Accessing the Internet

Introduction

Millions of consumers and businesses use the Internet daily to communicate and/or operate their business. By definition the Internet is an interconnected system of networks that connects computers around the world via the TCP/IP protocol (dictionary.com). A TCP/IP is the abbreviation for Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol suite. Basically a server, which is the main machine, transmits files and services to the end user at a single machine. Unlike software or hardware packages, there is no one entity that governs the Internet. There are, however, many private companies that own Internet traffic flow.

Residential Internet Accessibility

There are four basic types of access to the Internet each with their pros and cons. They are as follows:

„X Dial-Up ÐŽV this is the most basic of the types of access. In order to access the Internet, the computer must be able to ÐŽ§dial-inЎЁ to the network using a phone line. This, in turn, prohibits the user from using the actual phone line at the same time as accessing the Internet.

„X DSL ÐŽV DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line. This technology, much like dial-up, requires a phone line, however, the user is able to still use the phone while connected to the Internet. Additionally it allows for high-speed access that is considerably faster than dial-up because it is always on. A drawback is that you must be within 1500 meters of the provider of the connection. The further the location, the slower the connection.

„X Cable Modem ÐŽV this type of access uses a cable modem and a cable wire to access the Internet much like a wire to access local cable television. The cable modem is typically faster than DSL and is also always on. The drawback to this type of service is that it can be more expensive and is only offered where cable is available.

„X Satellite/Wireless ÐŽV Satellite or wireless connectivity is becoming increasingly more popular because of its convenience. Many cellular phones now have access to the Internet using this wireless technology and many laptops are equipped with wireless cards to access the Internet wherever there is a wi-fi tower.

Business Internet Accessibility

Many of these types of access are suitable for either residential use or for small businesses. However, for larger corporations where there are many users on the Internet at any given time or where large amounts of data need to be transmitted, there are other options:

„X Business DSL ÐŽV unlike residential DSL as described above, business DSL or SDSL requires the installation of a separate telephone line and cannot be used to make a telephone call as SDSL utilizes the entire phone line as opposed to standard DSL which uses unoccupied ÐŽ§piecesЎЁ of the connection.

„X T1/T3 Lines ÐŽV these are a standard Internet connection for businesses where access to the Internet is critical. They are dedicated lines that are leased by a private company that provide high-speed high volume access directly to the Internet Service Provider (ISP). This line is able to transmit data between two points at the same time and at a very high rate. A T1 connection can transmit nearly sixty times more data than standard residential lines and is very reliable. A T3 (often referred to as a DS3 line) provides very high-speed and high-volume access to large corporations and universities. Both use digital signals over fiber optic cables to transmit data.

„X OC Circuit ÐŽV OC or optical carrier lines are commonly used by Internet Service Providers (ISPÐŽ¦s) and other large enterprises where Internet content is provided. There are different levels of OC connections that will vary depending on the amount of data being transmitted. One of the most basicÐŽ¦s is the OC-3 line which is equivalent to fourteen T3 lines or four hundred and fourteen T1 lines.

Additionally, Voice/Data Services are being offered more extensively as the Internet has the ability to also transmit voice over the data lines, therefore allowing businesses to combine phone and Internet services in one package instead of having two separate lines.

SWOT Analysis

There are strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to each of the different types of access for businesses. This can best be outlined in a SWOT analysis as follows:

Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats