ASK MR. MODEM

Ready, Willing and Cable! 

How to Move into the Fast Lane

with High-Speed Internet Access

By Richard A. Sherman

f you're tired of twiddling your thumbs while your modem squeals its way to establishing an Internet connection, or if you've grown weary waiting for Web pages to ooze onto your screen, it's time to consider high-speed Internet access. Moving out into the high-speed lane of the “Databahn” is affordable, convenient, and it will transform your Internet experience—perhaps even your life (if you embrace gratuitous hyperbole, as I do). 

            The benefits associated with high-speed Internet access (occasionally referred to as "broadband") are many:

• Up to 50 times faster than dial-up connections

• An always-on connection

• No squealing modem

• No need to worry about busy signals

• Doesn't tie up a telephone line

• No waiting for somebody to get off the phone

• No dropped or lost connections

• Faster searches result in greater productivity—and more fun!

            The primary benefit of high-speed Internet access, however, is how valuable the Internet becomes when virtually any information you want or need is just seconds away. A 10MB file that takes 24 minutes to download at 56kbps requires as little as two seconds to download with high-speed access. Games, software, Web cams, music, Internet radio, movie clips, and graphics are delivered to your computer in a fraction of the time required by dial-up access. Once you have high-speed access, you'll wonder how you ever survived with dial-up. 

            You'll also be pleasantly surprised at how much more fun it is to explore Web sites with a fast connection. I obtained my high-speed connection almost five years ago and I've been so busy exploring the Internet's many nooks and crannies, I haven't been out of the house since. Sure, Mrs. Modem isn't all that thrilled, but she takes great comfort in knowing that if she ever needs to find out whether it's raining in Ruhengeri or snowing in Spitsbergen, I'm there for her . . . in a flash. There are several ways you can join the fast lane. Let's take a look at several popular high-speed Internet options:

            DSL: A Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) delivers high-speed Internet service through your existing phone line, though it does not interfere with your use of the telephone, caller ID, answering machine, or other phone services. DSL access is available in a variety of speeds, depending on the type of DSL service selected. The two most popular flavors of DSL are ADSL and SDSL. DSL is usually available through your local telephone company, so if you're interested in determining its availability in your area, check with your telephone service provider first. In most instances, the location where you wish to install the DSL (i.e., your home or office) must be within three miles of one of the company’s telephone switching stations or its central office.

            ADSL: The Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, or ADSL, is the type of DSL most popular for residential use. It's referred to as "asymmetric" because it downloads (receives) data faster than it uploads (sends) data. The vast majority of Internet surfing involves downloading data from the Web, so ADSL works well for most users. Home-use DSL speeds range from 128kbps to 1.5 Mbps downstream (receiving data from the Internet to your computer) and 64kbps to 500kbps upstream (moving data from your computer to the Internet).

            Prices for ADSL service range from approximately $40 to $70 per month. Installation charges for all varieties of DSL can be as high as $300, so be sure to investigate all associated costs before signing up.

            SDSL: More common for business use is Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line service, or SDSL. With SDSL, you get the same speed in both directions. Although SDSL is more expensive than ADSL, it is recommended if you're running a Web server or conducting other activities that would require sending lots of large files or other data transfers. SDSL speeds typically range from 1.5 to 2.0Mbps upstream and downstream. Prices vary from $75 to $200 per month.

            Cable: When it comes to speed, cable is king. Check with your local television cable provider to determine if cable Internet access is available in your area. Data travels on the same coaxial cable that the TV signal uses, but it doesn't adversely affect the TV signal. So the good news is that you can surf the Internet and watch The Osbournes at the same time! It's nothing short of a miracle. Access speeds range from approximately 200kbps upstream to 2Mbps downstream. 

            Unlike DSL service, where each subscriber has her own line, cable is shared access. All users on a neighborhood network segment (called a "node") share access (called "bandwidth"), so performance can be slower if many people in the 'hood use the service at the same time. Cable providers usually limit the number of households per node to prevent significant reduction in access speed. Prices for cable access range from $40 to $60 per month. If given the option of purchasing or leasing a cable modem, I'd recommend purchasing it. Cable modems cost $75 to $100.

            Satellite: With satellite Internet access, incoming data travels from a satellite 22,000 miles up in space to a small satellite dish at your home. For Internet users in rural areas who can't get DSL or cable, satellite access presents an excellent alternative for broadband service. Access speeds vary from 100 to 500kbps downstream to 40 to 60 kbps upstream speed, and prices range from $60 to $100 per month, plus dish installation. For satellite access, your installed dish needs a clear, unobstructed view of the southern sky.

            With a variety of high-speed options to choose from, the bigger question then becomes which is better, DSL, cable access, or satellite? The answer depends on your location, your budget, and your needs. At varying times, I've tried them all, and my personal favorite is cable. It's easily installed, consistently fast, and cost-effective.

            The Downside: Despite the many benefits of high-speed Internet access, because it's an "always on" connection, it can be vulnerable to computer hackers and viruses. I'll address related security issues and offer suggestions for how you can protect your system in next month's column.  

            If you have high-speed Internet access, I'd like to hear from you. Send an e-mail to MrModem@MrModem.net and let me know what type of high-speed access you have and what your experience—good or bad—has been with it. I'll share the results of this comprehensive, scientific study in a future column.

            Oh, and by the way, if bits, bytes, kbps and Mbps make your eyes glaze over, send a blank e-mail to bits@MrModem.net.  By return e-mail, you'll receive a geekspeak-free explanation, with my compliments.

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Richard A. Sherman, a k a Mr. Modem, is a nationally syndicated columnist, whose “Ask Mr. Modem!” column appears in more than 60 publications throughout the U.S. and in Canada. As publisher of the popular “Ask Mr. Modem” weekly newsletter, he provides easy-to-understand, non-technical, computer- and Internet-related answers to questions received from subscribers worldwide. He is the author of eight books, including “Mr. Modem’s Internet Guide for Seniors” (Sybex) and “Ask Mr. Modem,” a collection of hundreds of frequently asked computer and Internet questions received from readers. Richard is a contributing editor to TechTV and host of the daily "Mr. Modem Minute" television segment produced by FOX-TV.

SITES WORTH SEEING

BroadBandBuyer.com www.broadbandbuyer.com/ This free service will help you determine what high-speed access is available in your area and to compare pricing of available options.

Everything DSL www.everythingdsl.com/links/

A comprehensive resource for—well, everything DSL, including links to DSL resources, telephone companies, publications, as well as information about the service, technical requirements, pricing, availability, and more.

Satellite Access

The two leading satellite access providers are Starband and Direcpc (not to be confused with DirectPC):  Visit Starband www.starband.com and DirecPC www.direcpc.com.

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