What Are Some Different Kinds of Internet Connections?
When you are trying to figure out what kind of Internet connection to get for your house, knowing something about all the different choices can make it easier for you to choose which one will work best for you. The following are four of the major types available today.
Dial-up
A dial-up connection uses a modem that is attached to a phone line. The modem then dials into the Internet service provider. These connections are very rarely used anymore, because compared to other options they are very, very slow. They can't support most of the programs that are in use today, nor can they be connected to handheld devices. A dial-up connection also takes up a phone line, so you can't use your landline if you have a dial-up connection in use.
DSL
DSL stands for "digital subscriber lines." Digital subscriber lines are carried over your phone lines as well. However, instead of having a modem that calls into an ISP, the DSL connection is always connected. It's set up so that it won't block a landline. DSL connections are significantly faster than dial-up connections, but they aren't generally as fast as some other kinds of connections are.
Cable
A cable Internet connection comes over the same lines that bring you your cable television. The cable goes into a modem and is always on, just as a DSL connection is. However, a cable connection tends to be faster than a DSL connection is. The reason for this is the quality of the wires that are used to carry the signal. The coaxial cable that is used for a cable connection can carry a better signal with less signal loss or noise than a regular phone line can.
Satellite
It is possible to get an Internet connection through satellite. The problem with this is that there are a whole lot of miles between your house and where the satellite where the signal needs to be. That can mean that it can sometimes be laggy, and the end user may notice some delays. Satellite Internet connections are really more of a specialized kind of connection. They are a great choice for customers who live in places where it's difficult to get any other kind of connection, like in remote or rural locations.
If you are trying to figure out what kind of Internet connection you should use for your house, having a little information about the different kinds will make it easier for you to make the right choice. For more information, contact companies like Solarus.