| Every major business uses Internet for its | | | | operates through cable wires. Its services |
| various applications. In US, broadband users | | | | are dependent on the company that provides |
| constitute approximately 53 % of the | | | | cable TV service. |
| residential users' population. There are both | | | | |
| local and national service providers. | | | | DSL, on the other hand, uses the telephone |
| | | | wires without affecting the voice service. |
| Speeds on the Internet are expressed in Mbps | | | | The speed of the DSL connection is inversely |
| (mega bytes per second) or Kbps (kilo bytes | | | | proportional to the distance from the issuing |
| per second). Upload and download are the two | | | | company's central office. |
| different speeds provided by high-speed | | | | |
| providers like broadband. The upload speed | | | | Satellite service requires installation of a |
| refers to accessing e-mails, file attachments | | | | satellite dish. There is a limit to the |
| and other data that needs to be sent. The | | | | amount of bandwidth that can be used in a |
| download speed refers to surfing, accessing | | | | specific time-period. This reduces its cost |
| information and related usage. | | | | effectiveness. The monthly subscription could |
| | | | vary from $50-$100. This service is |
| A dial up costs up to $20 per month, whereas | | | | appropriate and best suited for remote areas |
| the cost for an unlimited broadband can go up | | | | with no access to DSL or cable. |
| to $45. High speed ISPs (Internet Service | | | | |
| Provider) offer greater reliability along | | | | Wi-Max service is an upgraded version of the |
| with high speed. This feature could offset | | | | popular Wi-fi. It covers a much larger |
| the high cost against the facility provided. | | | | distance of 30 miles @ 70 mbps, compared to |
| | | | the earlier 300 ft @ 6 mbps. It is however |
| A broadband speed can be as much as 150 times | | | | available only in 40 metropolitan areas, and |
| the speed of a dial-up connection. High-speed | | | | has a long way to go before it is widely |
| ISPs include Cable, DSL (Digital Subscriber | | | | available. |
| Line) and Satellite service. Cable service | | | | |