BROADBAND INTERNET CONNECTION COIMBATORE

(NC)-We are in the information age dominated by an on-demand knowledge society. Canada is one of the most connected countries in the world and the Internet has become so central to our lives that many people can't do their work or stay in touch without it.

In short, today's world demands high-speed Internet access.


And the demand for speed is growing as the Internet becomes an essential part of modern life and new bandwidth-hungry services, applications and devices are rolled out.


But what if you're among the more than 7.5 million Canadians in rural and remote communities who don't have cable or DSL high-speed broadband access? Typically, these areas of the country have been underserved by the simple fact that the economics of a land-based system will never justify mass deployment.


Fortunately, there is a solution for many of these remote residents - a high-speed satellite Internet service offered by Bell ExpressVu's DirecPC. Essentially, the system uses the same Bell ExpressVu satellite dish as the Bell ExpressVu TV service, but works independently from the satellite receiver to deliver data to your computer.


How fast is satellite Internet? DirecPC features download speeds of up to 400 kbps - that's up to seven times faster than a traditional 56k modem.


In every day terms, that means users can download a 4MB audio file in 60-70 seconds compared with over 19 minutes using a 56K modem. Or download a 1MB video file in a little over 16 seconds compared with almost 5 minutes using a 56K modem.


It's a broadband Internet access service that is always on and is available to anyone, anywhere in Canada with a phone line and a local Internet Service Provider.


Increasingly, high-speed Internet is becoming a must-have service. According to Canada's National Broadband Task Force, the vast majority of Canadians are going to require high-speed Internet access to use new online services from governments and businesses that are increasingly placing information and products on secure Web sites. All aspects of our society are being altered by the availability of the Internet to the point that e-business and e-learning are seen by many as crucial to the development of our economy.


Without high-speed access, the benefits of these new services are generally restricted to Canadians living in the largest urban areas of the country. DirecPC satellite, however, levels the playing field for those living in remote or rural areas.

One of the most incredible inventions I’ve ever come across is the web cam and its process of video conferencing. This is just so futuristic I can’t believe they really exist and are readily available to anyone with the Internet, speakers, and the right software. I’m not absolutely sure but doesn’t this spell the end of telephones? Now we can have conversations with people on the other side of the world, and see their face moving as we hear them speaking live.



Picture this: You’re an Antarctic explorer on a solo journey in the middle of the ice and snow on your way to the South Pole. The only living creatures around are the slippery penguins sliding around having fun. You’re in your special tent keeping safe from the intense wind from the blizzard outside. As you boil up water on your portable stove you flip open your laptop (with battery recharger, broadband Internet, and in-built speakers) and connect with your family back in Russia. You can see their smiles as you hear them speak. What a magical connection!



Another great aspect of video conferencing is the fact that you can communicate with whole groups of people at once either through networking a group of computers or by form of broadcast. This is a huge step forward for both companies and for schools. I’ve heard corporations have saved a lot of money and time, and students are enjoying learning this way much more than from a textbook. Informed people can talk to classes and help them learn, where otherwise they wouldn’t be able to because of time and distance restrictions. This is also a bonus for children who have different learning styles. E.G. The more visual types who understand better when they can see what they’re working with.



Feasibly, a surgeon in Japan could watch an operation in Australia and even ask the doctor in progress questions about procedures. It’s obvious that video conferencing will both help humans evolve further through the sharing of knowledge as well as keep loved ones more connected when they are far from home.



A lot of people who are either fascinated or obsessed with sex will also tell you about the benefits of this technology for their voyeuristic purposes, but I’m not going to go there. Science Fiction has once again turned to reality, and I hope we can truly make the most of this invention created by humans who wish to make society a better place.

As broadband Internet becomes more mainstream, one of the most common questions we get is: which is better, cable or dsl?
The answer to that question is not so definite. Many factors come into play when deciding which high-speed connection to choose. Regardless of which you choose (DSL, Cable, or even Satellite) it's going to be a ton better (and faster) than that ancient dialup modem you've been using. Not to mention, your Internet experience will be much more enjoyable.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)

Just like your existing dialup modem, DSL uses your existing copper wire phone line to deliver data at high speed. To qualify for DSL, you need the following:

- a phone line

- a DSL modem (which normally comes with the service)

- an Ethernet card or an available USB port ( most DSL modems allow both connections, but Ethernet is recommended).

- a phone company (ISP) that is offering DSL service (e.g., Verizon)

One important factor that will influence your DSL connection is the distance between your home or office and the phone company's central office. The farther away you are from the central office, the signal becomes weaker, thus a slower connection. With that said, DSL is not as available widespread compared to cable. You'll need to contact your local phone provider to check availability.

Speed wise, depending on the package you choose, DSL can range from 128 kbps to 3 Mbps. Generally, the faster your connection the more expensive your service will be. You can expect to pay around $25-$30 a month for a 768 kbps connection, which is roughly 13 times faster than a 56k dialup modem.

::Pros::
- Relatively cheaper than cable
- Dedicated line, so speeds are almost guaranteed
- You can talk on the phone at the same time while surfing the net

::Cons::
- Slower speeds compared to cable
- Speeds drop the farther away your home/office is from the central office
- Not available in all areas

Cable Internet

Cable Internet gets our recommendation. Cable, which you can probably already tell, uses the coaxial cable that your television uses. To qualify for cable internet, you need the following:

- a cable modem ( which normally comes with the service)

- an Ethernet card or an available USB port (most cable modems allow both connections, but Ethernet is recommended)

- a cable company offering cable Internet (e.g., Adelphia)

Unlike DSL, cable Internet does not depend on the distance between your home or office and the central office. However, unlike DSL, cable connections are typically shared among your neighbors. Although, most cable companies provide pipelines with huge bandwidth that this rarely becomes an issue.

Speed wise, cable Internet typically ranges from 3 Mbps to 10 Mbps, up to 3-4 times faster than DSL. However, expect to pay more for the service - $40-$50 per month.

::Pros::
- Faster speeds than DSL
- More widespread than DSL
- Distance does not affect speed

::Cons::
- More expensive than DSL
- Line is shared with other users


With all that said, you need to think about what type of user you are. If you are a heavy Internet user and downloader, you would highly benefit from a broadband connection. For the light users who use the Internet just to check emails, are probably better off with a dialup. However, if you are willing to splurge some cash on a broadband connection, then by all means, upgrade!

Most people making predictions about the future never face accountability for their erroneous or vague forecasts.


"Experts" predict future developments, especially online, and only follow up if they happen to hit correctly.

I, however, will gladly hold myself accountable for the following forecast of exciting developments that will revolutionize use of the Internet for all of us within the next twelve to thirty six months.

Entertainment

Download movies through your computer? YES.

With more than 50% of all online access in the U.S. now at broadband speed, the infrastructure for downloading movies exists. Combine that with the availability of cheap CD- burners, TiVo, and portable players like the new Sony PSP, and all the ingredients now exist for movies on-demand over the Internet.

Live performances by famous and unknown artists? YES.

Emerging talents will get "discovered" by the popular culture through live broadcasts, "Podcasting" and other "events" over the Internet.

"Podcasting" in particular will drive the social network effect of people passing along new music and content to friends.

Business
True freedom and mobility through video conferencing? NO.

About 3 years ago, I predicted that individuals providing personal services such as bookkeeping, accounting, writing, computer programming or other consulting functions would use inexpensive and highly portable video conferencing access and equipment to provide face-to-face personal interaction.

I was wrong. People have discovered that, with some things, it's just plain easier to pick up the phone and talk to someone.

I now doubt that more traditional functions like this will adopt video conferencing.

The "little guy" will get completely swallowed up by big business? NO.

Enhancements in technology will allow creative and innovative companies to compete on a scale with enormous companies.

New ideas, innovations and the ability to bring them to market quickly through powerful online channels will dictate the initial success or failure in business.

However, once the business gets established, the "little guy" will always lose to the "business" that operates like a business.

Companies large and small learned how to market online correctly in the last few years, so now long-term success directly relates to the ability to operate like a business, not a "lone gun" operating from an Internet connection in a spare room.

Social
An increasing feeling of loneliness and isolation for people who work online? YES.

It rates much easier for people to retreat into a "virtual" world, filled with virtual friends and relationships, than to face reality in the offline world.

I think this trend of psychic disconnect will continue until people realize they need a balance of offline friends and interests too.

Three general developments will drive this next wave of technological innovation: faster, cheaper computer processors; increased access to broadband Internet; and cheap data storage devices with huge capacity.

I also think one of the most important developments to watch in the next year involves any portable device that allows the user to take digital media with them.

In particular, portable MP3 players and portable digital video players, present the most exciting and explosive possibilities for growth.