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IT Training Pal The internet is one of the most powerful tools of the modern age, enabling us to connect with each other, access information and entertainment, and shop for products from all over the world. But how does the internet work? It all starts with an internet connection. There are several different types of internet connections available today, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we'll explore the different types of internet connections and help you decide which one is best for you. Cable Broadband Cable broadband is one of the most common types of internet connections. It uses the infrastructure that is already in place thanks to cable television, making it one of the quickest and most convenient ways to get online. The connection works by using a modem and coaxial cable, which is similar to the wiring that feeds into your TV set. The modem connects to a cable provider’s CMTS (Cable Modem Termination System) that is connected to your house. The CMTS then connects your modem to the Internet. Broadband speeds vary based on your location and the type of plan you are signing up for. In most areas, cable internet can reach speeds of up to a gigabit per second. In many areas, the most popular cable providers include Xfinity, Cox Communications and Spectrum. These companies often offer plans that combine their broadband services with cable TV, so you can watch your favorite shows while you surf the Web. Although cable is one of the fastest types of internet connections, it can be susceptible to network congestion and slow speeds during peak usage times. Additionally, many cable companies cap upload and download speeds at a certain rate. DOCSIS 3.1 (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification) technology, the latest generation of cable broadband, provides the ability to deliver up to 10 Gbps of top-line capacity. It also includes a low-density parity check (LDPC) forward error correction technique that helps to enable high performance. LDPC is two times more efficient than previous error correction techniques on a bits per hertz basis. DOCSIS 3.1 technology also employs an active queue management technique that monitors a user’s data buffer, reducing latency. This approach helps to balance bandwidth capacity between upstream and downstream transmissions on the same cable broadband segment of the Internet, helping to improve the overall experience of users. DSL DSL is a form of Internet service that connects to your home via existing phone lines. It is a cheaper way to provide broadband connectivity than digging trenches to install new copper or fibre-optic cables, but it does limit your connection speed because of the distance between you and the main distribution hub. DSL connects to your computer via a modem that is connected to your telephone line. It uses the same lane for transmitting data as dial-up, but it also uses another lane to let your line carry more data. DSL is a more reliable option than dial-up because it does not interfere with your phone line. There are many different types of DSL connections, but they all work by using the same technique to send and receive information on the phone line. In order to do so, DSL uses an unused range of frequency from a standard telephone wire. This bandwidth is often used for voice transmission, but it can also be put to use for Internet access. One of the most popular DSL technologies is Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line, or ADSL. This type of DSL is primarily a residential option for families who surf the Internet and may need faster download speeds than a standard voice-only service. The other type of DSL is Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line, or SDSL. This is a faster, more reliable option for businesses that need to send large files and data between non-local networked offices. DSL is available from most cable and internet providers, and it can be bundled with your home phone or fax service to create a single high-speed connection. Some DSL service plans come with additional services, such as video conferencing and email accounts. Fiber Fiber-optic is the most advanced internet technology currently available, and it's rapidly becoming the preferred choice for those who want to experience high-speed, uninterrupted service. It's also more affordable than other options, and can offer significantly faster download speeds than cable or DSL. IT Training Pal Unlike copper wires, which distort when they're sent over long distances, fiber optic cables are completely unaffected by interference. This is important for high-speed connections, such as streaming video and downloading large files. When it comes to downloading, you'll likely get max download speeds of about 1,000 Mbps from most fiber-optic providers. This is 10 to 20 times faster than the average cable plan, which often maxes out at around 50 Mbps. For uploads, you'll generally get the same speeds from most fiber-optic plans. This is an advantage for those who often share the same files with others or have multiple devices connected to their home network. To transmit data over optical fibers, a laser flashes a Morse code-like signal into the end of a plastic or glass filament. That "wire" is then surrounded by a ferrule and cladding, both of which prevent the fiber from breaking. The most common type of fiber connection is FTTP or Fiber to the Premises, which sends pure fiber straight to your home. However, this is expensive for ISPs and is not available in all areas. Another option is FTTH or Fiber to the Building, which sends fiber through copper lines. This type of connection is often used in apartment buildings, hotels or offices that provide Internet to several businesses at once. Satellite Networking IT Training Pal Satellite Networking is a method of internet access that relies on communication satellites that are orbiting around the Earth. The satellites send and receive a signal to and from your home or business through a receiver dish. This dish is typically placed on your property in a spot that has as unobstructed access to the sky as possible. In order for the signal to reach you, it has to travel a long way. That’s why you may experience some latency with satellite internet. But the good news is that most online activities won’t be affected much by it. The satellite’s signal goes through a modem, which is a device that transforms the signal into data that can be read by your computer or other electronic devices. The data then reaches your router, which distributes it to the devices in your home. A modem and router are the same as those used in broadband internet connections. They both translate the signal from the dish to your system’s network adapter, then send it to your connected devices. This is similar to the process for cable and DSL, but with one key difference: satellite internet has a much longer path to your location. Since the satellites are positioned over 22,000 miles above the Earth, the signal has to travel a large distance before it can reach you. This makes the connection slow and not ideal for gaming. However, it is a great option for those who live in remote areas that don’t have a traditional landline connection available. It is also an excellent choice for those who need to communicate with people in other countries or are traveling on an airplane. IT Training Pal Cellular Networks Today's cellular networks are more than just a phone network; they're an essential component of everyone's lifestyle. From keeping up with contacts and staying connected with loved ones to conducting business transactions securely over mobile phones or tablets, these networks play an integral role in all aspects of life. Cellular networks are the primary means of connecting mobile devices with a cell tower to send and receive data. If you haven't already ascertained, the term 'cellular' refers to any device that utilizes telecommunications technology - be it smartphones or tablets! To access cellular service on an Android smartphone, simply navigate to Settings > More > Cellular Networks, where you'll find an option allowing you to add new ones. On iOS 10 devices there's also an Settings tab that offers similar options for adding new hotspots; as well as unchecked boxes permitting administrators to grant parental control permissions over these synced contacts listings and restricting how much data can be downloaded via Wi-Fi when connected to an access point - all without affecting your cellular connection in any way! The Evolution of Cellular Networks IT Training Pal In the late 1900s, cellular networks emerged as a vital means of communication for businesses and individuals alike. Initially utilized primarily by carriers in automobiles or aboard ships at sea, it wasn't until the late 1960s when mobile phones made their debut on this technological marvel that they could be used within a confined area - such as within a single city or even just within its immediate vicinity! With the advent of GSM technology in the 1980s, cellular phone services were introduced in North America along with localized cellular networks enabling users to make calls from any location. Within mere years' time, subscribers had access to multiple GSM operators throughout the world; one example would be T-Mobile US. The introduction of NANP (North American Numbering Plan) was also instrumental in facilitating easy access to telephone numbers across our region. With any traditional landline phone call requiring an operator manually dialing out for both parties involved - this proved to be quite convenient. However! Over time, advances have been made which allow us the ability to seamlessly connect via video calls over both internet-based networks and cellular connections - simplifying portability between devices! Types of Cellular Network Technologies: In recent years, cellular networks have been introduced with two distinct technologies: CDMA and GSM. Both utilize a similar frequency band - 800MHz - however these two platforms utilize different modulation schemes to transmit data. GSM is the most popular network in use today. It utilizes time division multiple access (TDMA) technology and utilizes a numbering system known as EDGE, which provides users with fast data speeds on their mobile phones. This system is prevalent throughout Asia Pacific; however its usage has diminished in favor of extensive LTE deployment. When compared to GSM, CDMA is an older telecommunication standard that operates at 1-890 MHz. CDMA networks utilize carrier phase modulation and do not employ any type of an addressing scheme for user identification purposes. The sole method used to identify users' identities within a CDMA network is the unique SIM card inserted into each handset - providing a convenient identity solution! TDD-LTE is currently the most prevalent cell phone network technology with over 3G coverage across the world. With 4G speeds, users don't need to worry about losing signal while they are on their device on the go! Types of Mobile Networks: Like fixed networks, mobile networks come in a variety of configurations and types. The most common are: • Circuit-switched (Cisco) networks utilize dedicated network infrastructure that requires the physical connection between two points before data can be transmitted from one to another. These connections must be periodically established and relinquished - hence the name 'circuit-switched'. • Packet-switched cellular networks permit multiple connections between two points in real time. For example, you could have several different smartphones connected to your line all at once - this is known as packet switching. Utilizing it allows for greater bandwidth efficiency and increased resilience compared to circuit switching, which requires downtime when establishing new connections. • GPRS cellular platforms provide moderate speed data transmission over 3G or 4G technologies, while EDGE offers a slower yet more affordable option; HSPDA provides an even more affordable entry point into GSM technology with speeds reaching up to 14kbps! Based on their configuration, there are typically four main varieties of mobile carriers: country-wide, regional, local, and specialized services providers. LTE (Long Term Evolution) LTE is an evolution of the preceding standards, giving producers a more flexible set of options when designing smart phones. This advanced technology was designed to enhance mobile broadband experiences by increasing data transfer speeds and provide unparalleled bandwidth capacity. With four different frequencies at its disposal, each LTE network is able to prioritize its traffic accordingly - optimizing speed for critical applications such as streaming video or uploading large files over standard web browsing. To facilitate this influx of data without sacrificing even a single byte on connection quality; all devices equipped with LTE connectivity can utilize several methods of aggregation - including putting together bits from multiple sources into a single stream for expedited transfer rates! In addition to what is commonly referred conforming standards such as CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) and GSM (Global System for Mobile communication); there exists yet another variant: D2-D4 or 'dual-use' spectrum – which can be utilized for short message services (SMS) but also used as part of an IoT (Internet of Things) network. Cellular 4G (4th Generation) Wireless Technology Speed is one of the most noticeable enhancements from a 4G LTE wireless connection. These networks were considered top-of-the-line and are capable of delivering up to 100MBs per second! That's more than ten times faster than their predecessors. The cellular industry continues to transition and the shift to 4G technology represented a significant turning point. Cellular networks are an integral component of mobile computing, enabling users to access information and communicate with others from any location at all times. The networks' structure is always changing in order to keep pace with today's technology. Cellular 5G Wireless Technology The newest generation of wireless networks is 5G, which is designed to connect virtually everyone and everything together, from devices, machines, and objects. The technology is meant to be more reliable with lower response times and higher capacity than previous generations, such as 2G, 3G and 4G. My research into 5G uncovered that the speed of 5G technology compared to 4G is significantly faster. Depending on the network, 5G speeds can be up to 10 times faster than 4G. It also has a much lower latency rate, meaning that it can respond to commands more quickly and reliably. New technologies, use cases and applications are driving a wave of interest in this new era of mobile communications. For example, massive video downloads and remote control with haptic style feedback are both examples of new applications where the technology can offer a wide range of capabilities. Low data rate Internet of Things (IoT) applications, where very long battery life is required are also a growing area of focus for this new technology. 5G networks are also able to deliver virtual network slicing which will allow operators to deliver the right slice of bandwidth, for each application, and align costs better with requirements. High speed data transfer – the ability to download huge video files, such as Hollywood blockbusters without buffering is another popular use case for 5G. In addition, a variety of new industrial applications are also being developed using this technology. Retail – retailers have been investing millions in smart technologies to enhance customer experience and streamline checkouts, as well as visual recognition-driven shelf monitoring. All of these are dependent on the ability to transmit large amounts of data and access high-throughput connections, which is why 5G is expected to have a significant impact on retailers. I hope this article helped you understand more about the different types of internet connections. Would you like to learn more about these types of things and start working towards getting certified to work in a related field? The CompTIA A+ certification is where you want to begin. Don’t delay, get started!