Have you been considering broadband Internet access? If so, you are not alone, as it is quickly becoming the standard Internet service in homes across the country. Broadband Internet access refers to high-speed Internet access, which the FCC defines as transmitting data at speeds over 200 kilobits per second.

How Broadband is Different from Dial-Up

Traditional Internet is called dial-up, because it works through dialing the phone line to access the Internet. Broadband Internet access provides a higher speed of transmitting the data to the user. The line carrying the data can therefore carry more information to the user than dial-up.

To date, broadband Internet access is the highest quality of Internet services, and that is important with all that people are trying to do at present with their Internet connections. Things like streaming video, VoIP, games, and other interactive features are simply more possible when using a broadband connection.

Another benefit of broadband Internet over dial up is that broadband is always connected. You do not have to use your phone line to use broadband, as you do with dial-up. So, when you turn on your computer, your Internet is connected immediately! You get your content much faster with broadband Internet access as your web pages and downloads will come up a lot faster with broadband Internet access.

Types of Broadband Connections

The first type of broadband Internet access is a digital subscriber line, commonly known as DSL. DSL is transmitted through a wire line over a telephone line. Whether you are able to receive DSL or not, will depend on where you are located.

The second type of broadband is cable modem service. Cable modems provide Internet access through the coaxial cable that delivers your TV service. Using cable modem service does not interfere with watching your cable television. They come over the same line, but use different methods of transmission.

A relatively new technology for providing broadband Internet access is fiber optic technology. This is considered the fastest form of Internet access as data is transported through light sent through glass fiber cables.

Wireless broadband connections are becoming popular in homes across the country. Wireless uses a radio link between the customers computer and the service provider. The ranges are getting longer and longer, making wireless broadband available in more and more places. Satellite Internet provides Internet service through orbiting satellites. This type of broadband is slower than the others, but still much faster than dial-up.

Finally Broadband over Powerline (BPL) sends data over low and medium voltage electrical lines. This is a newer technology, and so is still in its infancy across the country. Whatever way you choose, try to hook up with broadband Internet access, and you will see how much easier it has become to use the Internet. You will never want to switch back to dial-up again.