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What is cable Internet Service?
Cable Internet service is a type of high-speed Internet access
that leverages the same coaxial cable that is used for television.
How fast is cable Internet?
Many cable companies and Internet service providers argue that
cable modems are as much as 100 times faster than a dial-up Internet
connection, running at an ultra-fast speed of 5 million bits per
second (mbps). A more realistic speed is 1 mbps, or about 20 times
faster than a typical 56,000-bits-per-second (kbps)dial-up
connection.
Is it true that cable Internet connections
are shared?
Yes. Subscribers in a given neighborhood or node (i.e. a
connection point) share a fixed amount of bandwidth. In other words,
a node accessed by only 100 people will generally provide a faster
service than a node with 500 users. Because cable is a shared medium
performance varies with the number of people using that particular
stretch of bandwidth, as well as the usage patterns.
Will speed slow as more users in the
neighborhood subscribe to cable?
Not necessarily, because most cable networks are scalable. To
ensure that service quality does not deteriorate as usage grows,
more connection points are added to suit the number of customers in
a particular area of the network. Scaling the network is also known
as "Node Grooming"
Are there security issues with Cable
Internet access?
Cable networks are broadcast oriented and each subscriber in an
area receives an IP assignment. This make the PC visible to others
in the neighborhood since cable users receive the same signal others
in that area.
How can I protect my computer from being
accessed by other parties?
Hardware and/or software firewalls can be set-up to “hide” the
computer. All transmissions then pass through the hardware firewall.
A hardware firewall is a small device that the cable and the
Ethernet card are connected to. A software firewall is a computer
program that resides on the PC and is always running. It watches
interactions between the PC and the Internet and blocks any
suspicious activities.
How much does cable Internet access cost?
Cable Internet service is typically priced from $25 to $50 a
month, which covers the cable modem rental fee; unlimited Internet
access; and Internet application software, such as a Web browser and
e-mail applications.
How does a cable connect to a computer?
The cable modem connects to the computer using either through an
Ethernet or a USB connection.
Can I obtain cable Internet service if my
home is not currently wired for cable?
Yes. So long as cable is available in your neighborhood, the
cable company can install the necessary wiring. You might, however,
have to pay an additional fee to be connected.
How much does cable Internet installation
cost?
Installation fees normally range from $50 to $150. This covers
cable wiring, an Ethernet card for your computer, and software
configuration. Cable companies frequently have promotions and waive
the installation charges, however.
Can multiple computers share a single cable
Internet connection?
Yes. To share a cable Internet connection, a computer hub is
needed. Some cable companies charge an additional fee for additional
computer, but most do not.
Can I surf the net and watch cable TV at the
same time?
Yes. Multiple TV sets and multiple Internet connections can
operate concurrently using the same cable connection.
How is the cable line connected to my
computer?
The cable is run to a cable modem situated next to your computer.
The cable modem is then connected to your computer via a Network
Interface Card (NIC) or Universal Serial Bus (USB).
Will a cable modem affect my television
reception?
No. Although cable modems use the same wires as your cable
television, cable modems operate at a separate frequency and won’t
interfere with your television reception.
What is a cable modem?
The word modem is actually short for “modulator” and
“demodulator”. It is essentially a device that connects your
computer to the cable network to enable broadband Internet service.
If I am an existing cable TV subscriber, are
there any advantages?
Many cable companies combine television services and Internet
services into packages. Depending on which cable TV services you
subscribe to, the additional cost of obtaining an Internet
connection might be insignificant.
Is cable Internet service available if cable
TV service is available in an area?
Not necessarily. To provide Internet service, cable companies
must upgrade their cable networks by installing fiber-optic lines
and two-way data-transmission capabilities. This is a time-consuming
and expensive undertaking.
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