Internet ConnectionsSafeBytes Software

Internet access is what connects individual computers, mobile devices, computer terminals, and computer networks to the internet. Internet Connections enables users to access various services such as the World Wide Web, email, social media, and others.

Internet service providers, or ISPs, are the providers of internet access. They offer access through a variety of technologies that offer a wide range of speeds or data signaling rates.

Early use of the internet by consumers was made popular via dial-up Internet access in the 90’s. During the first decade of the 21st century, consumers in certain world markets were offered broadband internet connections which featured faster internet connections.

In 2014, broadband internet access was available around the entire world. In this year the average connection speed of the world was over 4 Megabits per second. Pretty impressive right?

Internet Access Availability

In addition to wired internet access being available in workplaces, schools, homes, and in public areas such as internet cafes and libraries, there is an increasing amount of internet access points being offered in our society.

Some access points work as “internet phone booths” where users can pay for internet access. These are known as public internet kiosks, public access terminals, or web payphones. There is also an increasing amount of wireless internet access points being offered to the public.

These wireless internet networks, known as hotspots, are available for users who have their own wireless-ready devices. These hotspots can be offered at a single location such as a coffee shop or at multiple points along a campus, park, or commercial building. Not to mention that mobile phones can also access the internet from pretty much anywhere within the mobile networks coverage.

Technologies Internet access requires the use of a

modem. A modem is a piece of network hardware that translates data from digital to analog so that it can be transmitted over telephone and cable networks. A computer, or other internet-ready device, connects to a modem, which connects to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) or a Local Area Network (LAN) which offers internet access to a limited area such as an office building, computer lab, school, or home.

Dial-Up Access Dial-up internet uses a modem which

places a phone call over a public switched telephone network (PSTN) which connects to a pool of modems that is operated by an internet service provider. The modem converts the digital signal of a computer into an analog signal that goes along a phone line until it reaches the telephone company’s switching facility where it is then switched to a different phone line and then connects to yet another modem at the opposite end of the connection.

Cable Internet Access Cable internet access offers internet

access over a coaxial wiring made out of hybrid fiber. This fiber was originally created to transmit television signals. Copper coaxial cable or fiber-optics are used to connect to a node at the location of the customer known as a cable drop. This Node connects to the central office of the cable company.

At the very end of the line the cable company connects to the internet via digital satellite and microwaves or via fiber optic cable.

The speed and efficiency of internet connections has grown by leaps and bounds since the creation of it. Consumers only have faster internet speeds to look forward to in the future.