Internet Access

Internet access refers to the means by which users connect to the Internet. Common methods of Internet access include dial-up, landline (over coaxial cable, fiber optic or copper wires), T- lines, Wi-Fi, satellite and cell phones. Dial-up connections are the most common type of Internet connection available from ISPs and the slowest and

(usually) the least expensive. A dial-up connection allows users to connect to the Internet via a local server using a standard 56k modem, the PC literally dials (hence the name) a telephone number (provided by the Internet Service Provider) and connects to the server's modem and therefore the Internet. Once connected users are free to search the web as they please, however, compared to modern speeds of broadband Internet, dial-up is very slow and can only nominally transfer at 56 Kilobits per second. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL) have become a widely available broadband Internet connection, providing a variety of data rates. The connections work by splitting the function of a phone line into separate channels for voice telephone calls and for data (Internet). Thus, a user can talk on the phone and be connected to the Internet at the