Hardware Reference
In-Depth Information
DSL pricing varies widely, with different telephone companies offering different speeds of DSL and
different rates. One thing that's true about the most commonly used flavors of DSL is that they are
usually an asymmetrical service—with download speeds faster than upload speeds. ADSL
installations can typically be run over existing copper wires, whereas SDSL installations usually
require that new high-quality copper wires be installed between the telco's central office (CO) and
the subscriber's location.
There are equipment costs in addition to the monthly fees. AT&T normally includes a DSL modem
that includes a wireless router with the service contract; however, you can purchase or supply your
own if you wish.
Although the standard pricing lists place DSL at a higher monthly cost than dial-up, if you dig deeper
you can find bargain DSL services in many areas. There can be restrictions on these special low-cost
offers, but if you are on a budget and want to get away from dial-up (and who wouldn't?), contact the
DSL providers in your area and ask about the lowest possible rates. To learn more about these low-
cost offers, you can do a search online for “$9.95 DSL” or “$14.95 DSL.”
Wireless Broadband
If cable modem or DSL service isn't available at your location, you still might be able to get
broadband Internet service through a fixed-base wireless broadband Internet provider, also called a
Wireless Internet Service Provider
(WISP). These services use various frequencies of microwave
signals to connect to the Internet. Most of these are based on the same 2.4GHz frequencies 802.11
Wi-Fi connections use. These services typically require a small directional panel antenna to be
mounted at the highest point on your roof and must have a clear line-of-sight view of the transmitter,
which is usually mounted on a tower only a few miles away. Such services are therefore local, so you
generally need to check your area to see whether they are available. Normally, I recommend fixed-
base wireless only if cable modem or DSL service is unavailable, but I'd place it as a better overall
choice than satellite service. In general, the initial equipment fees are less than satellite and the
signals are more immune to weather problems. To find a WISP in your area, start with the Wireless
Internet Service Providers Association (WISPA) at
www.wispa.org
and
www.wispdirectory.com/
.
Cellular Broadband 3G and 4G Services
Cell phone providers also offer high-speed Internet access through the cellular network. This is
usually in the form of a wireless router, hotspot, or dedicated USB stick device, as well as
ExpressCard or mini PCI Express cards for laptop systems.
Whereas most cellular broadband connections are made with a dedicated cellular modem, in many
cases you can also connect through your existing cell phone by attaching the phone to the system via
USB or Bluetooth (called
tethering
) and then using the phone as a high-speed modem connection.
Some phones only allow tethering via USB, whereas others support both USB and Bluetooth. For
example, using my laptop, I can link to the cell phone in my pocket via Bluetooth and then instruct the
cell phone to connect to the Internet, in essence creating a double-wireless connection.
3G Mobile Broadband Service
The connection speeds available depend on the carrier and services offered, but so-called 3G (Third
Generation) technologies offer speeds in the 400Kbps-700Kbps range. Although this is quite a bit
less than the 11MBps provided by the most basic Wi-Fi hotspots, this type of service is available
anywhere you can get a cell phone signal. Note that connections via a tethered cell phone are
