Here is a brief explanation of how DSL, cable, and satellite Internet connections work as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
Cable Internet Service
Cable Internet is offered through cable companies, who can provide telephone, television, and high-speed Internet services. Through physical coaxial or fiber-optic cables, the cable company creates a physical connection between users and the nearest company location. Internet services are offered through a cable modem, which uses bandwidth from the TV channels to connect to the Internet.
Internet service requires only a small amount of bandwidth, which makes it easy to combine with TV service. Most cable companies offer bundles of TV, Internet, and telephone service, or any combination of the three. Since the Internet connection uses the same cables as the phone and TV services, adding Internet services to existing phone or TV services is as simple as installing a modem. Because a physical connection is established through the cables, the quality of the Internet connection isn’t affected by a user’s distance from the provider’s office.
Cable Internet is particularly convenient for users who don’t share a cable channel with anyone else. However, customers who live in an area with many users can experience a decline in Internet speeds and encounter difficulty with cable Internet, especially when other users stream multiple videos or share large data files. This occurs because all of the users on a given channel are sharing the same bandwidth. Customers should also remember that bundles of TV, Internet, and telephone service can be a good deal, but sometimes the services may be cheaper if purchased separately. Use the tools provided by Wirefly to see pricing across all services.
DSL, or a Digital Subscriber Line, is an Internet connection that runs through an analog telephone line. Through this analog telephone line, users have access to bandwidth, a frequency range that can transmit telephone calls. DSL uses the extra bandwidth from this line to connect to the Internet. First, users connect their computers to a DSL modem at home. The modem connects to a service provider through the analog phone line. The service provider then connects to the Internet through a DSLAM, or digital subscriber line access multiplexer. Through this connection, the customer can access the Internet.
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