Dial-Up Connection

What Is Dial-Up Connection?

Dial-up connections are a connection between

two devices using standard telephone service.
When this connection is initiated, it is done so by
a device that picks up a regular telephone line. It
picks up the line and listens for a dial tone. Once
it hears a dial tone, it dials a standard telephone
number of the receiving device, which is also
connected to a regular telephone line. So, it is
called dial-up because the devices literally dial
each other up to connect.
Uses of a Dial Up Connection
Dial-up connections are found almost any place
that telephone lines and computers coexist. It is
also used by credit card processing equipment,
electronic bulletin boards, email machines, serial
networks and more.
Speed of dial up connections
The condition of the telephone line has a lot to
do with the maximum speed of the dial up
connection. Under optimal circumstances, a
56kbps throughput can be maintained. Real
world speeds typically vary between 18kbps and
48kbps.
Dial Up Connection providers
The service needed in order to dial-up connect to
the Internet is available from many sources. Free
services can sometimes be found, along with pay
services like AOL, MSN, Earthlink and other ISP
companies.
Comparison of speeds
Dial-up connections can connect at a speed up to
56kbps, whereas DSL or cable Internet service
can today reach speeds of 20,000kbps.

DSL- Digital Subscriber Line

Digital subscriber line (DSL; originally digital

subscriber loop) is a family of technologies that
are used to transmit digital data over telephone
lines. In telecommunications marketing, the term
DSL is widely understood to mean asymmetric
digital subscriber line (ADSL), the most
commonly installed DSL technology, for Internet
access.
DSL service can be delivered simultaneously
with wired telephone service on the same
telephone line since DSL uses higher frequency
bands for data. On the customer premises, a DSL
filter on each non-DSL outlet blocks any high-
frequency interference to enable simultaneous
use of the voice and DSL services.
The bit rate of consumer DSL services typically
ranges from 256 kbit/s to over 100 Mbit/s in the
direction to the customer (downstream),
depending on DSL technology, line conditions,
and service-level implementation. Bit rates of
1 Gbit/s have been reached.
In ADSL, the data throughput in
the upstream direction (the direction to the
service provider) is lower, hence the designation
of asymmetric service. In symmetric digital
subscriber line (SDSL) services, the downstream
and upstream data rates are equal. Researchers
at Bell Labs have reached speeds over 1 Gbit/s
for symmetrical broadband access services using
traditional copper telephone lines, though such
speeds have not yet been deployed elsewhere.

ISDN- Integrated Services Digital Network

ISDN is a set of communication standards for
simultaneous digital transmission of voice, video,
data, and other network services over the
digitalised circuits of the public switched
telephone network.
ISDN is a circuit-switched telephone network
system, but it also provides access to packet-
switched networks that allows digital
transmission of voice and data. This results in
potentially better voice or data quality than an
analog phone can provide. It provides a packet-
switched connection for data in increments of 64
kilobit/s. It provided a maximum of 128 kbit/s
bandwidth in both upstream and downstream
directions. A greater data rate was achieved
through channel bonding. Generally, ISDN B-
channels of three or four BRIs (six to eight 64
kbit/s channels) are bonded.
ISDN Interfaces:
The following are the interfaces of ISDN:
Basic Rate Interface (BRI) –

There are two data-bearing channels (‘B’

channels) and one signaling channel (‘D’
channel) in BRI to initiate connections. The B
channels operate at a maximum of 64 Kbps while
the D channel operates at a maximum of 16
Kbps. The two channels are independent of each
other. For example, one channel is used as a
TCP/IP connection to a location while the other
channel is used to send a fax to a remote
location. In iSeries ISDN supports a basic rate
interface (BRl). The basic rate interface (BRl)
specifies a digital pipe consisting of two B
channels of 64 Kbps each and one D channel of
16 Kbps. This equals a speed of 144 Kbps. In
addition, the BRl service itself requires an
operating overhead of 48 Kbps. Therefore, a
digital pipe of 192 Kbps is required.

Primary Rate Interface (PRI) –

Primary Rate Interface service consists of a D
channel and either 23 or 30 B channels
depending on the country you are in. PRI is not
supported on the iSeries. A digital pipe with 23 B
channels and one 64 Kbps D channel is present
in the usual Primary Rate Interface (PRI).
Twenty-three B channels of 64 Kbps each and
one D channel of 64 Kbps equals 1.536 Mbps.
The PRI service uses 8 Kbps of overhead also.
Therefore, PRI requires a digital pipe of 1.544
Mbps.

Broadband-ISDN (B-ISDN) –

Narrowband ISDN has been designed to operate

over the current communications infrastructure,
which is heavily dependent on the copper cable
however B-ISDN relies mainly on the evolution of
fibre optics. According to CCITT B-ISDN is best
described as ‘a service requiring transmission
channels capable of supporting rates greater
than the primary rate.
ISDN Services:
ISDN provides a fully integrated digital service
to users. These services fall into 3 categories-
bearer services, teleservices, and supplementary
services.
Bearer Services –

Transfer of information (voice, data, and video)

between users without the network manipulating
the content of that information is provided by
the bearer network. There is no need for the
network to process the information and
therefore does not change the content. Bearer
services belong to the first three layers of the
OSI model. They are well defined in the ISDN
standard. They can be provided using circuit-
switched, packet-switched, frame-switched, or
cell-switched networks.
Teleservices –
In this, the network may change or process the
contents of the data. These services correspond
to layers 4-7 of the OSI model. Teleservices rely
on the facilities of the bearer services and are
designed to accommodate complex user needs.
The user need not be aware of the details of the
process. Teleservices include telephony, teletex,
telefax, videotex, telex, and teleconferencing.
Though the ISDN defines these services by name
yet they have not yet become standards.
Supplementary Service -

Additional functionality to the bearer services

and teleservices are provided by supplementary
services. Reverse charging, call waiting, and
message handling are examples of
supplementary services which are all familiar
with today’s telephone company services.
Principle of ISDN: The ISDN works based on the
standards defined by ITU-T (formerly CCITT). The
Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-
T) coordinates standards for telecommunications
on behalf of the International Telecommunication
Union (ITU) and is based in Geneva, Switzerland.
The various principles of ISDN as per ITU-T
recommendation are:
 To support switched and non-switched
applications
 To support voice and non-voice
applications.
 Reliance on 64-kbps connections.
  Intelligence in the network.
 Layered protocol architecture.
 Variety of configurations

Advantages of ISDN:

 ISDN channels have a reliable connection.

 ISDN is used to facilitate the user with
multiple digital channels.
 It has faster data transfer rate.

Disadvantages of ISDN:
 ISDN lines costlier than the other telephone
system.
 It requires specialized digital devices.
 It is less flexible.

Broadband-

Broadband is the delivery of high-speed internet

access over cable, DSL, fiber or wireless
networks. It can provide fast and reliable data
transfer, streaming video, gaming and other
services.

Pros of Broadband
Broadband is generally a far more popular option
than traditional dial-up services. Here are just a
few reasons why:
  A broadband connection allows you to play
many popular computer games that rely on a
fast internet connection.
 A broadband connection, unlike the old dial-
up internet connection, will not engage your
phone line when in use.
 Having a broadband connection makes it
possible for you to obtain a voice-over-
internet phone service (VoIP) so you will no
longer need the traditional phone line at all.
 Another great benefit of a broadband
connection is that you are constantly
connected to the internet. You are quickly
able to connect with your work’s intranet
and email in a matter of seconds.

Once installed, a broadband connection is always

on. The connection is maintained with the use of
a cable or DSL modem. Cable internet connects
the computer to the cable outlet in your wall,
while DSL connects through a modem that uses
your phone line. (Again, DSL will not tie up your
landline.) You have to literally unplug the
connection or turn off the power to disconnect
from the internet.

Unlike the old dial-up service, you do not dial a

specific phone number to gain access to the
internet. With broadband service, access to the
internet is given by simply opening your internet
browser of choice (you can usually double-click
the icon on your desktop — Internet Explorer,
Firefox, Netscape, etc.). Your default web page
will open and you can immediately start surfing
the web. The whole process should take no more
than about 10 to 15 seconds, depending on your
internet speed and your computer’s speed.
Determining speeds with broadband services
Even though cable broadband internet service
offers a speedy internet connection, this fast
speed will not be realized if the connection itself
cannot be relied on. For example, the cable
connection you receive depends on the shared
bandwidth, the number of users on the system at
any time, and the latency on the network.

The bandwidth is just one factor that determines

the internet connection’s speed. It is a measure
of the quantity of data that enters the network
over time and is measured in Mbps (megabits
per second). The greater the data flow, the
better the network internet connection. In
broadband connections, the supported data
rates are generally 300 Kbps and higher. By
comparison, dial-up has a maximum of 53 Kbps.

Latency refers to delays incurred in network

data processing. A network is described as
having low latency if it experiences only small
delay times and high latency if it suffers from
long delays. When the latency becomes
excessive, data transmission causes a bottleneck
that prevents additional data from coming
through and this effectively reduces the cable’s
internet connection speeds. In other words, the
devices responsible for getting data to your
computer or phone may get bogged down. So
even though the bandwidth of your internet
connection is set, its effectiveness can be
reduced by bottlenecks of data and a high
number of users on the system.
Cable-

Cable, in electrical and electronic systems, a

conductor or group of conductors
for transmitting electric power or
telecommunication signals from one place to
another. Electric communication cables transmit
voice messages, computer data, and visual
images via electrical signals to telephones, wired
radios, computers, teleprinters, facsimile
machines, and televisions. There is no clear
distinction between an electric wire and an
electric cable. Usually, the former refers to a
single, solid metallic conductor, with or without
insulation, while the latter refers to a stranded
conductor or to an assembly of insulated
conductors. With fibre-optic cables, made of
flexible fibres of glass and plastic, electrical
signals are converted to light pulses for the
transmission of audio, video, and computer data.
Electric power cables
The most common type of electric power cable is
that which is suspended overhead between poles
or steel towers. These aerial cables consist of a
number of wires, usually
of copper or aluminium, twisted (stranded)
together in concentric layers. Copper or
aluminium is chosen for high electrical
conductivity, while stranding gives the cable
flexibility. Because aerial cables are frequently
subjected to severe environmental stresses,
alloys of copper or aluminium are sometimes
used to increase the mechanical strength of the
cable, although at some detriment to its
electrical conductivity. A more common design is
to include in the stranded cable assembly a
number of high-strength, noncorrosive steel
wires. Many aerial cables, especially those
operating at high voltages, are bare
(uninsulated). Cables operating at lower voltages
frequently have coverings of asphalt-saturated
cotton braid, polyethylene, or other dielectric
(nonconducting) material. These coverings offer
some protection against short-circuiting and
accidental electric shock.

Another type of electric power cable is installed

in underground ducts and is extensively used in
cities where lack of space or considerations of
safety preclude the use of overhead lines. Unlike
an aerial cable, a buried cable invariably uses
commercially pure copper or aluminium
(mechanical strength is not a problem
underground), and the stranded conductor is
frequently rolled to maximize its compactness
and electrical conductance.

Aerial and underground power cables compose a

major portion of the electrical circuit from the
generator to the point of utilization of the
electric power. The balance of the circuit (and
sometimes the entire circuit) may, however,
require specialized cables. Illustrative of these
usages and of the special conditions to be met
are cables for use in steel mills and boiler rooms
(high temperature), on mobile equipment
(vibration and excessive flexing), in chemical
plants (corrosion), for submarines and mines
(mechanical abuse), near nuclear reactors (high
radiation), and on artificial satellites (pressure
extremes).
Electric telecommunication cables
Electric cables used to transmit information are
quite different from power cables, both in
function and in design. Power cables are
designed for high voltages and high current
loads, whereas both voltage and current in a
communication cable are small. Power cables
operate on direct current or low-
frequency alternating current, while
communication cables operate at higher
frequencies. A power cable usually has not more
than three conductors, each of which may be 1
inch (2.5 cm) or more in diameter; a telephone
cable may have several thousand conductors, the
diameter of each being less than 0.05 inch (0.125
cm).

Protective coverings for electric communication

cables are similar to those for electric power
cables. They usually consist of an aluminium or
lead-alloy tube or of a combination of metallic
strips and thermoplastic materials. The
insulation of a telephone cable is composed of
dry cellulose (in the form of paper tape wrapped
around the conductor or paper pulp applied to
the conductor) or of polyethylene. The insulation
thickness is a few hundredths of an inch or less.
A coaxial cable, which first
gained widespread use during World War II, is a
two-conductor cable in which one of the
conductors takes the form of a tube while the
other (smaller but also circular in cross section)
is supported, with a minimum of solid insulation,
at the centre of the tube. Several of these
coaxial units may be assembled within a common
jacket, or sheath.

The construction of long submarine cables for

either telephone or telegraph service is
somewhat different from that discussed
previously. A transatlantic cable for telegraphs
was first completed in 1858 and for telephones
in 1956; a fibre-optic cable first spanned
the Atlantic Ocean in 1988.

Cables made of optical fibres first came into

operation in the mid-1970s. In a fibre-optic
cable, light signals are transmitted through thin
fibres of plastic or glass from light-emitting
diodes or semiconductor lasers by means of
internal reflection. The advantages of fibre-optic
cables over conventional coaxial cables include
low material cost, high transmission capacity,
low signal attenuation, data security, chemical
stability, and immunity from electromagnetic
interference.
Like other types of cables, fibre-optic cables are
designed and insulated for various applications
overland, underground, overhead, and
underwater. Such cables usually consist of a core
embedded in a series of protective layers. The
cable core contains a single solid or stranded
central strength element that is surrounded by
optical fibres; these are either arranged loosely
in a rigid core tube or packed tightly into a
cushioned, flexible outer jacket.

The number and type of protective layers

surrounding the core depends upon the use for
which the cable is intended. In general, the core
is covered with a layer of copper to
improve conduction over long distances,
followed by a material (e.g., aluminium foil) to
block the passage of water into the fibres. Steel
wire or strands are added for tensile strength,
and the entire cable is then wrapped in a
polyethylene sheath, or jacket, for stability.
Wi-Fi – Wireless Fidelity

Wi-Fi is a wireless networking technology that

allows devices to communicate without cables. It
is very useful for browsing the web, streaming
videos, or downloading files.

Wi-Fi is a wireless LAN standard, part of IEEE

802.11, for communication among different
devices. It is a kind of radio wave, the same as
Bluetooth and cellular networks, used for device
communication on a small scale, like for houses,
malls, piazzas, etc. Wi-Fi is the cheapest and
fastest way for short-distance transmission
enabling web browsing, online gaming, video
streaming, and VOIP calling. In 2019, the
shipment of Wi-Fi devices surpassed 310 million.
User Experience: fast speed, low latency, multi-
environment, various device types.
Wi-Fi is
 The most commonly used wireless
communication technology.
 The primary medium for global internet
traffic.
 A driver of nearly $2 trillion in global
economic value.
 Growing, with 4 billion devices shipping in
2018 and 13 billion devices in use.
Origin of WiFi

A new wireless communications technology was

created by Dr. John O'Sullivan, known as “the
father of WiFi”, working for CSIRO in the 1990s.
The Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance
(now called Wi-Fi Alliance) tried to ask CSIRO to
donate this technology to society for free, but
failed. Now every WiFi device maker, like for
laptops, cellphones, smart home devices, etc,
pays CSIRO for patent royalties.
“Wi-Fi” is merely a trademark claimed by the Wi-
Fi Alliance in 1999.
Actually “Wi-Fi” doesn’t mean anything and is
not short for wireless fidelity, the facts of which
have been proved by Phil Belanger, a founding
member of the Wi-Fi Alliance. Now more and
more people use “Wi-Fi” as “WiFi”.
How to get WiFi?

You'll need 3 things: bandwidth, a gateway, and

a router. Nowadays you can also create WiFi with
your phone's Hotspot Sharing function.
How does WiFi work?

Wireless connection is basically a two-way

communication between a router and a client
device. Both are equipped with a radio
transmitter and receiver to communicate with
each other by sending signals over a radio
frequency (2.4 GHz or 5 GHz).
Usually, a WiFi router connects physically to an
Ethernet outlet or a DSL/Cable/Satellite modem
via a network cable for internet access. It then
broadcasts its WiFi name (SSID) to surrounding
devices. When a device intends to join a wireless
network, it sends signals to notify the router.
Once the router receives and accepts the
request, the connection is established.
What WiFi do I need?

Wireless technology is constantly evolving to

meet the demand for higher speeds. Common
wireless technologies are 802.11n (WiFi 4),
802.11ac (WiFi 5), and 802.11ax (WiFi 6). You
can easily tell from the name that Wi-Fi 6 is the
latest generation of WiFi technology, created to
improve speed, increase efficiency, and reduce
congestion in heavy bandwidth usage scenarios.
But do you always need to buy the newest router
with the latest technology?
Not necessarily. First, you’ll need to figure out
your regular network needs and how many
devices in your home are connected to the
internet. Here are some general suggestions
based on daily online activities.
Numbe
Recommend
r of
Activity ed
Device
Technology
s
Web surfing, email,
1-2 video chat, or WiFi 4
internet phone calls
Online multiplayer
3-5 gaming, 4K WiFi 5
streaming
 All of the above plus
More downloading large WiFi 5 or
than 5 files and live WiFi 6
streaming video
Note: If devices in your home support Wi-Fi 6,
you’ll want a WiFi 6 router.
Next, determine how much area you need to
cover. The environment plays a pretty big part in
the coverage and performance of wireless
products.
In different houses, due to radio interference
(aka, attenuation) and the varying reception
sensitivity of clients, the router will not have the
exact same performance. Generally, the range of
2.4 GHz is about 65 feet (20 m) and 5 GHz is
within 49 feet (15 m) for a good networking
experience. High gain antennas, Beamforming
technology, and other factors help improve
range.
If a router is not fast enough or you cannot get
the coverage you need, you might consider using
OneMesh or Deco Mesh WiFi.
1) OneMesh™: Cost-effective mesh network.
2) Deco Mesh WiFi: a whole home Mesh WiFi
system.

How to test my WiFi speed?

Speedtest® provides an easy way to monitor

your network speed. It reveals the current
upload and download speeds received from your
provider and gives practical advice about the
activities you can enjoy.
If your router supports the Speedtest® feature,
you can go to the web management page or
Tether app to run a test directly.
If not, you can directly visit Speedtest to
perform the speed test.
How to boost my WiFi speed?

WiFi speed is affected by distance, obstacles

(such as walls and ceilings), electronic
interference, and the number of devices
connected to the network.
Here are some ways to boost your WiFi speed.

1) Move closer to your WiFi router

The distance between the router and your

devices will impact WiFi speed. Moving your
devices closer to the router will ensure a better
connection.

2) Find a good spot for your WiFi router

Place your WiFi router in a central, open location

to maximize signal coverage. Furthermore, keep
it away from other electronics that may cause
interference, such as microwaves, refrigerators,
and cordless phones.

3) Update your WiFi router’s firmware

Firmware improvements can fix annoying bugs,

help your router maintain optimal performance,
and sometimes even add support for faster
speed
4) Change the WiFi channel

If you have a dual-band router (e.g. TP-Link

Archer C7), you can switch the router from a 2.4
GHz WiFi channel to 5 GHz for faster speed and
less interference. If your router is limited to 2.4
GHz, try to change to a fixed channel 1, 6, or 11.

5) Prioritize your network traffic with QoS

Gaming, video calls, and movie streaming

consume a lot of bandwidth. If your router (e.g.
TP-Link Archer C4000) supports the QoS (Quality
of Service) feature, you can prioritize the
internet traffic of specific online activities, such
as gaming or streaming. Activities set as high
priority will be allocated more bandwidth and run
smoothly even when there is heavy traffic on the
network.

6) Use the latest WiFi technology

New WiFi technology always increases WiFi

speed. WiFi 6—based on the next-generation
802.11ax WiFi technology—achieves 3× faster
speed, 75% lower latency, and 4× greater
capacity for client devices. If there are many
devices accessing the internet in your home, an
802.11ax router is almost certainly your best
choice.

Wi-Fi Hotspots-

If you’ve ever tried to answer an email or surf

the Internet from your mobile device in public—
or even at the office or your house—chances are
you connected to a Wi-Fi hotspot. Not only is this
connection highly convenient, you also didn’t
have to use your smartphone’s data. Not
surprisingly, hotspots are becoming an essential
part of public infrastructure—and our Internet
experience.
Millions of people every day connect to public
hotspots for their data needs. By some
estimates, there are almost 200 million hotspots
around the world, and there will be one hotspot
for every 20 people on earth by 2018. Thanks to
our modern always-on digital lifestyle, people
expect to be constantly connected, and public
Wi-Fi access points are expanding to a global
network of hotspots to meet those needs.
Terminology
Before we dive in to how to connect to a hotspot
and related security issues, let’s define what we
mean. While some people use the terms
“hotspot” and “mobile hotspot”
interchangeably, they have distinct meanings.

 Hotspot: A hotspot is a physical location

where people can access the Internet,
typically using Wi-Fi, via a wireless local area
network (WLAN) with a router connected to
an Internet service provider. Most people
refer to these locations as “Wi-Fi hotspots”
or “Wi-Fi connections.” Simply put, hotspots
are the physical places where users can
wirelessly connect their mobile devices, such
as smartphones and tablets, to the Internet.
A hotspot can be in a private location or a
public one, such as in a coffee shop, a hotel,
an airport, or even an airplane. While many
public hotspots offer free wireless access on
 an open network, others require payment.
Later in the article you’ll learn how to
connect a mobile device to a Wi-Fi hotspot.
 Mobile hotspot: A mobile hotspot
(sometimes called a portable hotspot) is a
hotspot that’s just that—mobile! While a
“regular” Wi-Fi hotspot is tied to a physical
location, you can create a mobile hotspot by
using your smartphone’s data connection to
connect your laptop to the Internet. This
process is called “tethering.” More on this
process later.
You should also know these terms when
you’re talking about Wi-Fi hotspots.
 Access point (wireless access point): A
wireless access point (WAP) is a networking
device that allows a Wi-Fi compliant device
to connect to a wired network. The WAP can
either be physically connected to a router or
be integrated into the router itself. A WAP is
not a hotspot, which is the physical location
where Wi-Fi access to a WLAN is available.
 Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi is the technology that allows
your smartphone or computer to access the
Internet through a wireless connection. It
uses radio signals to send and receive data
between your enabled device and the WAP.
 SSID: A service set identifier (more
commonly known as an SSID) is the unique
name of a wireless network. You’ll need to
know the name of the wireless network to
connect to it. Your computer or smartphone
can search for available wireless networks;
often people name their network for easy
identification—anything from “Bob’s phone”
to “hotel guests” to “Get off my LAN.”
Now that you understand some of the terms
associated with hotspots, let’s learn how to
connect to them.
How to Connect to a Wi-Fi Hotspot
You probably connect your smartphone or laptop
to the Internet via several Wi-Fi hotspots
throughout your day, whether you’re at your
office, in your home, or at public locations like
coffee shops and airports. Using hotspots is an
easy way to keep connected to your busy life.
Connecting to a wireless hotspot is a simple
process. Let’s use your smartphone as an
example. You want to answer an email at the
airport while you’re waiting for your flight, and
you don’t want to use your data. You can set
your smartphone to notify you when it’s in range
of a wireless network, or you can find wireless
networks through your phone’s settings. The
steps you need to follow to connect to the Wi-Fi
hotspot will depend on the device—Android*,
iPhone*, or another brand—but here is an
overview.

1.Click the wireless icon on your device to see

the names of nearby wireless networks.
Select a wireless network; in some cases,
you might also have to click “Connect.”
2.Enter the security key or the password. Most
wireless networks are secured and require a
password to accept a connection. Some
networks are unsecured or open and do not
require a password; you should take care
when accessing them as they could introduce
a security risk.
 3.Select the network type (home, work, or
public, if you are on a Windows* device).
Choosing the network type will establish a
security level appropriate for your location. If
you select “home” or “work,” your device
will be discoverable to other devices. Be sure
to select “public” if you are in a public
location like a coffee shop, hotel, restaurant,
airport, and other similar locations.

Voilà! You’ll be online in a flash.

Depending on where you are and the types of
hotspots near you, you may be on either an
open, unsecured wireless network or a
paid/commercial wireless network. You may be
asked to sign up for an account or use a paid
service like Boingo* or iPass*, which offer various
Wi-Fi access plans depending on how much time
you plan use the Internet.
Let’s say, though, that you can’t find a Wi-Fi
hotspot nearby. Read on to learn how you can
use your smartphone as a portable hotspot.
Using Your Smartphone as a Mobile Hotspot
If you’re in a location that doesn’t have a
hotspot and you want to connect your laptop to
the Internet, you can use your phone as a mobile
Wi-Fi hotspot through a process called
“tethering.” This allows your laptop to access
the Internet and share your smartphone’s data
connection.
While the set-up steps vary depending on your
smartphone and your Internet service provider,
you can usually find the instructions in your
phone’s Settings or Manage Connections menu.
For security, you’ll want to make sure that you
use a Wi-Fi password so that nearby Internet
users can’t access your phone or laptop. Also, be
aware that tethering your laptop to your phone
will use your phone’s data allowance; so be sure
to keep an eye on your usage to avoid any
overage fees.
Now that you’re connected, that’s it, right? Well,
not exactly. You should be aware that while
using Wi-Fi hotspots is a convenient way to stay
connected with work, family, and friends.
Hotspot connectivity also presents some security
risks.
Hotspot Security
One of the risks of being connected to the
Internet is that the very technologies that help
us keep up with our work and personal lives can
be vulnerable to hackers and identity thieves.
When looking for a public Wi-Fi hotspot, be sure
to connect your smartphone or laptop only to
reputable providers—for example, the hotel’s or
coffee shop’s wireless network. Be wary about
connecting to hotspots that have misspellings
such as Bongo instead of Boingo, as hackers
sometimes use these seemingly innocent names
to lure busy users who aren’t paying close
attention.
It’s also possible for hackers to distribute
malware (software that can damage or disable
your computer) through an unsecured Wi-Fi
connection, especially if you are using a file-
sharing program over the same network.
Virtual Private Network (VPN)
If you have security concerns about using a
public Wi-Fi hotspot, you could consider creating
a virtual private network (VPN), which allows you
to use to the Internet through an encrypted
connection. While this can deter hackers because
your data is encrypted, be aware that it will slow
down your Internet access because of the
processing power required to encrypt and
decrypt your transmitted data.
Find a VPN Solution that Works
If you’re interested in using a VPN to safeguard
yourself online:

 Invest in a monthly service. This is one of the

most commonly used solutions. Make sure to
do your research before you buy.
 Consider purchasing a VPN-enabled router.
There are several models on the market that
make setting up your own VPN easy.

With more than 9 billion Wi-Fi-enabled mobile

devices expected to be in use by the end of the
year, the importance of hotspots and Wi-Fi in our
lives really can’t be overstated.

Satellite Internet-

Satellite Internet connects users to the web

through three separate satellite dishes; one
suspended in space, one stationed at the
internet service provider’s hub, and one
attached to your property.

Unlike traditional internet connections that rely

on underground wiring, Satellite Internet allows
you to access the world wide web by sending a
wireless signal from a dish fixed to your property
to a geosynchronous satellite in space. The
signal beams back to your internet provider’s
network access point and transmits back to your
dish, modem, and finally, your computer,
connecting you to the internet completely
wirelessly.

Just as you would with any other type of internet

connection, you can use Satellite Internet for all
of your regular online activities ranging from
downloading and streaming to uploading and
gaming. Satellite Internet connections require a
modem and a router for in-home Wi-Fi service,
and of course, a stationary satellite dish
installed to the exterior of your home.

How does Satellite Internet work?

As mentioned above, the Satellite Internet signal

transmits to a satellite fixed above the equator
and then to your home dish, and back and forth
as needed. All that’s required is a clear view of
the southern sky and the right equipment which
most Satellite Internet providers will install for
free.

What about the travel lag?

Satellite Internet’s round trip journey of some

90,000 miles—or longer depending on your
latitude—creates a latency, or signal delay,
which could make real-time communication like
Skype calls difficult. Fortunately, most other
transmissions
Satellite Internet
 What are the pros and cons of
Satellite Internet?

While Satellite Internet is often the best (and

sometimes the only) option in some locations, it
comes with its own selection of unique
challenges that you may not otherwise face if
you were to opt for a DSL or Cable internet
connection. While Satellite Internet is still
evolving and improving, the technology still
lacks the speeds and bandwidth capabilities of
Cable and Fiber Optic internet. However, there
are a number of valuable upsides of furnishing
your home with a Satellite connection. Let’s take
a closer look at the advantages and
disadvantages of Satellite Internet.

Advantages of Satellite Internet

 Speed: You can expect speeds faster than a

standard dial-up connection and comparable
to DSL internet with a Satellite Internet
service provider.

 Coverage: Because Satellite is completely

wireless, this internet type is available
virtually everywhere across the nation, even
on boats and RVs. No matter how rural your
residence, you can count on being able to
access the web via Satellite connection.
  Reliability: Compared to popular terrestrial
internet types like cable or DSL, you’re far
less likely to experience network outages
with a Satellite connection.

Disadvantages of Satellite Internet

 Weather vulnerability: The weather your

location experiences can affect the signal
path of a Satellite Internet setup. Whether
it’s heavy rain, snow, or strong wind, the
signal could be interrupted due to climatic
factors out of your control.

 VPN incompatibility: Unfortunately, virtual

private networks (VPNs) are not compatible
with Satellite Internet. VPNs require high
bandwidth capacity for functional uploading
and downloading and require low latency—
two essentials you will not be able to retain
with a Satellite connection.

 High latency: Latency issues (delays in the

internet connection) often occur due to the
distance the signal must travel to foster a
web connection—rendering broadband-heavy
applications (i.e. video-gaming, video-
chatting, 4K streaming, etc.) slow and laggy.

What is the best Satellite Internet?

 As of 2021, there are two primary household
Satellite Internet providers to choose from in the
United States: Viasat and HughesNet. Viasat is
the premier option if you’re in need of fast
download speeds and high data capacity.
With Viasat, you can choose between varied plan
options, manageable monthly prices, and
attractive web speeds for all of your online
needs.

HughesNet, on the other hand, is better known

for offering no-fuss internet plans. You can
expect more standardized pricing that forgoes
any sudden price hikes that may catch you off
guard shortly after signing your contract.
With HughesNet, you can enjoy speeds up to 25
Mbps, no matter which plan you choose.

How fast is Satellite Internet?

Satellite has come a long way in recent years. In

the past, home Satellite Internet used to be
exceptionally slow, offering sluggish speeds of
approximately 750 Kbps. When it comes to
internet speed, wired connections tend to yield
the fastest upload and download speeds simply
because the signal is able to travel an
uninterrupted pathway. Satellite Internet signals
have to travel much further than wired internet
connections do which typically results to lower
speeds.
Thanks to many advancements made to improve
Satellite efficiency, users can expect speeds up
to 100 Mbps, depending on your provider.

Satellite Internet installation

Satellite Internet requires a different installation

than the typical installation process you’d expect
with a cable internet or DSL setup. You'll need to
either purchase or lease a satellite dish from
your chosen provider and you’ll need to either
buy or rent a modem. In most cases, your service
provider will give you a few options ahead of
your installation. Because Satellite dishes are
relatively permanent fixtures, arranging for their
installation with your provider is generally much
simpler if you own the property. Dish installation
as a renter typically requires some form of
agreement between you and your property that
ensures the installation and removal of the
satellite dish will not result in any permanent
damage. Be sure to check with your provider for
their specific policies on this as well. Once
you’ve arranged for an installation appointment,
a certified technician will arrive at your home
and take care of the rest. Certified technicians
are specially trained to determine the optimal
location for your satellite dish and securely
attach it to your home.