Choosing an Online Connection

(Modem, ISDN, Cable, Broadband - ASDL/SDSL)

Introduction

As the Internet becomes increasingly popular with every day that passes, it is now considered as one of the best ways to do business (e-commerce), network (by email), and build partnerships (on-line collaboration).

It is arguably, some would say, the most efficient way of gathering information for a wide range of business uses and to interact with customers. One of the main issues today is what is the best way to connect to and use the Internet to its full potential with a view to speed and reliability?

Unfortunately, because of the poor quality of the existing telephone network that connects us to the Internet, the speed at which information (web pages, images etc) appears on your screen is slow compared to the latest technology available.

Ultimately, broadband (see below) will be the solution that will provide us all with a connection up to ten times faster than the speed at which information arrives to you with a regular modem.

As new technology becomes available almost every week, the awareness of the difference between the performance (speed), costs and availability is still unknown to many people and consequently we face problems deciding which connection is best for our business needs. So, what has changed?

Available Technology

(i) PC Modem - up to 56kbps

The PC Modem is the standard way of connecting to the Internet but is now the slowest.

The fastest type of standard modem is 56kbps, these are included as standard with all new PC's; but if you do not have one they can be bought from around £15-20 upwards.

If you are currently using a modem below 56k (which is unlikely) then the difference in speed will be very noticeable. There is nothing negative about using standard PC modems but the speed may be a crucial factor if time is valuable to your business or if downloading large or numerous files (images, emails, etc) is what you require.

(ii) ISDN (Integrated Service Digital Network) - 64/128kbps

ISDN provides a solution by offering two high-speed lines capable of running at 64kbps each through your existing phone network. The advantage of this is that each line can be connected to a different source (e.g. two computers, a computer and a telephone/fax or two telephones). Another feature that may interest you is that the lines can be used simultaneously from a single computer giving a speed of 128kbps. This would be useful should you need the extra speed to work quicker over the Internet at a specific time, or for downloading large images and files.

This service requires you to remove your existing modem (if you have one) and replace it with an ISDN card that can be found under £50 from most large PC stores. On top of this, you will be required to pay around £30 per month rental depending on your supplier (i.e. BT highway).

ISDN appears expensive in comparison to ADSL/broadband, but the two phone lines that come with it can be invaluable to a small business. If ADSL is not available in your area, then ISDN offers an effective solution.

(iii) Cable - up to 600kbps

Cable offers greater speeds but has the initial problem of availability. Just like Cable TV, you can only receive the service if you live within a cable operator's franchise area. Should you find that you are one of the 'chosen few' you may consider this over ADSL (see below) because of the cheaper operating costs that NTL generally offer; although you should check carefully because prices are always changing.

NTL have proposed plans to integrate technology so that speeds of up to 2Mbps can be achieved in the future. Telewest are also competing for a share of the market.

In order to use cable you will need two things: A cable modem and a Network Interface Card (Sometimes referred to as NIC's). The cable modem rental is sometimes included (depending on whether you are an existing cable customer), and a NIC card can be purchased for under £20. Should you decide to adopt the service you will be joining over 45,000 other current users in the UK.

You do have to bear in mind the future and consider the following: Cable currently has a waiting list for customers in many areas and once they have all been connected, the speed of the service will run at slower rates (kbps). This is because the amount of information that the Cable can carry at one time is shared with all those connected to it. However, you could also consider that there may be further advances in the technology to change this.

(iv) BROADBAND (ADSL) - Over 512kbps

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line

This connection improves the speed at which you can download/upload dramatically compared to the standard PC modem. ADSL uses your existing phone line but gives you the added advantage of being able to use the phone/fax at the same time as being connected to the Internet: the connection time to the Internet is instant as ADSL is "always on" meaning that you can start surfing the net as soon as you turn on your computer.

Note: It is arguably commented that leaving on your computer is perhaps more beneficial in the long term. This is due to the fact that the electronics aren't being heated and cooled repeatedly causing damage to their performance.

Using such a connection will involve extra hardware such as a box that fits to your wall that you plug a USB modem (also needed) into which will then connect to your computer.

When you connect to ADSL you also get a new phone line, which can be beneficial to many small businesses. The use of this line does not affect the ADSL connection either.

Broadband is available to approximately 75% of the UK, and this figure is rising as new telephone exchanges are upgraded. However, you should check availability in your area before discounting ISDN or 56k.

ADSL gives faster downloading speeds (receiving) than uploading speeds (sending).

To check if broadband is available in your area - Click Here

(v) BUSINESS BROADBAND (SDSL) - upto 2Mbps

Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line

This service was released in early 2004 - aimed at businesses - allowing users to enjoy the same uploading (sending) speeds as it was capable of downloading (receiving).

This service is beneficial to businesses that frequently send large files via the internet: the current connection may be causing the network to suffer huge strain when transporting such files.

Subscribers can sign up for speeds varying from 256kbps to 2Mbps, depending on preference.

This service is much more expensive than ADSL broadband and should only be considered if there is an instant need for the service.