Cable Internet Acess

Nowadays, the cable network systems permit the transmission of data and voice over community television networks (CATV). CATV originally referred to "community antenna television”; however, now it is often referred to "community access television" or even more commonly known as "cable TV”.

CATV is a network of coaxial cables (Fiber optic cables in some markets) used to distribute analog and digital television signal. Coaxial cables speed can reach between 10 to 20 Mbps, but they usually download much slower. It is roughly based on the Ethernet technology that was developed by Xerox PARC in the 1970s and became popular in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s. A typical neighborhood cable network looks like a big local area network.

Cable modems are not distance sensitive, like their DSL counterparts, so your connection will be possible no matter where you are located; however, if a lot of customers in your neighborhood access the Internet at the same time as you do it, the connection speed will decrease in the same proportion.

Few companies are restructuring the cabling networks of some cities in the USA in order to provide fiber optic cable nets. So far, there is no faster way other than fiber optics to send data from one location to the other.

The greatest concerns that potential user seem to have about cable modem is security. Since a cable network is a community system that can be shared by those within your neighborhood, the privacy of one's personal information and security of their home computers is of great concern. Therefore, it is of paramount importance for its customers to make sure that they have firewall software and antivirus software installed in their systems.

• • DigitalSubscriberLine
  • DSLServicesVariations
  • DSLvsCable (Comparison between DSL and Cable Internet)
  • BroadbandProviders

-- RobRiitano - 15 Dec 2005