For those that live in remote areas, obtaining high-speed Internet access can be quite difficult. Cable access is almost unheard of in rural areas. Digital Subscriber Loop access, also know as Digital Subscriber Line or DSL, is available but the service can be unreliable depending on how far away from the central office you are. Using a Dial-up service provider still remains the predominant method of connecting to the Web and at best it is very slow. The only other option, which is becoming more and more popular, is satellite Internet access.
This is the perfect solution for those that live in less populated areas and have no other way of obtaining broadband (high speed) access. The service provider has a central location that acts as the middleman between the customer and a satellite that orbits Earth. When data is downloaded, it is transmitted from the satellite to the central location and then forwarded to the customers receiver. Then it is routed through the modem to where the customer can gain access to it. The process for uploading data is slightly different. It has to be routed through a dial-up modem first and then through the receiver. It then goes to the central location where it is forwarded to the satellite.
There are several drawbacks to this type of service. One major drawback is that it does have a tendency to be unreliable. Even though this problem is not nearly as bad as it used to be, some users still experience connectivity issues during heavy wind, fog and rain. You may also experience network latency issues that could significantly slow down your connection. For this reason, it may not be conducive to playing interactive online games. Also, the overall cost is higher than it would be for dial-up, cable, or DSL. For the service alone, one can expect to pay anywhere from $59 a month to $199 a month. That does not include the initial cost of the equipment, such as the satellite dish and modem.
While dial-up Internet access may have several drawbacks, so too does satellite access. Even though it does connect at a faster speed, its performance remains an ongoing issue. Ultimately, it is up to the consumer to weigh the pros and cons and then decide if it is the right solution for them.
By: Tina Porter
Archive for the ‘Articles’ category
Satellite Internet Access – The Pros And Cons
April 30th, 2010High Speed Internet – DSL Advantages & Disadvantages
April 29th, 2010
High Speed Internet Advantages
DSL is just one of many ways to connect to the net. There are many advantages DSL has to offer other forms of Internet connection. One of the most obvious advantages is DSL offers a fast connection. Rather than wait hours for a document to download using dial up, with DSL you can download large files in just minutes. Here are some other advantages DSL has to offer high speed Internet fans:
DSL allows you to use an open Internet connection and use your telephone line for phone calls at the same time.
DSL speed is typically a lot faster than a traditional modem and doesn’t require new wiring. In fact you can usually use the phone line you already have installed in your home to get DSL up and running.
Most companies provide you with a DSL modem during installation as part of the DSL package.
If you own your own business you’ll be able to upload and download large files much faster using a DSL connection.
Disadvantages of DSL
Of course, there are disadvantages to anything as is the case with DSL. While most users consider these disadvantages minor they are nonetheless worthy of note:
The closer you are to the central office of the DSL provider the better your connection will work. Thus if you are located far away you may have more trouble connecting using your DSL line.
Typically connection speeds are faster when receiving information and data than when sending data using a DSL connection.
By: Frank Owen
