Get Connected: All About Broadband

Now that you see all the benefits of a high-speed connection, here are four ways to go, depending on where you live and service availability.

If you have cable TV, your provider may also offer Internet access for an additional fee, typically $20 to $50 USD a month, depending on the plan. To access the service you need a cable modem, which is usually provided as part of the package. Cable can be speedy, ranging from 512 Kbps to 20 Mbps, but depending on how the cable system is configured, speed may decrease if many subscribers are online at the same time.

DSL, short for Digital Subscriber Line, employs an unused portion of your telephone line, so there's no need to install another one in your home or office. The service, which is typically provided by your local phone company, costs from $15 to $50 USD monthly for residential customers. To connect, you need a digital modem, usually provided by the phone company.

Since DSL service is delivered over a dedicated line, bandwidth is not shared with other subscribers as with cable. But connection speeds, ranging from 128 Kbps to 8 Mbps, depend on your distance from the local exchange. The maximum distance is about three miles (5 kilometers). If you live further than that, you can't hook up to DSL. Those living closest to the local exchange enjoy the fastest speeds.

With satellite Internet access, you connect via the same satellite dish you use to receive TV programs. These systems can be one-way or two-way; with a one-way system, you download data via satellite, but you must upload via a dial-up phone line; with a two-way system, high-speed data is both sent and received via satellite. Satellite service requires substantial set-up fees and equipment and can cost up to $100 USD a month; speeds top 6 Mbps. For people in rural areas, where no other broadband service is available, satellite is an option, although an expensive one.

Just as bad weather may effect satellite TV reception, the same is true for Internet service. Also, because it takes time for the signal to travel to and from a satellite, you may experience a lag in data transmission, known as latency. In most cases, this is not a problem, except for aficionados of online gaming.

This relatively new service delivers speedy Internet access via radio waves. WiFi is typically used in private wireless networks in homes and offices or in public places like airports or cafes. Speeds can reach 30 Mbps or more.To access the network your laptop must have a wireless PC card installed. The good news is that the number of WiFi hotspots is growing and many are free.

With a wireless router, you can set up a local wireless network in your home, so that you can use your laptop anywhere you wish. But you will still need Internet access with one of the above options.

Another recent development is Wide Area Wireless, which is similar to cell phone technology, except that it delivers Internet access. WAW can cover large areas, even an entire city. But unless you are lucky enough to live or work in an area where these wireless networks are deployed, you will have to settle for another option, at least for now.

Broadband and mobile broadband technology is constantly evolving. With people using smartphones, iPads and other tablet-based devices to go online, the future of "broadband" as we know it may become all but extinct.

Last update: Dec 8, 2010