The most popular features of the Internet include electronic mail (of course you know e-mail), discussion groups (called newsgroups or bulletin boards, where users can post messages and look for responses on a system called Usenet). There is also the online conversations or chats, adventure and role-playing games and information retrieval You can also find electronic commerce (e-commerce) in the Net where you can buy and sell stuff at the click of a button.

On the other hand, broadband is the high-speed transmission. It is used to refer to Internet access which uses cable modems or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line). Broadband DSL connections are faster compared to dial-up connections.

Dial-up connections utilize phone lines to connect to the Internet while broadband uses cables.

High-speed transmission is commonly used to refer to Internet access via cable modems or DSL, which is faster than dial-up. For years, “broadband” has referred to a higher-speed connection, but the actual speed threshold has varied.

Along with digital subscriber line technology, cable modems ushered in the age of broadband Internet access in developed countries. Before DSL and cable modems, Internet access involved slow dial-up access over a public switched telephone network.

Users in a neighborhood share the available bandwidth provided by a single cable line. Therefore, connection speed can vary depending on how many people are using the service at the same time.

While T1 (1.5 Mbps) has been widely used as the threshold, others have used T3 (45 Mbps) for broadband. For example, after the turn of the century, South Korea leapfrogged the U.S. in Internet access, offering DSL up to 50 Mbps and calling their 1.5 Mbps service “light.”

Mbps is an abbreviation for megabits per second. It is the data transfer speeds as measured in megabits. This unit is mostly used in networking technologies such as broadband.

The World Wide Web (WWW) is the greatest force to the popularization of the Internet. It is a hypertext system (a computer based retrieval system) which makes browsing the Internet both fast and intuitive.

The information stored in the computer networks connected to the Internet forms a huge cyber library. But the enormous quantity of data and information in these interconnected computers makes it difficult to retrieve the information.

This is where broadband comes in because with the use of these cables, the information available in the Internet can be retrieved really fast and without hassles.

The broadband medium can carry signals from different network carriers. This is done through fiber-optic cable. Fiber-optic cable is a thin glass strand designed for transmission. It is capable of transmitting trillions of bits per second

Broadband technology can support a wide range of frequencies. Broadband in general refers to data transmission where multiple pieces of data are sent simultaneously to increase the effective rate of transmission. In network engineering this term is used for methods where two or more signals share a medium.

Various forms of DSL service are broadband in the sense that digital information is sent over one channel and voice over another channel sharing a single pair of wires.

James Monahan is the owner and senior editor of
BroadbandBase.com

What is VoIP?

If you never heard of VoIP, be equipped for a radical change on current telephony systems and long distance calling plans.

Voice over Internet Protocol, or in short, VoIP, is a simple method that takes ordinary analog audio signals and transform it into digital form and traverse in distance through the Internet. Several ways are used for VoIP calls: Analog Telephone Adaptors (ATA), IP phones, and PC-to-PC calls are some of the common ones. While ATA and IP phones will cost you a certain amount on the initial setup and monthly costs; PC-to-PC calls are absolutely free for any distance calls.

The impact of VoIP technology is huge. With VoIP, you can simply enjoy much cheaper phone calls by utilizing your existing PC set up and data networks. For those of you who are already paying a monthly fee for an Internet connection, this means that you can use that same connection to place free long distance phone calls. This process works by using already available VoIP software to make phone calls over the Internet, essentially circumventing phone companies and their service charges.

Besides, VoIP gives a greater flexibility to business travelers. Make VoIP calls from anywhere with Internet connections thru your laptop. With VoIP, you can also enjoy enhanced calling features such as calls forwarding, caller ids, call blockings and voicemail calls function.

How VoIP works?

We already knew when making VoIP calls, caller’s voice in analog form are collected; transformed into digital form; transmitted through Internet; and transformed again into analog voice for the listeners to listen.

However, how does the digital voice signal travel? Unlike conventional phone system that relies on circuit switching; voice signals in VoIP calls are transfer through packet-switching.

Packet-switching is the same method that you use when you view a website. For example, as you read this website, your PC does not maintain constant connection to the website. Instead, connections are only made to send and receive information on an as needed basis. It works the same for VoIP calls as this system allows the transfer of information over the Internet to work so quickly. While circuit switching (conventional telephone calls) maintains a constant and open connection; packet-switching builds a connections that is just enough for sending/receiving bits of data in the VoIP conversations.

By utilizing this special way of data sending, VoIP calls can be done with very little data transmission. This in turn allows voice signals to be sent on the least congested lines and thus a cheaper calling plans.

Drawbacks on VoIP calls

While most analysts consider it will be at least a decade before companies and telephone providers make the full switch to VoIP, the hidden power for the technology’s applications nowadays are very impressive.

Not to mention the emergency call issue on VoIP calls; there are quite a few VoIP’s drawbacks that need to be solved in order to have VoIP calls replace our conventional telephones. The power problem of VoIP phones, the security of the VoIP calls, as well as the compatible-ability of VoIP phones with other electronics appliances are some of the major problems that need to be solved.

Bottom line

Undeniable, VoIP is now a very powerful communication way that you can’t close the eyes to. To replace the traditional telephone system or not, VoIP service is here to hang about. Millions in United States are using VoIP calls nowadays and the numbers seem growing rapidly. With the savings and flexibility that the technology already offers, and new advances just ahead on the horizon, we can expect those numbers will only increase in the future.

The author, Claudia Walters, is an expert writer in office tools and VOIP technologies. View her latest writing assignments on Internet answering machine at http://www.MyCallWave.com Learn how you can avoid missing calls while online with CallWave call alerts and save up the cost for an extra phone line.

This technology uses your existing cable TV lines to access the internet. You will pay an additional fee to your cable TV provider for this extra service. If you were previously using dial up internet connection, you will probably notice a huge speed increase when you access the internet.

The advantage of this broadband internet connection than other types of broadband is speed. It typically offers faster speeds than most broadband internet types such as the DSL and satellite internet.

However, your cable internet speed depends largely on how many people is subscribing in the same company. The more the subscriber, the more you will be sharing bandwidth, therefore, the slower your internet will be.

Cable internet is also slightly more expensive than DSL internet.

Since a cable internet has a high-speed internet connection, it offers many benefits, whether for personal use or for business.

Cable internet connection can give you the ability to download files and software faster than any other type of internet connection. This means you can share more files faster, like pictures to your friends and family wherever they are.

Another advantage is that you can play online multiplayer games and join small communities in virtual worlds.

With fast internet connection, you can use VoIP internet phones. This technology allows you to call relatives wherever they are in the world for little or no fee. VoIP also has built in features that your traditional phone company considers as additional features and charges expensive fees. Some additional features are the video phone calls, caller ID, call waiting, voice messages, long distance calls, conference calls and more.

With cable internet access, you can now play internet radio smoothly and high audio quality than dial ups can offer. You can also watch video streams like short online movies or music videos in the internet without interruptions in cable internet access.

You can also watch the latest sport events in the internet with this internet connection. Because it is fast, there will be no interruptions while you are watching.

Buying music online will be more convenient and cheaper than buying on your local music stores. All you have to do is go to an online music store and download your favorite music.

Download your favorite movies in the internet. With dial ups, these can take days or even weeks, therefore expensive. With cable internet, you can download full-length movies in a matter of hours.

Businesses can also benefit with cable internet access. Instead of traveling, they can do meetings using video conferencing. This feature can save them many travel expenses by just attending a meeting or product presentation to their clients. They can now easily close deals, therefore, more profit to their business.

Are you a student doing your homework? With cable internet, you no longer have to run to the public library to do all your research, the internet is a huge library itself and can provide you as much information as you want about your research. Since cable internet is fast, you can visit many websites to do your research and finish half the time than by using dial ups.

There are more advantages by using cable internet services. It can benefit your studies, businesses, or you can simply entertain yourself by listening to music, playing online multiplayer games or watch movies.

Communicating to your family and friends are also easier and much more convenient than a dial up internet can provide.

Bob Hett has extensively covered the Internet Service Provider industry as an analyst and has researched the various companies for factors based on price, reliability, support and overall quality. Learn more at Cable Internet Service

With so many choices out there, how do you find what kind of Internet service is right for you? Simple: Choose the fastest, most reliable and most affordable. And that’s Comcast Internet.

Until a few years ago, the standard for Internet access was dialup. Today, that method of connecting to the Internet is no longer favored, as many Internet customers have high-speed access, either cable or DSL. Nearly all businesses and offices with Internet access use broadband of some kind. And Comcast cable Internet is leading the way.

Comcast cable Internet offers broadband service that is faster than most DSL services — about 6 Mbps (”6 Megs”) of download speed — so fast you’ll barely notice anything is happening. (Most DSL services only go as high as 1.5 Mbps.) When Comcast Internet says “high speed Internet,” they mean it!

With Comcast Internet access that fast, you have all the speed you need to watch videos, download songs, play online computer games and take advantage of everything else the Internet has to offer.

But look what else comcast high speed internet

gets you: As a Comcast Internet customer, you’ll have access to exclusive features like Video Mail, PhotoShow, and a variety of music, entertainment, sports and financial news at Comcast.net. The Comcast Internet home page makes you part of a vast community of fellow Comcast Internet users.

Another advantage of Comcast high speed cable Internet is that you have customer service available to you 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If there’s a problem with your cable Internet, there will always be someone on hand to help you solve it. This is important especially to businesses, where a large portion (or sometimes all!) of their business is conducted over the Internet, thus making reliable high speed Internet a necessity.

You can also get Comcast Internet in conjunction with other Comcast services, such as Comcast digital cable. Customers often get a price break if they order a “package” of services — cable Internet and cable TV, for example. Comcast digital cable TV has a digital video recorder (DVR) option that allows you to record your favorite programs digitally and watch them later, at your convenience. With high speed Internet and digital cable with DVR, all your news and entertainment needs are taken care of through Comcast.

Comcast Internet is one of many Internet service providers, yes. But none are used as often, or praised as widely, as Comcast is for its high speed broadband Internet services. When you want to use the Internet, you want to use it quickly, efficiently and without it costing an arm and a leg. Comcast Internet gives you all that and more, making it one of the leaders in today’s broadband Internet marketplace.

Christopher M. Luck has an extensive background in working exclusively with Comcast and is now offering his free personal internet tricks to the public. If you are at all interested in Christopher’s advice, tips, or secrets, you can visit his comcast blog

The Internet is like a cyber library. It is a huge international network of computers with tons and tons of information. The means of accessing the information contained in the Internet varies. The earliest Internet access was the Dial up method.

The Dial-up Internet connection involves an Internet access over a public switch telephone network. With the dial-up connection, users in a neighborhood share the available bandwidth provided by single cable line. The connection speed usually varies depending on how many people are using the service at any particular time.

More advancement in technology gave birth to the Broadband Internet connection option. Broadband is a high-speed transmission. It is used to refer to Internet access, which uses cable modems or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line). Broadband DSL connections are faster and more effective compared to dial-up connections.

The Broadband technology can support a wide range of frequencies. Broadband in general refers to data transmission where multiple pieces of data are sent simultaneously to increase the effective rate of transmission.

The medium through which the broadband technology is based has the ability to transmit multiple pieces of data simultaneously and to carry signals from different network carriers. This is done through fiber-optic cables. The fiber-optic cables are made of thin glass strands and have the capacity of transmitting trillions of bits per second.

The broadband, therefore makes access to the internet faster and more efficient. Because of the high-speed transmission, retrieving information from the internet has become really fast and efficient.

The speed of data transmission over the DSL is measured in Megabytes per second (Mbps). With broadband connection, the threshold frequency varies from one provider to the other. It ranges from 1.5Mbps or as high as 45Mbps with some providers. Although the broadband Internet access option costs more than the conventional Dial-up connection, you will enjoy what you are paying for. The speed and efficiency of connection is something you won’t want to miss. Besides this, most cable companies operating broadband connections would normally allow you the luxury of being online 24/7 and on the phone for a flat monthly rate. You can always plan your budget to accommodate the few extra bucks for this luxury.

The other part of the story is how do you choose a reputable operator out of the multitude out there. When it comes to this, there are several things to consider and compare before making your choice. Of course, you will need to compare prices, that comes up first, but do not forget other factors like, speed of connection, abilities and credibility of the operator, additional features that comes with your purchase and the ease of use of their service. There are Internet companies that will offer additional features like Spam blockers, virus scan and even firewalls. All these should be considered before you make a purchase. Whatever you choice remember that you are spending your hard earned bucks, you deserve the best service, take your time to get the best and enjoy the new era of internet connection via the broadband technology.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Broadband

So far, cable modems have been the obvious head in high-speed Internet access when it comes to cheap, multi-megabit data transfer charges, taking over DSL. Cable’s lead is due to an earlier market admission, according to the account “The DSL Solution: ADSL/SDSL Equipment and Subscribers” by ABI, which established that at the end of 1999, high-speed cable Internet service had 2.1 million US subscribers, while DSL had only 500,000 US users.

But DSL suppliers cannot get out the service fast enough. This is due partly to growing promotions highlighting DSL, some suppliers were seeing 50 to 60 percent development in user rates, and occurring major backlogs in process.

While suburban Internet users in the US are starting to leap on the broadband wagon, numerous US businesses have until now to adapt to high-speed Internet access. The whole number of US Internet-connected companies is proposed to boost drastically in the next three years, shooting from 2.96 million businesses in 2000 to 4.48 million in 2003, according to Vertical Systems Group. During this time, broadband connections will rise by 264 percent, while use of dial access will go down 10 percent.

Amid residential clients, countless issues still exist concerning broadband use. According to a study of 1,000 members of Greenfield Online’s Internet-based board by 2Wire, Inc., 51 percent of people in the US do not know if DSL facility is obtainable in their neighbourhood. Younger users are expected to identify if DSL is accessible in their region compared to elder users, the survey established. More than half (53 percent) of Internet users ages 25 to 34 recognize if DSL is offered locally; in contrast with 37 percent of Internet users age 55 and older. Naturally, the superior the earnings, the more probable respondents were to be conscious of DSL. Sixty-four percent of Internet users earing more than $100,000 per year are aware about local DSL service, in comparison to only 39 percent of Internet users making less than $35,000 per year.

There are more and more services available to us online, that we tend to be oblivious to them. To get the most out of the Internet, we need to be aware of technologies evolving and services offered.

Nick Singh runs a website committed to serving customers in finding the best deals on getting a cheap broadband connection. For a comparison of the best ISP’s go to http://www.cheap-broadband-in-the-uk.com.

Some people use a softphone to access their VOIP service. A softphone is a specially developed software application that loads the VOIP service onto your desktop computer or laptop. Some even have an interface on the screen that looks like a traditional phone. These softphone applications allow you to place VOIP calls from your laptop; anywhere in the world you have access to a broadband connection.

Most traditional phone companies charge you for extra features that are added to your account. With VOIP service providers these usually come as standard. Features such as:

1. Caller ID

2. Call Waiting

3. Call Transfer

4. Repeat Dialling

5. Return Call

6. Three-Way Dialling

Some VOIP service providers also offer advanced call filtering features. These additional features allow you to decide how calls to a specific number are handled by using caller ID information. They allow you to:

1. Forward the call to a particular number

2. Send the call directly to voicemail

3. Give the caller a busy signal

4. Play a “not-in-service” message

Many VOIP services also allow you to check your voicemail over the internet or attach messages to an e-mail that is sent to your computer or PDA. It’s best to check with VOIP phone system suppliers and service operators exactly what features they offer as package and service prices vary greatly.

There are many other cost saving benefits that arise from a streamlined VOIP phone system network. For the network administrators, a VOIP phone system means they only have one network to maintain instead of two. The portability of the phone system is also greatly simplified. This is because most VOIP phone systems can be configured using a web interface, which can be managed by the network administrator. The MAC (move, add, change) process is made much easier, and you will not have to call your system/service provider for every MAC you carry out. All this means lower ongoing costs for your company.

Another cost saving for companies who implement a VOIP system is, because multiple offices, no matter where they are in the world are seamlessly connected, they can share many of the features VOIP can offer, such as:

1. One single receptionist

2. Auto attendant facilities

3. Voice mail system

Thanks for reading, please take the time to rate the article.

Jason

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Jason Morris is co-author, search engine optimization and marketing consultant of Business Phone Systems Direct. Specialists in the supply and installation of business phone systems and accessories.
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A: The fee for internet access will vary from one internet provider to another. Typically, there are two types of access, which includes dialup and broadband. Depending on your needs, there are various benefits to both dialup and broadband high speed internet access.

Q: What is the difference between dialup and broadband high speed internet access?

A: Dialup access is referred to as an internet connection that uses a regular phone line. Typically, the connection speeds will be 56k or less. Broadband high speed internet, on the other hand, uses a variety of connections to produce a faster and more reliable connection. As such, this service is often more expensive than the regular dialup.

Q: How can I find out about high speed internet service or which internet providers are available in my area?

A: The first place to start your search is in the telephone book’s yellow pages. Here, you will find a listing for every internet provider in your area, along with some block ads that even advertise their monthly rates for subscribers. One of the largest internet providers is America Online, which offers a selection of local access numbers. Another terrific way of learning which internet providers are available in your area is to browse through the local newspaper and pay close attention to the advertisements, which often feature ads from internet providers who offer special rates to new customers.

Q: What if I want to subscribe to AOL, but cannot find a local connection number for my area?

A: With America Online being a leader in internet providers, there are a large number of connection numbers available. However, in some smaller areas, there may not be a local access number. If that’s the case, you can gain access through a paid membership with one of your local internet providers and connect to AOL, via a TCP/IP connection, for $9.95 per month. This is called a ‘bring your own service’ plan and is a terrific way to enjoy the convenience of AOL even if you do not have a local access number.

Q: How do I know which internet providers are best or which ones will be most accommodating to my needs?

A: The answer largely depends on how much time you plan to use the internet. If you work at home or are online frequently throughout the day, you will most likely need an unlimited plan. This type of service, which is available through most internet providers, will allow you an unlimited number of hours online in exchange for a fixed monthly subscription cost.

Q: Is high speed internet access available in all areas?

A: The answer to this question is best addressed by one of your local internet providers. High speed internet access is available in most areas, but some rural locations may not offer wireless broadband connections or other technology needed to enjoy the full benefits of high speed internet access. This does not mean that the internet cannot be enjoyed, but rather that it will be enjoyed at a slightly slower rate than those who have high speed internet access.

Find more about computer desktops and multimedia software or read the latest Internet security advices at http://www.internettspeed.com

There are several possible reasons why your Internet connection might suddenly stop working. If you were on dialup, the most likely scenario would be noise on the phone line, but since you have a high-speed cable connection, we can rule that out.

In a recent Ask Bob Rankin article Do Computers Get Tired? I addressed the subject of electronic devices that fail at random times, and gave some scientific basis for occasionally turning the device off and then back on. I have a cable modem as well, and have found that sometimes a slow or dropped Internet connection is restored simply by unplugging the cable modem, waiting 30 seconds and powering it back on. Not pretty, but it works. If the problem is happening every day, though, it might be better to replace the modem.

There could also be a software-related issue which is causing your Internet connection to fail. If you have other computers on a home network, and they have no trouble getting online, then I’d cast a wary glance in the direction of your firewall. Firewalls are designed to block certain Internet connections, so it’s entirely possible that a bug in the firewall software is erroneously shutting down ALL network connections. You may even have told the firewall to do this without meaning to.

Open your firewall’s configuration screen and check to see what programs are being blocked from connecting to the Internet. If nothing obvious appears to be erroneously blocked, try shutting down or uninstalling the firewall software, then reboot and see if the problem persists. If that fixes the problem, consider ditching the software-based firewall, especially if you have a router between your computer and the cable modem. Routers have hardware-based firewalls built in, which makes firewall software superfluous for most users.

To uninstall the firewall software, click on the Start button, open Control Panel, then Add/Remove Programs. Find the firewall in the list and click the Remove button. Note that your firewall may be bundled with an anti-virus of internet security package. If that’s the case, click on that package (ex: eTrust EZ-Armor or Norton Internet Security), and make sure you select ONLY the firewall for removal, leaving the anti-virus protection in place.

If none of those things helps, report the problem to your Internet provider. If the problem has something to do with your modem or the cabling in your neighboorhood, it might be affecting your neighbors as well.

BOB RANKIN… is a tech writer and computer programmer who enjoys exploring the Internet and sharing the fruit of his experience with others. His work has appeared in ComputerWorld, NetGuide, and NY Newsday. Bob is publisher of the Internet TOURBUS newsletter, author of several computer books, and creator of the http://LowfatLinux.com website. Visit Bob Rankin’s website for more helpful articles and free tech support.

Tired of the high phone bills? For some the high costs are because of one or more of the categories mentioned above. This is ‘exactly’ why you should not discount VoIP for your second or third line. Imagine the looks on your teenagers face when you tell them they can get their own phone complete with their own phone number, voice mail and unlimited local and long distance calling! WOW – problem solved. For satellite employees, mentioning to your boss you can cut your existing phone expense will also put a smile on their face. For the home based-business ANY cost savings certainly helps. Now you can make those long distance calls without worrying about the expense.

If you’re putting off VoIP because you cannot use the service ‘exclusively’ you still just might be able to save money every month. Your home office or employee business line or the line for your child can all be easily converted to VoIP.

There are ’some’ providers offering naked DSL so you should first check with your local telephone company. Ask if they provide this service. If not, you can visit our web site as we’ve recently added a couple providers that offer naked DSL. You can find them in our VoIP section.

If your goal is to eliminate your local telephone company all together and you don’t want to wait for naked DSL to become widely available, then perhaps it’s time to consider switching your residential broadband access to cable. If you’re a cable TV subscriber the monthly fee is usually lower than if you were not. In either case, run your own numbers. Take your existing phone bill and add the cost of cable broadband. What’s the total? Now add up the cost of cable broadband and VoIP. Compare the two numbers. Paying a little more for your cable broadband access just might be offset with the cost savings achievable through VoIP. Run the numbers and decide for yourself. For more information on VoIP technology, visit our site, search the net, do whatever it takes to get the information you need to make a more informed decision.

VoIP is a good choice and a good way to save money.

Provided by the FullService Broadband Provider – http://www.fullservice-broadband-provider.com We provide unbiased and informative information on broadband and communication products and services. Our free service is possible through Try Right Technology, Inc. http://www.trighttech.com