Internet Connections

Dial-up

A dial-up connection to an Internet service provider, or ISP, is the most commonly used Internet connection. Dial-up connections are readily available in most areas and are relatively inexpensive. However, the maximum speed at which you can receive data using ordinary modems is about 56 Kbps (kilobits per second). Other common dial-up connection speeds are 14.4 Kbps and 28.8 Kbps.

The ability of your computer to receive information using a dial-up connection is limited. This is because your telephone company must put the information that arrives as digital data into analog form before sending it across the telephone line. Your modem must then change the analog data back into digital.

DSL

DSL, or Digital Subscriber Line, provides a faster Internet connection by eliminating the process of converting digital data into analog data and back again.

In theory, you might be able to receive data at speeds up to 6.1 Mbps (megabits per second). However, DSL connection speeds are dependent upon a number of factors, including the quality of the telephone company’s equipment and the distance between your computer and the telephone company’s central office. Typical DSL connection speeds range from 1.544 Mbps to 512 Kbps to download data from a Web server and approximately 128 Kbps to upload data to a Web server. A high downstream bandwidth means improved ability to download streaming motion video, audio, and 3-D images.

In addition to being faster than a dial-up connection, DSL provides a continuous data connection. This type of connection eliminates delays associated with connecting to an ISP. The cost of DSL varies depending upon the type of DSL service and the data transfer rate it provides. The monthly service cost is typically twice the cost of a dial-up ISP. Faster data transfer rates are available at a higher monthly cost.

Cable modem

Cable modem Internet service provides a data transfer rate that is faster than a dial-up connection and comparable to DSL. An advantage of cable over dial-up Internet access is that it is a continuous connection.

The actual bandwidth for Internet service over a cable connection can be up to 27 Mbps to download data and about 2.5 Mbps for interactive responses. Even though a typical data transfer rate is 1.5 Mbps, data transfer rates that you can achieve with cable Internet service might be reduced if other cable subscribers in your area are using the service simultaneously.

At a glance

Keep in mind that connection speeds and costs are variable, depending on several factors. Connection speeds can vary according to overall Internet traffic volumes, local conditions, and type of service. Costs can vary according to geographic location, length of service contract, and provider. Other conditions may affect these estimated figures.

	Dial-up	DSL	Cable
Speed	Up to 56 Kbps data transfer rate	Typically, 1.544 Mbps to 512 Kbps downstream and about 128 Kbps upstream	Typically, 1.5 Mbps
Connection	You need to re-connect for each use	Continuous connection	Continuous connection
Cost of Service	Around $20 per month	Starting at $50 per month	Around $40 per month
Availability	Available in most areas	Available in many urban areas	Available in most urban areas