Broadband Connections – Various Types

Broadband is a recent method of getting internet access with greater speed. Now a day broadband internet access has been obtained from distinct technologies. You have to select an appropriate technology of broadband after considering certain factors like:

• location whether it is rural or suburban
• availability
• Package of other services etc.

This article will offer details regarding the different technologies of broadband internet access. Some of the vital transmission technologies of broadband have been listed as:

• DSL – Digital Subscriber Line

This technology uses traditional copper standard telephone lines for transmitting the data with reasonable speed. The speed of this technology starts from several hundred kilo bits per second. You can get the speed up to millions of bits per second.

• Cable Modem

In this technology, the service providers have to use coaxial cables. These types of cables are essential for delivering pictures as well as audios not only to your PC but also for your television set. These cable technologies offer you the data transmission speed up to 1.5 Mega bits per second.

• Fibre

It is the latest technology for obtaining the service of broadband connection. This technology uses electrical signals for the transmission of data. Here electrical signals are first converted to light. The light is carried with the support of glass fibres which is very transparent.

• Wireless

A radio link is used in this wireless technology to transmit data. Mobile is a perfect example for getting wire free internet access. This wireless broadband access is mostly used in all hot spots like airports, bookstores, city parks etc. You can get the minimum accessing speed up to 54 mega bits per second.

• Satellite

This technology can be considered as another form of wireless technology. The speed of upstream and downstream may get influenced by several factors like weather, the service provider etc.

• Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

With the support of electric power distribution network BPL technology offers broadband access to your PC. It is a quickly emerging technology. Very limited numbers of people have been used this technology at present. More power lines have been installed recently to minimize the need of new broadband facilities to each one.

These are all the distinct technologies used to get broadband internet connection.

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Comparing Five Cheap Broadband Deals

Comparing Five Cheap Broadband Deals

Shopping around for a cheap broadband deal always makes good sense. But the reality is that that every cheap broadband deal will have its pros and cons.

While you may get the great benefits of one aspect, you may find disappointment in another. Therefore, when choosing a broadband provider, you must make sure it is one that suits your needs.

The following five broadband providers offer some cheap broadband deals:

TalkTalk

Plusnet

Virgin

Pipex

AOL

TalkTalk broadband monthly cost = Free with TalkTalk 2 call plan (£16.39)

Advantages:

Max Speed 8Mbit/s

Download Cap 40GB per month

Modem Free

Disadvantages:

Contract 18 months

Wireless Router £20

Connection Fee £29.99

Plusnet broadband monthly cost = £9.99

Advantages:

Max Speed 8Mbit/s

Modem Free

Webspace 250MB

Email addresses Unlimited

Connection Fee Free

Contract No minimum length

Disadvantages:

Download Cap 1GB per month

Line Rental Not included

Virgin broadband monthly cost = £10

Advantages:

Max Speed 8Mbit/s

Download Cap Unlimited

Modem Free

Connection Fee Free

Disadvantages:

Contract 12 months

Wireless Router £40

Line Rental Not included

Pipex broadband monthly cost = £8.95 for 1st three months. £14.99 thereafter

Advantages:

Max Speed 8Mbit/s

Wireless Router Free

Connection Fee Free

Anti Virus/Firewall Free for 1 year

Disadvantages:

Contract 12 months

Line Rental Not included

Download Cap 2 GB per month

AOL broadband monthly cost = £9.99 for 1st six months. £14.99 thereafter

Advantages

Max Speed 8Mbit/s

Download Cap 10 GB

Wireless Router Free

Web Space 150 MB

Connection Fee Free

Disadvantages

Line Rental Not included

Contract 18 months

Apple Mac Not compatible

One thing you must remember when choosing your broadband provider is that they all offers speeds of up to 8Mbit/s. However, the 8Mbit/s speed is only likely be achieved in the most ideal conditions, as technical factors – such as your computer’s distance from the exchange or how many people are accessing the internet at the same time – may slow things down.

Download caps are very important too: whether you are a light user or a hardcore online gamer, you must consider this aspect to avoid extra unnecessary charges.

Remember that sometimes cheap broadband isn’t always the best solution for everyone. You may need to pay that little bit extra to save yourself money in the long run.

At the end of the day there are enough cheap broadband deals to suit almost everyone, it’s just a matter of comparing – both price and the quality of service you receive.

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Technorati Tags: broadband, Cheap, Comparing, Deals, Five

Broadband Safety

You may be one of the thousands of people that upgraded their broadband connection to wireless which lets you access the web anywhere in the home, but are you leaving yourself open to fraud?

Around 5m households now have wireless – or “Wi-Fi” – internet access. However, about half of these have not protected their connection.

Neighbours could easily log in and piggy-back on your internet access leaving them bill free; this is a very common case if you live in an apartment block or flat. Hackers can also access files and spy on the websites you have used. More worryingly they can work out when you are on your holiday if you have booked online, leaving your home and your possessions at risk. A hacker with the right software and know-how can access your online bank account and potentially uncover your password, cleaning you out of all your funds.

Once they have stolen your identity there is no saying what they will do. As if it’s not enough to have emptied your bank accounts, they can also apply for credit cards plummeting you into debt and sometimes blacklisting you. Fraudsters have been known to purchase things as large as plasma TVs, game consoles and luxury holidays.

It’s alarmingly simple for fraudsters to hack into your life and steal your identity as they can purchase software that identifies homes with unprotected wireless connections. They no longer have to trawl streets at random with their equipment to find vulnerable homes.

Surprisingly, it is not difficult to protect your internet connection. Most broadband providers, including Orange, BT, AOL and Sky, issue wireless modems that are already secured or “locked”.

The problem often occurs when a wireless router is bought from a manufacturer or a retailer; because you have to secure it manually, you can easily miss out a step in the process. The easy option is to go for the modem from your broadband provider, although they are not all free with broadband deals.

Comparison sites are a great way to compare broadband services from the comfort of your chair; they will inform you of the best broadband deals in your area as well as speed test them. Some can even offer an expert’s view.

Technorati Tags: broadband, Safety

Reliance Netconnect Broadband Plus ? Brings Hi-speed Wireless Broadband Service

Reliance communication has recently introduced the Hi-speed Wireless Broadband Service i.e. Reliance Netconnect Broadband Plus. This CDMA broadband service is the fastest Internet service of India as it claims. This broadband service gives a downlink speed of up to 3.1 Mbps and a separate uplink speed of up to 1.8 Mbps. It offers about 30 percent higher downlink rate as compared to any other wireless broadband service such as BSNL, Airtel etc.

The Reliance Netconnect Broadband Plus is perfect for rich media or heavy applications for e.g. video streaming, video surveillance, rich media content and superior Internet browsing. Mr. Mahesh Prasad, the president of Reliance Communications said,” The launch of Netconnect Broadband Plus is an important milestone for Reliance and will act as a catalyst in the government’s effort to drive broadband penetration in India. Reliance Netconnect Broadband Plus will be the inflection point for the Indian Internet industry and would enable broadband access to millions of online Indians.” It is also launched in two Plug and Play USB device variants. This product is compatible with laptops and desktops.

Reliance communications has also established a pan-India, next generation, convergent (voice, data and video) digital network. The convergent digital network is capable of supporting best-of-class services that spans the entire communications value chain which covers more than 20,000 towns and 4,50,000 villages in India. This company also operates the world’s largest next generation IP enabled connectivity infrastructure that comprises over 1, 75,000 kilometers of fibre optic cable systems in India, Europe, USA, Middle East and the Asia Pacific region.

The Reliance Netconnect Broadband Plus is available in 35 cities. One can access hi-speed Internet with a superior quality network across 20,000 towns and 4.5 lacs villages in India. If a customer opts for an unlimited plan, he will have cap of 50 GB of data usage. This capping usage in an ultimate plan is a global practice. The tariff plans of this broadband service are very reasonable. So an individual can afford this service and can browse the Internet at the very hi-speed. Thus, it comes equipped with very salient features.

Technorati Tags: Brings, broadband, Hispeed, Netconnect, Plus, reliance, Service, Wireless

Broadband Online Gaming

Visit exotic new places and exciting new people from around the world! Welcome to the world of online console gaming.

Gone are the days of only being able to pit your racing, fighting or shooting skills against the artificial intelligence of the game, or the skills of your close friends. Nowadays, broadband can offer you the opportunity to compete with other players around the world, chat with your allies and enemies, and even see your name on high score tables worldwide. Also a great feature allowing you to download extra levels and other content for your favourite games, or even entirely new games.

Xbox live, PlayStation and Nintendo Wii all offer tremendous online facilities for console owners, and broadband supports all three.

Setting up broadband couldn’t be easier.

There is several ways that your consoles can be set up to broadband internet. Many consoles have a wireless kit, where you can setup your online gaming wirelessly, for example: You have your

phone socket, with a filter plugged in, so you can have your home phone and also a wireless router plugged in at the same time. With your games console you will have a wireless games adapter or this will be built in the console, so your broadband signal goes from your wireless router to your games console without the need for wires. If you don’t have a wireless starter kit, these can be purchased at high street and online electronics or games shops.

Choose your broadband provider to enable you to play online games and compete to be world champion of your favourite games.

Technorati Tags: broadband, Gaming, Online

Broadband Connections – Part 1 (types of Broadband Connections)

There are only a few different types of broadband connections. And it’s usually not hard to choose which type of broadband connections to go for – your choice will probably depend mostly on where you live. Most people will choose a broadband connection depending on cost or speed, and what Broadband Provider offers are available.

The majority of the U.K, who have broadband, has chosen an ADSL connection for Broadband as it’s widely available and easy to set up. Cable might be another option if it’s available in your area. Which begs the question: ADSL or Cable? The reality is, one isn’t better than another and it really depends more on where you live and how good the supplier is. So, your choice will probably be based on the deal offered and what the broadband provider provides with there service.

The main types of broadband Internet connection are:

ADSL – Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line

ADSL coverage is available to the majority of the UK population. As such, it is the most likely choice unless you happen to live somewhere remote, or in an area where cable is available.

ADSL broadband is received through your existing BT telephone line, using a special modem or router. There is no need to have an additional telephone line installed and you will still be able to make and receive calls whilst surfing the web. Although you must have a BT telephone line, there are many ADSL broadband providers to choose from, each offering a selection of different deals.

When you have an ADSL connection it is necessary to fit small devices called microfilters to all your telephone sockets. You need to plug them in to prevent the ADSL signal from interfering with your voice calls. Typically your ISP will provide you one or two microfilters and, if you need any more they only cost a few pounds.

Cable

If you already have cable TV, or if you live in an area served by a cable operator, then a broadband cable Internet connection may be an option for you. A cable Internet connection requires a special modem, which is connected to your cable along with your cable TV box (if you have one). Most cable companies offer packages that include telephone and TV channels as well as a broadband Internet connection.

As with ADSL, cable Internet providers usually offer several types of broadband deals for different requirements.

Wireless

In some of the more remote or rural areas of the UK, ADSL and Cable Internet connections may not be available. Increasingly in these areas, smaller broadband providers are providing local coverage using wireless technology.

For a wireless broadband connection, a small antenna is installed on the outside of your house, like a TV aerial, and this sends signals to a connection point on the inside, which is connected to your computer. No telephone line of any kind is required. Another option is buying a wireless router.

Satellite

Satellite is generally seen as a last resort for people who live in remote areas and cannot receive any other form of broadband Internet. It is available throughout the UK and requires the installation of a special satellite dish.

There are two types of satellite connection.

The first type is a one-way connection, where you will be able to receive data (view web pages), but can only send data (if for example you want to send an email) by using a dial-up modem through a telephone line.

Two-way services, where data is both sent and received through the satellite dish, are also available, although these tend to be quite expensive to install – with an additional monthly subscription.

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Mobile Broadband: Advantages and Disadvantages

Wireless is the new kid on the block that seems set for greatness. How could it not be, after all, when it offers various degrees of freedom that previously simply did not exist? By avoiding the clutter of wires, and allowing portable notebooks to truly be as portable as they should, wireless technology has found a place in the hearts of even the most jaded computer users.

Mobile broadband is an extension of this newfound freedom. By offering high-speed, broadband, internet access of a wireless nature through portable modems, telephones or other custom devices, it allows, again, for more freedom. Unfortunately this freedom comes with disadvantages too.

Two major advantages of mobile broadband

Firstly, mobile broadband offers unprecedented levels of convenience as far as broadband internet is concerned. All that is needed is the modem, and internet access is readily available, in theory anyway. If coverage is good enough, it would be completely possible to use mobile broadband overseas from any computer terminal you happen to pass by.

Secondly, the complete lack of need for a landline makes for further flexibility. Whether at home, work, or the park, a land line is completely unnecessary. This translates into even less cables dangling around, and even greater portability.

Two major disadvantages of mobile broadband

Firstly, rather unfortunately, the range of reception for most mobile broadband networks seems to be decidedly limited for now. Sometimes the bad reception exists in ‘pockets’ here and there from which connecting to the broadband internet is not possible, but at other times it can be entire areas that are simply not covered. Also worrisome is the fact that when there is a high concentration of users in a particular area utilizing the mobile broadband, it can cause a general slowdown in service.

Secondly, the bandwidth available to mobile broadband customers is generally much smaller than their more conventional cousins. Although this particular limitation would go unnoticed to most casual users, heavier internet users would find it stifling to their activities. Some current mobile broadband providers charge on a per-MB usage basis and this too can end up being costly unless the broadband is used sparingly.

As a verdict, mobile broadband has a vast potential that can be tapped into and taken advantage of, however it remains very much limited as of yet. That said, it should be noted that the same was said of wireless networks at one point in time, not so very long ago, and as such never underestimate what tomorrow may bring.

For the casual user that values mobility and convenience over speed and consistency, mobile broadband is still a pretty attractive option. However for heavy internet users, and others that simply cannot, or do not, wish to handle the reception problems or bandwidth limitations, it may be unwise to sign up to this particular option just yet. Once the kinks are worked out of the execution, mobile broadband really will come into its own as the preferred form of internet access.

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Technorati Tags: Advantages, broadband, Disadvantages, Mobile

Broadband Goes Down the Sewers

The University of Aberdeen has a long and proud history. Founded in 1495, it is the fifth-oldest university in the UK and claims to be in the forefront of teaching and research in medicine, the humanities and sciences.

But as from September 2007, there is another reason for the University of Aberdeen to be proud: its sewage system. The university has invested in improving the broadband availability to its 13,000 students, using underground sewage pipes to carry all the necessary cables.

Before the new service was launched, a microwave link between the main campus and the student village was used to provide wireless broadband to the students living there.

However, the presence of rapidly growing trees in the area affected wireless signals. This led the university to opt for a hard-wired connection and chose H20 Network’s underground sewage system, which consisted of laying dark fibre optic cables in the sewage pipes.

This project began in June and finished in time for the students arriving back to their studies. With the 1GB sewer-enabled connection, the university will offer its own wireless broadband service to 1,700 students in the Hillhead village.

The broadband connection will be free to the point of delivery and the cost embedded in the rent. Mainstream broadband providers will not be allowed to install their own connection, which means the university will have its own network. Bandwidth will be monitored by the university to prevent students from overloading the network.

The sewage broadband project has been running in conjunction with another project to provide wireless broadband access across the university’s two campuses, using technology from wireless network specialists Trapeze. In total, across the campus and halls of residence, there will be 1,000 wireless access points.

Laptops are a lot more affordable now with around 80% of students now having access to one; therefore the investment looks to become a success. The sewage broadband infrastructure seems to be catching, with Bournemouth already laying 1,400 metres of fibre optics and Bath University looking to follow suit.

Have you seen all of the commercials where someone is using their broadband wireless card in odd places? Do you think you can use a wireless connection instead of a hard-lined one (DSL, cable)? This review tackles that question and specifically looks at the Cricket Wireless Broadband Service.

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Technorati Tags: broadband, Down, Goes, Sewers

Buying A Broadband Phone

Voice over internet protocol or VoIP, the breakthrough technology that allows people to make broadband phone calls possible is now being geared up to take over the future of internet communication and people connectivity. More and more companies are seeing the potential of this new technology and have started to plunge onto the bandwagon and offer broadband phone services to people all around the world.

The popularity can be attributed in part to the ease of use of these phones. The phones actually work like a normal landline or mobile. When the phone rings, you pick it up as you would any other phone. The advantage lies in the savings you make on your call costs. Because these phones run thru your internet or broadband line you normally get minimal line rental if any and cheaper national and international call rates.

There are several things to consider though before getting a broadband phone. Most broadband phone systems have no complicated switches or plugs or voice converters. These are all usually integrated into the system. A phone bundle would have hardware and software coming with it. Hardware for broadband phones systems use an adapter to make your old landline phone unit useable for the system.

The hardware is connected to a router that is found in your network or through the USB 2.0 port in your computer. Usually, hardware connected via a router use the ethernet connection thru a plug and play installation. The software is simply a bridge between your computer and the hardware.

Broadband phones or IP phones use a technology called voice over internet protocol or commonly termed VoIP. This is simply a way to transmit voice data signals thru the internet rather than thru your normal telephone copper line. The systems converts your analog voice signal into digital packets and converts it back into analog signals as they reach the receiving phone on the other end. This happens whether you are connecting to a landline number or a mobile phone.

Since there is a fair amount to data conversion happening in the background what you will need is a high speed internet connection. The faster your internet connection, the better.

Keep in mind that broadband connections normally pass thru checkpoints called nodes. When these checkpoints are overloaded or choked this would affect the quality of your phone connection. Having a good quality internet provider helps in this situation.

With a high quality internet provider and easy installation there should be no reason not to enjoy cheaper call rates thru broadband phones.

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Technorati Tags: broadband, Buying, Phone

What Is A Broadband Router?

A broadband router is a basic device to set up a wired or wireless network. Broadband routers ensure that all the computers on a network can send and receive data to each other and across the Internet. These routers are of both wired and wireless but their features are very similar.

A router actually transfers data packets along networks. It requires at least two networks for a router to connect, commonly it connects two LANs or WANs or a LAN and its ISP’s network. As a connecter device, routers are positioned at gateways, where two or more networks are connected.

Key Role of Broadband Routers

Routers enable sharing your broadband internet among computers or laptops in your office or home network. It directs data to travel along the computers on your network and out over the internet to distant computers and to networks located elsewhere.

Routers are first to face any possible outside viruses, hacking threats and so they are vital in a network. But most internet user may not know this, practiced using anti-virus softwares only. A router safeguards your network by working as a filter between the outside internet world and your computers. In general, broadband modems don’t usually have sophisticated built-in security features, so having a network without a router can leave the door open to hackers and other online threatens. Using a router with an in-built firewall makes your wired or wireless network safer and secure, without being vulnerable for internet threats.

Broadband Router Categories

If broadband is classified into two types in major then the routers also has to be of two types. ADSL modem routers for ADSL broadband users and cable routers for cable broadband users are that two.

Both type of broadband router perform the same function of being an interface between your network and the internet and enabling you to share your internet connection among other computers. The main dissimilarity between these two broadband routers is the way in which they connect to the internet.

Actually, ADSL broadband is accomplished by upgrading your existing telephone line for high-speed internet services. Here ADSL modem routers work by just plugging directly into the upgraded telephone line and thus avoids the need of a separate modem. Once connected, the ADSL modem router is automatically able to share the broadband internet with all the computers in your network.

Cable broadband users connect to the internet via cable modem that is plugged into the cable socket. Cable routers work by plugging it into the provided cable modem’s in-built networking port. This is also known as Ethernet port or RJ-45 connection and you need this to share your cable internet with in your network. Once connected to the modem, which in turn is connected to the cable socket, the cable router shares the broadband internet with all the computers in your network.

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