How We Connect

 “Broadband” is the bandwidth used for high capacity transmissions. Specialized high-speed devices and microcomputers with DSL, cable and satellite connections use this bandwidth.

“Connectivity” is a concept related to using computer networks to link people and resources. You can connect your microcomputer by telephone or other telecommunications links to other computers and information sources almost anywhere. With this connection, you are linked to the world of larger computers and the Internet.

In the past, wired devices were required to be able to connect to the Internet. In the last five years, there has been a dramatic change in connectivity. Today, there is widespread use of mobile and wireless communication devices for gaining access to the Internet. This is just the beginning of the “Wireless Revolution” which will change the way we communicate and use computer technology in a big way.

An “Internet Service Provider” is a company that provides access to the Internet for a monthly fee. The service provider gives you a software package, username, password and access phone number. The providers are already connected to the Internet and provide a path or connection for individuals to access the Internet. Colleges and universities mostly provide free access to students. Some companies also offer free Internet access.

“National Internet Service Providers” are providers who operate primarily on a National level. They are basically large telecom companies that have nationwide coverage and operations. They provide access through standard telephone lines or cable connections.

“Wireless service providers” do not use telephone or cable lines. They provide Internet connections with wireless modems and other wireless devices.

If a computer is part of a local area network (LAN) that has connectivity to the Internet, you can access the Internet through the LAN.

Using a telephone, you can connect your Personal Computer (PC) to the Internet. To do so, you need a device called the “Modem”. Using the modem and dialer software, the PC connects to the server of an Internet Service Provider (ISP). This is how the PC establishes a connection to the Internet through an ISP.

You can also connect to the Internet using a leased line. In this method, the data transmission rate is much higher. Besides these, there are also other options for connecting to the Internet. Examples are DSL, Cable Modem, Set Top Boxes and other propriety solutions.