Types of Internet Connections

Internet:
Computers are the supreme contributors for today's world in terms of business, commerce and entertainment. And the need for Internet and networking has become inevitable. Every organization, industries and even homes needs internet. This blog talks about various types of internet connection and their pros and cons.

Different Ways to Access Internet:
1. DSL(Digital Subscriber Line) - Telephone Line Connection

2. ISDN(Integrated Services Digital Network) - Upgraded Telephone Line Connection
3. DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Specification) - Coaxial Cable Connection
4. FiberOptic Connection
5. WirelessBroadband Connection
6. MobilePhone Internet Connection
7. SatelliteInternet Connection
8. Dial-upConnection (Mobile Phone Internet for Desktop)
9. Powerline Broadband

DSL

In this method, data is transferred in telephone lines that are meant for voice communication. By using different frequencies, the telephone companies managed to transfer voice and data simultaneously in the same telephone line. ADSL (Asynchronous DSL) is an upgraded DSL method for high download and upload speeds. DSL modems are used at the connection end to extract the internet data from the telephone line.

Pros:

Secure and Independent Connection - Each subscriber of DSL connection is individually configured with unique telephone line which paves way for secure connection.

Easy to Integrate - DSL can be easily integrated with WAN, ATM and Nx64 technologies.

Bandwidth - DSL internet connection are capable of providing high bandwidth of data.

Cons:

Either Voice or Data - While making voice calls, it is not possible to access internet data in DSL.
Limited to Availability - DSL connections are not available in most of rural areas.
Conflicting Technologies - Different DSL connection uses different technologies. There are no specific standards followed for DSL Technologies.

ISDN

It is an upgraded DSL connection which allows faster internet access along with regular voice communication. It eliminated the drawback in DSL connection by allowing voice calls and internet access at the same time. One can surf the internet while making a phone call in the same ISDN telephone line.

Pros:
Multiple Channels - The user can be facilitated with more than one digital channel in ISDN connection.
Data Rate - ISDN supports high data rates and flawless connectivity than DSL technology.
Connection to Multiple Devices - Same ISDN connection can be used to connect with computer, cash registers, fax machines, credit card and debit card readers.
Quick Launch - ISDN modem launches the connection in less than 2 seconds.

Cons:
Costlier - ISDN connection is costlier when compared to standard DSL connection.
Specialized Digital Devices - ISDN connection involves specialized digital devices to establish the connection.

DOCSIS

Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) is an international standard for telecommunication that enables high-bandwidth data transfer through a coaxial cable efficiently.

Pros:
Speed -DOCSIS satisfies the speed thirst prevailing among internet users effectively.
Bandwidth - Recent DOCSIS is capable of facilitating 160 MBPS downstream bandwidth and 120 MBPS efficiently.

Cons:
Clogging - The time shared bandwidth of DOCSIS can be clogged with connections.
Security - Experts criticize that DOCSIS has security flaws.

Fiber Optic Connection

Data transfer at the speed of light through a flexible fiber glass cable is the magic behind Fiber Optic Connection. A transmitter used in Fiber Optic communication converts the electrical signals to light signals which can travel to glass fiber to the receiving end. The light signals are converted to electrical signals at the receiver end.

Pros:
Lightning Fast Speed - Transferring data as light waves is 100 times faster than the electrical waves.
Download Speed - Fiber Optic Connection supports up to 1 GBPS download speed.

Cons:
Expensive - Establishing Fiber Optic Connection is very expensive when compared to any other technology.
Difficult to Install - The Installation of Fiber Optic Connection involves in-depth knowledge and high tech precise equipment.

Wireless Broadband Connection

ISP (Internet Service Providers) uses a wireless medium (radio waves) to broadcast the internet service to the connected nodes. Your device will have antenna and modem to communicate with ISP.

Pros:
Good for Rural Areas- Line of Sight connection can be established with the ISP even in many rural areas.
No Physical Damage to Medium- Unlike wired medium, there is any possibilities of physical damages in wireless medium.

Cons:
Signal Loss - If the device antennae and the ISP antennae did not have clear Line-of-Sight then the communication will be disturbed.
Slower Speed than Wireless Connection - The internet speed through wireless broadband is slower than the wired broadband connections.

Mobile Wireless Internet Connection

This type of connection is known as mobile wireless broadband connection used for providing internet services to mobile phones, USB data cards or PC cards. Over the years, new technologies such as 2G, 3G, 4G and LTE (Long Term Evolution) have evolved to provide flawless and high speed internet services.

Pros:
Available Everywhere - Being available everywhere, mobile wireless broadband is the most used internet connection around the world.
Reliable Technology - Advanced Technologies like LTE allows users to experience up to 15 MBPS internet speed seamlessly.

Cons:
Network Problem in Rural - Mobile Wireless Broadband is not greatly accessible in rural areas.
Expensive - Mobile Wireless Broadband are costlier than DSL or any wired internet except Fiber Optic.

Satellite Internet Connection

With a help of satellite dish the internet signals can be received with a line of sight (LOS) establishment. The signals are sent from service provider to Satellite and reflected from satellite to dish antennae.

Pros:

Installed Anywhere - Irrespective of the location, satellite communication can be established with Line of Sight activation.

Cons:
Attenuation - As the signal travels nearly 45,000 mile, it becomes weak and results in attenuation.
Difficult to install - Need a expert professional to Install.

Dial-up Connection

This is a time being connection established between the computer and mobile phone or mobile device to utilize the mobile device internet on the PC. The internet from the mobile can be accessed by just dialing the phone number of the device.

Pros:
Existing Connection – Establishing a new internet connection with ISP is not required in Dial-up connection.
Take Anywhere - You can access internet using dial-up connection from anywhere using your mobile phone.

Cons:
Slow Internet - Speed of internet using dial up connection is much slower than any other connection.

Power-line Broadband

This idea has failed drastically in gaining significance. Power-line Broadband connection invented before a decade and it is similar to telephone line or cable internet connection. The idea is to transfer the data signals through electrical lines. The main reason for failure is that the power line systems differ from place to place.

Pros:

Cost Effective - Since power-lines are found everywhere, the cost of establishment is very low.

Cons:

Slow Connection - The internet speed of power-line connection is very slow.

Unreliable - Since the power-line systems differ from place to place it is very difficult to trust.

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