantages of this is that you don't have to worry about getting disconnected because of inactivity, busy servers, or incoming telephone calls. It also means that you don't have to wait while your modem attempts to connect. However, an always-on connection can also make your computer vulnerable to hackers and viruses. You can protect your system, however, by using a firewall and reliable antivirus software.
Cable Internet does cost more than dial-up. In most cases, the cost difference is between $5 to $20 more per month. However, many dial-up users have a second phone line which becomes an unnecessary expense with Cable Internet and which could easily make up the difference in cost. Plus, many cable television subscribers receive discounts on their Cable Internet service just for using both. In the end, most Cable Internet users are simply willing to pay extra for the increased speed, convenience, and reliability.
Cable Internet is not available everywhere. Because offering Internet services requires local providers to update their infrastructure, many have not made the switch. If you live in a larger city, however, chances are Cable Internet is already available. Also, most providers who now offer digital cable television already or will soon be offering Cable Internet.
Cable Internet does require extra equipment. In order to receive high speed Internet access with this broadband method, you will need a cable modem and an Ethernet card. Some computers come equipped with one or both of these pieces of these items. If yours does not, you can purchase them from most electronics stores. Generally, most Cable Internet providers can also supply you with this equipment, so check with them before making these purchases.

Cable Internet FAQs

Chances are you still have some unanswered questions about Cable Internet. Below you will find some of the most common questions as well as their answers.

Why is Cable Internet better than dial-up?
Cable Internet is superior to dial-up for a number of reasons. The main one being the increased speed. For example, downloading a music file with a dial-up connection may take you twenty minutes or more but with a Cable Internet connection it will be finished in about two. Many people also prefer Cable Internet because it allows them to go online without having to wait for their computer to connect or worrying about being disconnected. Another benefit is that Cable Internet does not tie up your phone lines. Overall, Cable Internet provides a more reliable connection for people who enjoy checking their email, playing online games, listening to MP3s, and more.

What do I need for Cable Internet?
Before you can get Cable Internet, you must first make sure that it is available in your area. If it is, you will need a cable modem and an Ethernet card. Some computers come equipped with one or both of these already, but in most cases you will need to purchase them from your local electronics store. Your Cable Internet provider may supply you with the Ethernet card and may even lease or sell you a cable modem.

Can I share my Cable Internet connection?
Yes. You can use a router to share your Cable Internet connection between multiple computers in your home. For more information, view "Networking a Cable Connection" above.

Will I be able to download music faster with Cable Internet?
Yes. All of your Internet downloading will be completed faster if you are using Cable Internet. In most cases, you will be able to download an entire song in only a couple of minutes instead of in a half an hour. Cable Internet connections also make it easier and more enjoyable to listen to Internet radio and to enjoy other streaming media.

Will Cable Internet improve the performance of my online games?
Yes because Cable Internet connections have much lower ping rates than to dial-up connections. Your computer's ping rate is how long it takes for your system to send and receive information to and from the game's server. The higher your ping rate, the longer it takes for the information to get where it is going and that results in slowdowns and lag times which can be detrimental to your overall performance. With a faster Internet connection and, therefore, a lower ping rate, you will not experience these problems.

Will Cable Internet speed be the same as you claim?
Probably. Cable Internet speeds do vary depending on the number of users in your neighborhood and their activity. Generally, however, your actual speed should be very close to those we've stated. Your local cable company will also be able to give you a better approximation of Cable Internet speeds in your area.

Is Cable Internet safe?
Yes, but you will also need to take some security precautions. Because your Internet connection will always be on, your computer will be vulnerable to outside and often un-wanted traffic any time it is turned on. While most of this traffic may be harmless, it can sometimes lead to your system being hacked or attacked by viruses. You can protect yourself, however, by installing a firewall on your computer (or on your router if you're networking your connection) and by using reliable anti-virus software.

Is Cable Internet available in my area?
Possibly. If you live in a major metropolitan area, chances are good that you already have one or even two Cable Internet providers available. If, on the other hand, you are in a more rural area with limited access to cable television, you should probably look for an alternative broadband method. Generally, if your local cable provider has upgraded the infrastructure in order to offer digital cable, you can be confident that they also offer Cable Internet or will be in the near future.

How much does Cable Internet cost?
The costs vary. Cable Internet does cost more than dial-up, but if you figure in the extra costs of additional phone lines and the benefit of being able to use one connection for multiple computers then it truly becomes a cost-effective option. In many cases, cable television subscribers even receive a discount on their Cable Internet service which could save you even more money.