Dial-up service is forever linked to the success of the Internet
Dial-up Internet service was the pioneer in World Wide Web connections. Without dial-up service, the Internet might still be a wonderful but underused phenomenon, accessed only by the military, education, and scientific communities. Dial-up service opened up the Internet to a worldwide population of users.
In addition to giving access to an almost infinite volume of information, dial-up service and the Internet, to a large degree, changed the way commerce is conducted and communication is accomplished. Dial-up capability provided the vehicle to allow every home and business to access the amazing power of the Internet.
Using rather simple and low cost modems (acronym for modulation/demodulation devices) and analog telephone lines, dial-up Internet service opened up the World Wide Web to the universe.
The introduction of the much faster broadband Internet service, offered primarily by DSL, Cable, and Satellite, has made dial-up connections an antique way to access the 'Net. But, for those who have been accessing the Internet from the early years, the late 1980's, dial-up service will be remembered fondly.
Why dial-up is slower than broadband
Dial-up modem service had been used extensively for fax transmissions for years before the emergence of the Internet. Using analog telephone lines, faxes were transmitted around the world using a form of dial-up service. Although subject to electromechanical interference, signal degradation, and dropped connection tendencies, dial-up Internet service worked fairly well with the relatively uncomplicated graphics, file sizes, and operating system software – do you remember DOS? – for years.
As the Internet exploded with more information, e-commerce websites, reference data, and incredible graphics, downloading massive amounts of information quickly, increased security for purchase of goods and online banking, and complex construction of pictures, faster service was needed.
Combine Internet offerings with the huge memory requirements of newer operating systems, like Windows, and, along with much faster computer chips, speedier transmission capabilities had to be created.
Enter broadband Internet service, which is often ten to 100 times faster transmitting data than the even the fastest dial-up Internet service providers.
Analog telephone lines were simply too slow (with little or no ability to increase speed), not to mention the sometimes annoying fact that you couldn't use your telephone when you were online. The relatively inexpensive monthly cost for a dial-up connection increased dramatically if you installed a second phone line for Internet access.
Cable TV companies, using coaxial cable, and telephone companies, using high-speed DSL lines, deliver much faster transmission speeds, offer an Internet connection that is "always on", and keep your telephone free for calls.
The nature of these communication lines allows for high compression of data (allowing more information to be transmitted simultaneously) with electromagnetic pulse speed, much faster than any analog telephone cable. Even their speed can now be surpassed by other transmission lines (fiber optic cable, T-1 lines, etc.).
When dial-up is still useful
While most former dial-up users consider this Internet service ancient, there are still some situations that maintain its usefulness. It's rather hard to believe, but 20% to 25% of U.S. households still do not have even one computer, and most of those people have stated they have no plans to ever install one. Along with those that are still are without an Internet connection at home, there remain many users who are strictly "casual" Internet surfers.
In many cases, casual users simply don't use the Internet enough to justify the cost of broadband service. Dial-up Internet access is often the most cost effective and best choice for this group. They can have access to the Internet when they want it with monthly costs at or below $10.
Some situations are ideal for dial-up service to be used as a backup system in the event of a broadband technical problem. If you must be connected for business, public safety, or medical reasons, dial-up might be the best, low cost alternative in an emergency.
Should you live in an area not serviced by cable TV/Internet or DSL service, your best choice may be a dial-up connection. Since satellite service should be available in even remote areas of the U.S., dial-up connections may still not be acceptable.
But, satellite service is more costly (equal to or greater than cable or DSL) and if you're not an intense Internet user, dial-up Internet service may still be useful. Although dial-up service will probably cause some "waiting frustration," having the Internet accessibility at low cost might be a good choice in these situations.
