Lesson 9: Broadband Essentials

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Before you can connect to the Internet and generally Surfing the Web you will require two essential components. These are:

ADSL/DSL Modem/Router (ADSL = Landline; DSL = Cable)
Internet Service Provider

Both go hand in hand, you can't have one without the other.

Modem/Router

A modem is a piece of hardware that, basically, connects to your PC, via a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connector and to the phone line using a telephone plug. If your modem also has a built in router then the router enables you to connect (network) other PCs to your own. Data then passes between your own PC and the Internet via the modem or between your PC, any networked PCs, and the Internet via a modem router. Most ISP's now supply modem routers to their customer's instead of conventional modems.

As we have said, either a Modem or Modem Router is supplied by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) when you sign up for their service. In some cases the modem (modem router) is supplied free of charge (depending upon which service you go for) in others your ISP may make a charge for the modem (modem router.)

If you are buying either a modem or modem router yourself from a local computer store be aware that the modem (modem router) needs to be compatible with your current connection. In other words if you are using a landline connection (ADSL) then you need a modem (modem router) suitable for this type of connection. If your internet connection is via Cable then you need a cable modem (modem router). You will find that landline modem's (modem router's) are slightly more expensive than their Cable counterparts

Internet Service Provider

There are numerous Internet Service Providers out there that are vying for your custom. Which one you choose is ultimately up to you, but do have a good look around to see what is on offer before committing yourself.

Remember that you basically have two connection options - Landline and Cable. Which option is available to you will depend upon your area. If you live out in the wilds then you may only have a landline option.

While a landline connection is convenient it does suffer certain problems, with the most obvious one being the distance the user is from the local exchange - the closer you are the better the download speed and, conversely, the farther away the less the download speed. Cable connections, on the other hand, do not suffer from this loss of speed and, therefore, should be considered over a standard landline connection wherever possible.

While speed is the all important consideration, especially to Online Gamers, it is not the be all and end all. Yes, you need a relatively high speed to download files quickly, but something just as important is your monthly download allowance.

Now don't think that because you are not physically downloading a film, file or music, that your download allowance isn't being used, because you would be wrong. Your connection is always checking for updated content for the web page(s) you are currently viewing; you are also regularly downloading emails and if you use a messenger service with video, such as MSN Live Messenger, Skype etc, to talk to friends and family in your own country or overseas your download allowance can quickly be consumed.

With this in mind it is always wise to go, if at all possible, for a Broadband package with Unlimited downloads. In many cases an Unlimited option is only slightly more expensive per month than that of, say, a 2GB monthly download limit.

Speed

ISP's market their broadband based on connection speed and each one will boast that they have the fastest connection speed currently available. It is all very well being told that you have a connection speed of 8Mbps (Megabits per second) or even 24Mbps however, don't believe all you read. An 8Mbps Broadband speed may, in reality, turn out to be no more than 4 or 5Mbps, so always be wary of inflated connection speed claims. Another thing to remember is that many ISP's will cap the speed or even reduce it further depending upon how many people are using the service at a set time, so if at peak time you feel the speed of your connection has decreased you can bet the ISP has capped it.

Capping is done for a reason and that reason is to prevent excessive users of the service from downloading content quickly at the expense of less excessive user. Sadly capping is a fact of life and it is only done, so the ISPs say, to be fair to all users.