Internet Access Tips and Advice - Cable Internet Access

Internet Access Tips and Advice Center
Topic: Cable Internet Access

See the subtopics menu for tips and advice about cable Internet access. For additional information about Internet service providers, see the topic list directly below.


Internet Access Topics

· Cable Internet Access
· Choosing an ISP

· Dial-Up Internet Access
· DSL Internet Access

· Internet Access Explained
· Other Types of ISPs


Cable Internet Access - Subtopics

· Cable Internet Basics
· Advantages of Cable Internet
· Disadvantages of Cable Internet
· Lowering Your Cable Internet Costs

· Buying Your Own Cable Modem
· Sharing Cable Internet
· Bandwidth Explained
· Deciding on Cable Internet

Cable Internet Basics
What is cable internet?

Cable Internet is a form of high speed, broadband Internet service. If cable television is available in your area, then it is likely that your cable company can also provide cable Internet access for an additional monthly fee.

Unlike dial-up Internet service, cable Internet service does not utilize your telephone line. Instead, cable Cable runs through your cable line and is not associated with your telephone service. In addition, cable Internet service requires a cable modem to transfer data from the Internet through the cable line.

Cable Internet service is normally five to 10 times faster than dial-up service, depending on the quality of service available in your area. It's also always on - you never need to dial up to connect.

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Advantages of Cable Internet
What are the advantages of cable internet?

Cable Internet has many advantages over other types of Internet a. Advantages include:

Speed
Traditional dial-up modems provide Internet access through a telephone line at up to 56 Kbps (kilobytes per second). A cable modem gives you access to high-speed Internet through your cable television network beginning at 512 Kbps but can reach speeds of more than 2 Mbps (Megabytes per second). That said, cable Internet service is considerably faster than dial-up service.

Connectivity
Unlike dial-up, cable Internet service is always on. Therefore, you do not have to wait to establish an Internet connection. You can simply open your Internet browser and begin surfing the Web.

Reliability
Because it does nottilize your telephone line, cable Internet service is much more likely to stay connected than dial-up service. Most cable ISP users experience little problems with staying online using a cable modem.

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Disadvantages of Cable Internet
What are the disadvantages of cable internet?

While cable Internet is fantastic for so many reasons, there are also a few potential downfalls to be aware of.

Expense
Cable Internet service generally costs more than dial-up alternatives. However, some cable Internet companies offer different levels of service (depending on speed) and you can choose the lowest cost option if you are looking for a more affordable high-speed Internet service.

Choice
Normally you do not have a choice between multiple cable companies in your area. Therefore, if you have decided on cable Internet service, you usually can't compare prices and options of several cable Internet providers.

Installation
Usually you will have to have a representative from the cable company come out to install your cable service. They will need to create a cable line near your computer where you will connect your cable modem. What is involved in the installation process can vary widely from location to location depending on many factors, including whether cable lines currently exist in the location.

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Lowering Your Cable Internet Costs
How can I lower my cable internet cost?

You can lower your monthly cable Internet costs by following these cable Internet tips:

Package Your Services
The most efficient way to lower the monthly cost of your cable Internet service is to package your service with other options from your cable company. Many cable companies offer drastic discounts by packaging cable television, cable Internet and even cable telephone services into one flat monthly rate.

Choose the Lowest Speed Option
Several major cable companies offer levels of cable Internet service, from basic service with a lower speed to premium service with the highest speed possible. If you do not need the maximum speed of service, you may want to consider opting for the lower priced (and slightly lower speed) service.

Ask for Discounts
It may seem obvious, but many cable Internet companies will offer discounts if you ask about them. Possible discounts could include a free trial period, an introductory rate for the first three to six months, free installation, referral bonuses or other discount programs. Don't be afraid to ask.

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Buying Your Own Cable Modem
Should I buy my own cable modem?

Though the cable company will automatically lease you a cable modem when you sign up for their Internet service, it may be beneficial in the long run to purchase your own cable modem instead of renting one.

DOCSIS is the transmission specification that has become the industry standard in cable modems. Therefore, most cable modems on the market are compatible with any system. However, be sure to contact your Internet cable company and make sure that a specific modem is compatible before actually purchasing that cable modem.

The price range for cable modems is normally between $100 and $250. Popular brands of cable modems include:

Best Data
D-Link
Linksys
Motorola
NetGear
RCA
Toshiba

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Sharing Cable Internet Between Two Computers
How can I use the internet on two computers in my house at the same time?

If you have cable Internet service and want to use several computers in your household at the same time, you can do so through several easy methods.

Possible methods include:

Router
Hub
Direct Cable
Crossover Cable

Router: You can buy a router to connect multiple computers to the same cable modem. Routers have become much cheaper in recent years and can be purchased for about $50 from most computer or electronics stores. They do require installation, but it's not that difficult if you are good at reading directions from a manual. It requires only one IP address and the speed is genrally good.

Hub: You can purchase a hub kit to connect two computers to the cable modem. The cost of the hub is generally $25 or more. It is fairly simple to set up, but will require two IP addresses. Speed is relatively good.

Direct Cable: You can connect two computers to the Internet by using a parallel cable between the computers. It's very simple to set up and requires only one IP address. However, speed can be greatly affected. It is recommended to use this only as a temporary or emergency solution.

Crossover Cable: You can connect by using a crossover network cable. This method is a little more complicated to set up, relatively speaking. You must designate one of the computers as a host and the other as a guest, and you may also have to adjust your network settings. Speed with this type of setup is generally good.

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Bandwidth Explained
What is bandwidth?

The definition of bandwidth, in regards to cable Internet, is the highest amount of data that can pass through the cable lines and modem in a specified time period. That amount of data is typically calculated in bits (or bytes) per second. The larger the number, the more amount of data that can pass through.

Sometimes, there will be two different numbers associated with bandwidth. Inbound bandwidth is in regards to how much data your computer can receive in any give amount of time, while outbound bandwidth has to do with how much data can be transferred from your computer to the Internet in a specified time period. For basic Internet activity (surfing the Web, sending email, etc.), inbound bandwidth is the more important feature.

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Deciding on Cable Internet
Who should choose cable internet?

If you are deciding between dial-up service and cable Internet service, the speed and reliability of cable may be worth the extra cost, particularly if you spend significant time online. There are several groups of people that may benefit the most from cable Internet service in their home.

Business Owners
If you own a business and conduct your work online, cable Internet service is a good option. From home, you can check your inventory, order processing, email and other business functions very quickly.

Work-At-Home Employees
If you work from home and spend significant time on the computer, doing research, writing or other functions, dial-up may be too slow for your daily work activities. With cable Internet, you can establish a high-speed Internet connection and work more effectively.

Students
Students who use the Internet for research will benefit greatly from cable Internet. You can surf the web swiftly and find the information you need for all your school projects.

Gamers
For those who play video games online, it is nearly impossible using a dial-up connection. Cable Internet access provides the speed and connectivity necessary to participate in online games.

Read this for more on the DSL vs. cable debate.

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Search for Internet Service Providers
Select your state from the dropdown menu to your right to view ISPs that are available in your area.

Note: This information is for general use only. Use this information as part of a full research process. General advice does not always apply directly to individual matters. Please consult a local expert with specific and complex questions about your individual situation.


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