What You Should Know About Broadband Internet and Its Benefits

What is a Broadband Internet Connection?

Broadband internet service is the most used form of internet access because of its high access speeds.

Broadband comes in four different forms:

DSL (or Digital Subscriber Line)
Fiber-optic
Cable
Satellite

These are simply different ways the internet is delivered to your home. The old dial-up connection (which does still exist) is the only non-broadband internet service available. While it is cheaper, most internet users are moving towards a faster broadband internet connection.

Broadband Internet Services vs Dial-Up

The cost of broadband service is higher than dial-up by $100–500 annually, but given the advantages and ease of a broadband connection, most consumers feel it is well worth the cost. For instance, broadband is estimated to be between five to 50 times faster than traditional dial-up services.

Most people looking at broadband generally choose between the most popular services, DSL and cable. A good approach when researching your options is to ask your neighbors which service they use and how it is working for them.

Pros of Broadband

Broadband is generally a far more popular option than traditional dial-up services. Here are just a few reasons why:

A broadband connection allows you to play many popular computer games that rely on a fast internet connection.
A broadband connection, unlike the old dial-up internet connection, will not engage your phone line when in use.
Having a broadband connection makes it possible for you to obtain a voice-over-internet phone service (VoIP) so you will no longer need the traditional phone line at all.
Another great benefit of a broadband connection is that you are constantly connected to the internet. You are quickly able to connect with your work’s intranet and email in a matter of seconds.

Once installed, a broadband connection is always on. The connection is maintained with the use of a cable or DSL modem. Cable internet connects the computer to the cable outlet in your wall, while DSL connects through a modem that uses your phone line. (Again, DSL will not tie up your landline.) You have to literally unplug the connection or turn off the power to disconnect from the internet.

Unlike the old dial-up service, you do not dial a specific phone number to gain access to the internet. With broadband service, access to the internet is given by simply opening your internet browser of choice (you can usually double-click the icon on your desktop — Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, etc.). Your default web page will open and you can immediately start surfing the web. The whole process should take no more than about 10 to 15 seconds, depending on your internet speed and your computer’s speed.

Determining speeds with broadband services

Even though cable broadband internet service offers a speedy internet connection, this fast speed will not be realized if the connection itself cannot be relied on. For example, the cable connection you receive depends on the shared bandwidth, the number of users on the system at any time, and the latency on the network.

The bandwidth is just one factor that determines the internet connection’s speed. It is a measure of the quantity of data that enters the network over time and is measured in Mbps (megabits per second). The greater the data flow, the better the network internet connection. In broadband connections, the supported data rates are generally 300 Kbps and higher. By comparison, dial-up has a maximum of 53 Kbps.

Latency refers to delays incurred in network data processing. A network is described as having low latency if it experiences only small delay times and high latency if it suffers from long delays. When the latency becomes excessive, data transmission causes a bottleneck that prevents additional data from coming through and this effectively reduces the cable’s internet connection speeds. In other words, the devices responsible for getting data to your computer or phone may get bogged down. So even though the bandwidth of your internet connection is set, its effectiveness can be reduced by bottlenecks of data and a high number of users on the system.

DSL Network

The DSL (or Digital Subscriber Line) internet service connects via unused telephone wires that cause no interruption to your telephone service. The speed you experience with a DSL connection varies with your distance from the switching station. Your speed will be slower the further away you are and faster the closer you are to the switching station and this may be a deciding factor when you attempt to select between a DSL line and a cable connection.

A DSL network allows users to access both the internet and a phone line at the same time, giving it an advantage over outdated dial-up connections. Your ISP will provide the modem for your DSL connection to be connected to your computer or a router.

There are two types of DSL:

Symmetric DSL: SDSL provides equal speeds for data sent and received by splitting the downward and upward streams evenly. Download speeds may be reduced with SDSL.
Asymmetric DSL: ADSL offers faster download streaming, making it a good option for users who download more data than they upload.

Advantages of DSL Network

There are many reasons that DSL is a popular choice for connectivity.

It’s cheaper when compared to cable options
It works on existing phone wiring rather than requiring new wiring
ISPs provide several packages of pricing and speed
Faster than a traditional modem
Equipment is provided by the ISP

Disadvantages of DSL Network

There are a few drawbacks to the DSL network, however, including:

As described above, upload speeds may be slower
It may not be available in rural or remote locations
Tends to be more reliable when the DSL’s location is close to the ISP’s servers

Cable Network

This broadband cable connection is provided by the local cable TV provider. It connects your home to the internet via a coaxial cable, most frequently wired by the ISP you’ve chosen.

Here, the cable internet connection speed varies with the number of users on the service at a specific point in time. Given a specific geographical area, users of the broadband cable service share the connection bandwidth, which slows the speed relative to the number of users on the system.

This will occur at peak times, for example: late in the evenings after the work day is over when many people will be accessing the internet at once.

Somewhat misleadingly, the cable company estimates connection speeds that are based on the thinking that you are using the service on your own, but that is not the case. You are sharing with your entire neighborhood.

Still, a cable network is one of the most reliable internet options available and offers speeds (in prime conditions) of up to 15 megabits per second, which is measurably faster than satellite and DSL connections, although not as fast as fiber-optic networks.

Advantages of Cable Network

There are many advantages of cable networks compared to other options.

Convenient billing: Many cable companies offer internet along with cable services, frequently at a discounted price as “bundled services”
No phone landline is required and the connection is always available
Faster than most of the other options
Safer from unexpected dropouts or service interruptions
Excellent choice for data-heavy activities such as streaming and gaming

Disadvantages of Cable Network

Cable network connections do have a few disadvantages, however. These may be:

Slowed speeds during peak internet usage times
Expensive installation fees
Limited availability in some rural or remote locations
Slower than fiber-optic network

Fiber-Optic Network

The newest broadband service is fiber-optic, which is the fastest internet connection thus far. It works by sending signals through thin strands of plastic or glass, which are known as optical fibers. The entire network relies on light-based technology to carry information back and forth. It is truly a revolution in network communication.

However, this type of internet service is still in its infancy as its service areas are quite limited and because it takes a long time to lay down the fiber-optic cable. Where it is available, the cost not only competes with that of DSL and cable, but it provides a much faster connection than both of those services.

Advantages of a Fiber-Optic Network

As the newcomer on the block, fiber-optic has many advantages over its cousins, DSL and cable networks. These include:

Superior strength
Reliable connections unaffected by weather
Enhanced security compared to other network options
Less electrical or mechanical interference and disruptions
Lightweight, thin, and flexible
More fibers per square inch mean improved capacity to carry information
Longer distances covered
Increased bandwidth

Disadvantages of fiber-optic network

Along with all the advantages of fiber-optic networks, there are a few pitfalls as well.

Fragile and easily damaged during installation
Requires experienced technicians to avoid damage during splicing
Higher costs
It may not be available in rural or remote locations

Satellite Network

The last and slowest broadband service is provided by satellite. Satellite networks require three satellite dishes: one at your home, one in space, and one at your ISP’s hub. You will also need cables attached to a modem to bring the signal inside.

Advantages of a Satellite Network

There are many advantages over DSL and cable broadband service, such as:

Higher available bandwidth
More reliable when running multiple internet applications at the same time
Quick installation and near-instant availability after installation is complete
Reliability with fewer network outages
Cost-effective compared to laying cable or fiber
Faster speeds than dial-up
Global availability, even in remote or rural locations

Disadvantages of satellite network

Latency (the amount of time between sending information and when the information is received) makes this option less favorable for gaming
Weather disruptions can include wind, rain and storms, and significant cloud cover
More expensive than cable
Minor obstructions can block the signals
Potential for incompatibility with VPNs
Some providers impose data caps