Internet Basics: Types of Broadband Connections

If you have decided that you want to abandon slow and clunky dial-up in favor or a broadband connection to the Internet, you may be wondering as a consequence what types of broadband connections are available to you today. This article examines what your options are when it comes broadband connections.

The most commonly used types of broadband connections that are being utilized by consumers for both personal and business use are:

• Cable
• DSL
• Satellite
• Wireless Broadband

Each of these variations will be discussed individually for your consideration.

Cable

Cable broadband represents the fastest way through which you can gain Internet access. In simple terms, you are gaining Internet access over the same line that provides a person with cable television service. In point of fact, cable allows a person to surf the Internet at a rate of speed that is markedly faster than even DSL. In addition, large quantities of data also can be transmitted easily via cable broadband.

Cable broadband is ideal for a business and for a person who is operating a home based business enterprise. It is also well suited for a person who enjoys gaming and other online activities which are time sensitive.

DSL

DSL is also a means of broadband Internet access. DSL actually does rely on phone lines for Internet access, but it is different from dial up. Unlike dial up, a DSL line is always on. You can easily have DSL at your home. The provider -- the ISP -- will simply “divide” your phone line so that you will have continuous DSL service and still be able to utilize the telephone line for verbal and fax communications.

DSL is a fast method of gaining Internet access. You can surf the Net at a nice clip with DSL. It is significantly faster than dial up, although it is not as fast as a cable broadband Internet connection.

Satellite

Satellite is one of the newest methods of gaining Internet access. In simple terms, you gain access to the Net by having transmissions “beamed” to and from a satellite in orbit around the Earth. Satellite Internet access allows for fast surfing of the Net.

The technology remains rather new and as a result is more expensive than some of the other avenues through which you can gain Internet access today.

Wireless Broadband

Wireless broadband allows you to gain Internet access from nearly anywhere. With wireless broadband, your Internet becomes portable. It operates on many of the same principles as your cellular phone. Internet transmissions are “beamed” back and forth from different towers or relay stations on the ground (unlike satellite service in which transmissions are “beamed” upwards into space).

In recent times, wireless broadband has become more reasonably priced and more widely used because of its tremendous convenience. On many levels, many industry insiders and experts believe that wireless broadband Internet access is the “wave of the future.”