Introduction
The use of internet began as a project funded by the government of the United States to support activities within the government. The use of internet widened over time and universities and large research organizations gained access to the use of the facility. It spread further and other world institutions outside the United States became beneficiaries of the internet. World Wide Web Consortium lifted a ban on public use of the internet in 1995. Upon opening the internet for public use, private institutions and individuals took up interest to access and pass information via the internet. Currently, internet is the most widely used mode of communication. Close to eighty per cent of the world’s population has least weekly access to the internet. This work labors to explore the need for fast internet connectivity. In addition, it provides a detailed account of the technologies used to provide access to the internet. It outlines the advantages and disadvantages of each method of internet connectivity discussed.
Need for Internet Speed
One peculiar aspect of the 21st century is the direction operations in every day’s life have taken. The world has become a digital world; almost everything is possible at the touch of a button. Computers and the invention of internet have revolutionized business operations and individual lifestyles. Firms and individuals rely on the internet for virtually all operations. Internet is the backbone of interaction between people. Physical interaction that was traditionally the norm has lessened and populaces increasingly interact via social media such as twitter. Postal mailing is closing extinction in most parts of the world in favor of instant electronic mails. Further, video calls in the form of skype and other trademarks have made physical interaction redundant.
In the business field, internet has improved management and globalization of businesses. As the situation in social life, there is no longer need for physical presence of managers in business meetings. People can hold meetings from any part of the world using video-conferencing. In addition to saving travelling expenses, this advancement has profound implication in reducing time wastage. Managers are able to concentrate on more pressing management issues of the company instead of travelling around the world. Additionally, internet has enabled people to work from home. This saves resources that would otherwise be used for office space and travelling expenses of employees. Data transfer and storage of company information is growing via cloud computing. Sharing of management issues and information has become fast and reliable via the internet.
Other than application of the internet on social and business platforms, the internet is an important tool in governance. As stated before, the internet was initially a governance tool for the United States. It has become one of the most effective tools both for governments across the world to communicate their policies as well as for the public to scrutinize the actions of the government. The internet has been the conduit through which revolutions in the contemporary world have obtained relevance and tangible results. The Arab Uprising of 2012 that saw ousting of Egypt former autocratic leader is a perfect case in point. Due to the immense roles the internet plays in the society today, there is undoubtedly sound evidence that connectivity must be fast. Internet virtually supports the running of the world every second of the day. Reliability and speed of such an imperative aspect of communication is of the essence.
Choosing the method of internet connectivity for one to use depends on a number of issues. The most essential of the considerations is availability of the method used to connect and access the internet. No organization or individual would want to invest time and resources on a connection method that does not meet his needs. The method one chooses relies heavily on whether there is wireless or cabled network, for example. For instance, Local Area Network may provide for stations where internet users connect their personal computers and laptops. One choosing with access to LAN would choose, therefore, a different connection method from another person in a coffee shop with wireless internet. Further, it would be necessary to consider the data rates of the connection method. For a large organization with bulky need for data flow, there would be emphases on methods that allow fast data rates. Individual use of the internet would not lay emphases on a fast data rate and large bandwidth.
Technological advances have availed several connection methods to internet users. Among these, there is dial-up method that makes use of standard telephone lines MODEMs. Integrated Service Digital Network abbreviated ad ISDN utilizes existing telephone lines to pass data from hosts to clients over the worldwide web. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is the other method of connecting to the internet. It also uses existing telephone lines and integrates internet access and standard phone services using DSL hub. In addition, cable MODEMs uses existing television coaxial cables to connect to the internet. The services are provisions of one’s TV provider. Further, T-1 is the other special method of connection that does not work over normal telephone lines, but offers users reliable internet connectivity.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
DSL uses existing telephone lines and integrates internet access and standard phone services using DSL hub. The system provides an all-time connection to the internet to its users. The speeds of data transfer using the service varies between 256Kbps to 640Kbps. The speed of internet connectivity using DSL relies on the distance of the user from the provider company’s central office. DSL allows users to operate from a single phone line without blocking the calling capabilities of the line. Digital Subscriber Line uses high frequencies for internet connection. The lower frequencies remain free for regular calls.
Traditionally, the acronym DSL stood for Digital Subscriber Loop. The most widely installed variety of DSL is the Asymmetric DSL. Depending on the line conditions, DSL technology used and service level implementation, the downstream throughput of DSL can be as high as 20Mbits per second. The data throughput from the user to the provider is lower than the downstream. DSL technology provides for very-high-bit-rate DSL that enables the use of the technology via coaxial cables.
Advantages of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
Compared to other methods of internet connection, DSL provides a high quality, fast connection to the internet. DSL services provide for a high bandwidth that is characteristic of telephone lines, which provide a large room for data transfer. The method can support telephone calls and internet access simultaneously. DSL lines are relatively secure. In comparison to cable modems, DSL are hard to hack. In addition, DSL are durable. The technology loses power in bad weather. This makes the system unlikely to lose its functionality from telephone lines. Severed telephone lines do not damage the functionality of DSL devices unless in extreme circumstances. Finally, DSL provides the best choice of speedy internet connection for people who live close to service providers. The closer one is to the service provider, the faster his internet connectivity becomes.
Disadvantages of Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
One major disadvantage of DSL is the high cost of setting up a new system. It costs more than $200 to set up a new DSL line or replace an old one. This is by far more expensive than other connectivity methods such as modems. Additionally, it is difficult to receive quality DSL services for users who live far away from the central service providers. Most providers have an upper limit of around 3 miles from the central provider. This implies not everyone has the ability to access DSL services. Monthly subscription for DSL is relatively higher than other methods of internet connection. Those far away from the range of connection provided for by the providers pay up to $99.95 monthly for the service. This contrasts cable and dial-up MODEM that cost as little as $11.43 a month.
Cable Internet Access
Accessing the internet using cabling technique utilizes existing TV coaxial cables. The service is a product of one’s TV provider. The cable modem connects just like cable box or TV. The technique allows connection of a computer to the network through a network card (NIC) plus an Ethernet cable. The speeds of cable connectivity vary and can be as high as 1.5Mbps. The speed of internet connection and data sharing reduces as more users join a particular network. This is so because every user who joins the network shares a constant bandwidth. The service often costs upto$50 on top of TV subscription.
Advantages of Cable Internet Access
One of the core advantages of cable connectivity to the network is its ability to provide high quality services with high bandwidth that translate to high speeds. If a network has a few users, each user gets tremendously high speeds of data transfer. The transfer rates are often higher than that of DSL in such situations. Compared to DSL services, there is an advantage that one does not have as strict location limitation. A user can access the services of a cable service provider and still access internet services via cables.
Disadvantages of Cable Internet Access
Despite the amazing advantages that accrue to the cable linking, one does not enjoy services of a large number of users. Speed and efficiency of connection diminishes as the number of users increase. This is a problem unheard-of in DSL connection. While cable connection seems as a cheaper alternative to other connection methods like satellites, it has several hidden costs. The faster the connection one wants with cable connectivity, the more expensive the service becomes. This implies it is only cheap for speeds that may not benefit the users.
Wireless Cellular Network Connection
Wireless internet access does not need any conduit to pass data into a client computer. It is increasingly becoming the most preferred means of data transfer. Cell phones that have capabilities to access the internet use this method of internet connectivity.
Advantages of Wireless Cellular Network Connection
Wireless internet access allows one to access the internet from a range of devices. It is convenient and one can use it at any time as long as he is within range of a network and authority to access. It also nullifies the need to incur the costs of installing wires.
Disadvantages of Wireless Cellular Network Connection
Installing the wireless internet access device takes some technical knowhow. One has to hire a professional installer to place a cable or DSL installation if he lacks the technical knowledge to jumpstart a wireless connection setup. Although it is cheap and convenient to install, it becomes quite costly when accessed in public places. For instance, airports charge between $5 and $10 for logging into their wireless networks.
Satellite Internet Access
Satellite internet access provides subscribers with internet link via satellite. The principle works the same as it is in TV satellite communication. One has to install a satellite dish next to the facility he intends to access the internet. The dish picks information from the asynchronous satellite dishes placed in the sky via feed horns. Data rates for the method of connection ranges from 2kbps to 10Mbps for upstream and 2kbps to 1Gbps for downstream.
Advantages of Satellite Internet Access
Satellite internet access is the greatest and most formidable option for users who stay in remote places. People who stay in places too far away from reception of DSL, cable and dial-up connections get refuge in internet connection via satellite. Satellite connection is reliable. Although it may not attract as much reliability as cable or DSL due to distortions and signal noise in harsh weather, there is credible reliability for those who stay in remote areas. Data can never be lost although there may be delays in delivering or receiving information. Satellite services are available everywhere as it depends on an orbiting satellite. As long as a subscriber has a satellite dish connected to the direction of the satellite, he accesses the internet. Another major advantage is that internet connectivity via satellites is not dependent on wires. For this reason, there is never data transfer breakdown due to disconnected wires. Satellites also make it easy to access more than one connection at a time. The system does not interfere from multiple users as cable connection.
Disadvantage of Satellite Internet Access
The core disadvantage of satellite connection is its high costs of installation and maintenance. Initial installation could cost as much as $10000 and monthly subscription fee could be as high as $100. The method also has lower bandwidth than other methods, making transfer of data slow.
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