The History Of Broadband Internet Access

Broadband internet access is simply referred to as broadband or the internet. Almost everyone uses it or has at least heard of it, but do not know anything else about it. We just turn on the computer and expect it to be working. The internet has been around longer than many think and there are several ways to connect to it.

It starts with the US Military trying to find a secure and better way to communicate with research centers located in universities and elsewhere, during the 1950's. In the late 60's ARPANET came about with the purpose of creating a new technology allowing such a network to communicate with each other. The technology advanced by leaps and bounds with speed and room for data growing. Then in the 1980's it became available to the public but with heavy government restrictions.

The spread of its use is blamed on the government restrictions until 1991 when they were finally repealed. Broadband technology was then available for commercial business to offer for use in the home and in the office. Dial-up was the method available at the time, but now anyone could access it.

There was a problem though. Dial-up is slow. This makes it virtually impossible for it to keep up with the technology and demands being made on the internet. Downloading data takes a long time making it impossible to watch video's or listen to music without delays interrupting the flow. In addition, because of its use of telephone wires, a phone call while connected to the internet is impossible without forcing the internet to disconnect. The only solution is to have a second dedicated line installed.

Technology came up with a faster speed that is delivered through DSL, Digital Subscriber Line. It uses a modem plugged into the dedicated phone line. The modem is hooked into the computer and is always on even if the computer is turned off. DSL has the disadvantage of a weaker signal the farther away the modem is from the central office and it is not available in all communities.

Rural communities usually do not have DSL access so they turn to satellite internet. The information is sent and received by a satellite receiver linked to a computer. This method is typically slower and cost more than DSL but it is the only method available to some.

Also available to internet users is cellular broadband. This method uses cell phone towers to access the internet and works in the same cell phones work. A computer can connect by using a USB cellular modem or router. Some people also use a cell phone that can be used as a modem.

Another way to connect to the internet is with Wi-Fi. No connections or wires are required just the required hardware inside a computer and being within range of the radio waves. The hardware turns the information from computer into radio waves. That information is then sent through a wireless router and decoded. From there it is sent through the internet. To receive information the process is reversed.

People all over the world have access to the internet. They can use dial-up, DSL, Satellite, or Wi-Fi to communicate with each other in different countries. We now shop, watch movies, attend college, and work on the internet.