Internet Speed & Usability

What has helped to further technological advances or cultural trends?

Internet connectability and speed supplied from service providers are just a couple of ways that have impacted our culture. If we did not have the availability to connect to the Internet, the information that we are seeking would be limited. If we had to wait on dial up services to provide the speed in which to surf, many of us would not use it because of time constraints and frustration in unusable features. (Photo.)

By having Broadband in the form of DSL high speed or wireless Internet service providers (WISP), the service that we have grown accustomed to has broadened the ways in which we use the Internet. “The term broadband refers to any type of transmission technique that carries several data channels over a common wire.”

We can search for anything and everything at any moment of any day. This provides an unlimited amount of information that is not restricted to catching the late breaking news on television or reading the newspaper headlines. News is instantaneous and convenient to the user. (Photo)

Some communities have created ‘mesh-networks’ which join together numerous wireless public access points to provide a form of less expensive hotspots that bring in customers to use the wireless networks that are supplied for free in selected areas.

“A hotspot is any location where Wi-Fi network access (usually Internet access) is made publicly available.” These areas are often found in airports, coffee shops, hotels, libraries, and other places that wireless users tend to frequent and congregate. It is the provider’s goal to make connecting Wi-Fi users as simple and secure as possible. The problem with these public hotspots is that they are public and generally have less security levels than other wireless business networks. But this is a great way to provide a service that can generate sales in other forms of business. (October, 2008.

“Wi-Fi is a low-cost option relative to other forms of wireless Internet service. Equipment is inexpensive (many newer computers have the needed hardware built in), and Wi-Fi hotspots remain free in some locales. Availability can be a problem, however. You won't find public Wi-Fi access in most suburban and rural areas.” (October, 2008.)(Logo.)

WISPs can further broaden our availability via use of cell phones and other wireless devices. This type of connectability is not as widely used across the board of users, so it provides selective service and is more expensive than the typical wireless Internet that we use for our laptops. WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a telecommunications technology that provides for the wireless transmission of data in a variety of ways ranging from point to point links to full mobile cellular-type access. WiMAX provides broadband speed enabling the delivery of the ‘last mile’ wireless usage without the use of cables. This option provides an alternative to DSL for areas where that is not feasible. The largest fully functional WiMAX network is located in Pakistan using Motorola hardware supplied to approximately seventeen cities throughout the region.

A general distinction of WiMAX and Wi-Fi is that the range system for WiMAX is typically a longer range than Wi-Fi which can allow for a wider coverage area. “WiMAX and Wi-Fi have quite different Quality of Service (QoS) mechanisms. WiMAX uses a mechanism based on connections between the Base Station and the user device. Each connection is based on specific scheduling algorithms, which means that QoS parameters can be guaranteed for each flow.

Wi-Fi has introduced a QoS mechanism similar to fixed Ethernet, where packets can receive different priorities based on their tags. This means that QoS is relative between packets/flows, as opposed to being guaranteed. Intel is a leader in promoting WiMAX, and has developed its own chipset. However, it is notable that most of the major semiconductor companies have, to date, been more cautious of involvement and most of the products come from smaller specialists or start-up suppliers.” (October, 2008.)(Photo.)

As with anything that is up and coming, as it becomes more standardized the availability and quality of service will most likely improve. The weather is a factor that inhibits the best service for wireless due to lightning, wind, and moisture interfering with the wireless transmission. Limited signal strength is also a factor in usability due to cellular tower strength. Also, geographical topography that is flat is best suited for wireless use, it is not always available which can limit signal strength. There is no doubt that these obstacles will be addressed and improved as the strength in users grows. (Photo)