According to Internet World Statistics, approximately 25 percent of world population has regular broadband access to the Internet (Shelly, Napier, & Rivers, 2009, p. 45). This fast growing segment offers three main connection types which bring multiple benefits like interactive communication, online learning, and even the ability to monitor the security of one’s own home twenty-four hours a day.
Pros and Cons of Cable, DSL, and Satellite Internet
As Shelly, Napier, and Rivers (2009) commented, cable broadband connection is one of the easiest, inexpensive, and most popular types of internet access (p. 61). It works through a coax cable of a digital cable provider, and is capable of connecting a user to the internet at 128K to upload information and 400k per second to download information. Multiple upstreams when sending data is the major advantage of cable broadband, but unfortunately the more people share the network the slower it gets.
Digital subscriber link (DSL) connection type uses a special modem and a phone line for internet access. In comparison to cable connection, DSL is faster – about 400 to 650K per second or faster (Shelly, Napier, & Rivers, 2009, p. 76). It is more reliable than cable internet, but is often unavailable everywhere.
The third type of broadband connection type is satellite. Its main drawback is its high price, but due to its availability it presents a good opportunity for people residing in rural areas. Its speed is also around 600k per second or higher because of the low number of users sharing the network, but satellite internet is very expensive and on average costs 600 dollars a month. In addition, weather conditions usually influence connection quality making it unreliable (Shelly, Napier, & Rivers, 2009, p. 145).
In conclusion, it is important to highlight that contemporary technologies provide various options of broadband connection for any kind of user. Cable and DSL is suitable for those who cannot or do not want to spend much money, DSL is better for those who value reliability and speed, while satellite is an option for rural people, who have fewer choices, and can only use satellite connection.
References
Shelly, G. B., Napier, H. A., & Rivers, O. N. (2009). Discovering the Internet: Brief Concepts and Techniques. (3d ed.). Course Technology.
