How Cable Internet Works
Author: R Shah

Cable Internet is delivered in high bandwidth broadband to
your residence via your cable television line. It provides
a high speed Internet connection and is frequently known as
an Internet service that is "always on" because as long as
your computer is on, you will have an immediate Internet
connection by simply clicking your browser.

Your cable provider will install what is called a cable
modem which is connected to your computer and to your cable
television wall jack. The cable modem is the main provider
of your broadband Internet service as well as the coaxial
cable that provides your television service. Obtaining
high speed Internet access over the coaxial cable will not
interfere with the use of your television service after
installation of a splitter. You will be able to surf the
Internet and watch television at the same time.

Cable Internet offers a broadband connection at a monthly
fee that will run anywhere from $35-$45 with one-time
installation fees running anywhere from fifty to
one-hundred fifty dollars. The monthly fee includes the
rental of your cable modem, unlimited Internet access,
Ethernet card, and any application software. It is also
possible to buy your own cable modem instead of opting to
rent the modem from the cable company. If you choose to do
this, make sure the cable modem you purchase is compatible
with the cable company network.

A really neat feature of cable internet service is that you
can also enjoy VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol). This
is a broadband telephone technology that allows you to use
your Internet connection to make telephone calls instead of
your regular telephone line. It is used in the same manner
as your telephone and the call recipient does not have to
have this service to participate in your call.

Cable companies use two kinds of systems which are coaxial
and fiber optic. Coaxial cables are the older form and
fiber optic is the newest form. The problem with coaxial
cables is that they cannot transmit signals upstream so
generally a telephone line is used to accomplish this task.
Fiber optic can support data transmission both upstream
and downstream and therefore works more efficiently.

Be aware that if you choose to go with a cable Internet
connection you will not be able to choose your Internet
Service Provider (ISP). Most cable companies like Time
Warner only work with one provider and are not interested
in leasing the lines to local Internet Service Provider's.
This has long been a controversy that often ended up in
litigious actions from local service providers.

Cable Internet still remains the most popular form of
broadband Internet. It has taken cable companies longer to
provide Internet access due to the fact that the cables
were originally designed to transmit signals and not data.
This required the cable companies to change the equipment
both on the company and the subscriber end.

Until there were industry standards for equipment this was
an insurmountable task. As equipment standards were
established, manufacturing was able to increase which
resulted in reduced costs for the equipment needed to
produce a broadband Internet connection.


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To learn more about Cable Internet visit:
http://internet-access-guide.com/category/cable-internet/