How do we connect?
To connect to broadband internet you will need:
- A computer
- An ADSL modem
- A broadband active telephone line
To connect to dial up internet you will need:
- A computer
- A modem (usually 56kbps)
- A telephone line
- An internet package
When you connect to your internet, your modem dials up a server which is owned by your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
Internet service providers provide internet services and own servers which are permanently connected to the internet. So when you send information from your PC it then goes via your ISP to the destination server at the website you requested. ISP are companies such as 'Virgin Media', 'Tiscali' and 'Talk Talk'
Speed of Internet Connection
The speed in which we connect to the internet has changed very rapidly over the years, no longer are we confined to slow dial up speeds, broadband is now readily available and there is also talk of super fast broadband in some areas of the world.
Your speed of your Internet connection depends on a few factors:
- How far you are from your ISP's server
- The condition of your phone line
- How many applications/computers are using the connection
- If you are using cable internet, your internet will be split between lots of people. If all of these people are using the internet at once, your internet will be slowed down