Well put on your sunglasses and seatbelts, because there is a bright future. The hardware side of technology has made, and will continue to make, significant advances in the future.

But although Internet use is increasing at outstanding rates, the lack of bandwidth is stifling the growth rate. Some experts say that the demand for bandwidth continues to grow about three times faster than the increase in bandwidth supply. Still, as Internet use increases, more methods of connecting to the Internet with greater bandwidth are being developed. An increase in bandwidth means Internet users will get much more and pay less.

What is Bandwidth Anyway?
Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted in a fixed amount of time. Generally, bandwidth is expressed in bits per second (bps). However, most people measure bandwidth by how much information arrives in front of them and how quickly. The bottom line is more bandwidth results in greater speed.

Think of it this way: the Internet is like a highway. At any given moment, only a certain number of vehicles can be on the highway. During rush hour, more cars are on the roads and traffic slows down. The bottom line is that there are too many vehicles and not enough roads and highways. It is a similar scenario when the Internet has too much data flowing and not enough bandwidth.

One way to increase bandwidth is to change the method of connecting to the Internet, for example the modem. However, a faster connection method does not always solve the problem, because many other factors may affect bandwidth. For instance, if an individual typically connects to an ISP, the way the ISP manages the available bandwidth will have a direct impact on the connection speed.

Currently, there are six general methods of connecting to the Internet:

• POTS (Plain old telephone service)
• ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
• Cable Modem
• DSL (Digital Subscriber Line and various forms of DSL)
• Wireless
• T1/Frame Relay

Each type of connection has advantages and disadvantages. Often, the largest issue to consider is availability. Unfortunately, this issue alone sometimes limits the choices.

POTS
POTS is widely available, and thus, a common way of connecting to the Internet. This type of connection is generally fine for a casual user with patience. POTS can have speeds up to 56Kbps, however, most users will likely experience a 40Kbps to 50Kbps connection. The quality of the phone lines will have a direct impact on bandwidth. This connection type is not very good for videoconferencing, multimedia applications, or large file transfers.

• Advantages: Inexpensive and generally available
• Disadvantages: Slow
• Bandwidth: Up to 56Kbps

ISDN - Integrated Services Digital Network
ISDN allows individuals to simultaneously transfer voice, video, and data at speeds much faster than the fastest analog modems (POTS). An ISDN connection will require a special modem along with a line that can support ISDN. ISDN is not available everywhere and the telephone company must have the necessary equipment to support ISDN. ISDN is a digital service and it is very sensitive to outside interference.

• Advantages: Widely available, equipment and protocols are standard, frees up telephone line.
• Disadvantages: Generally fees must be paid to phone company and ISP
• Bandwidth: Up to 128Kbps

Cable
Connecting to the Internet via cable is becoming very popular for residential users. It requires a special modem, which uses the coaxial cable TV line to send and receive data.

This service is still not available in many areas because most cable infrastructures require massive upgrading before users can send and receive data. When using cable as a means of connecting to the Internet, users are on a shared cable modem network. Therefore, as the number of users online increases, the available bandwidth decreases. As a result, it is very difficult to measure actual bandwidth that will be available since the amount depends on how many are using the shared cable modem network at any given point in time.

As long as the computer is on, the Internet connection is always available and it will not be necessary to log on. On the downside, this poses a security issue. Since the user is part of a shared cable modem network, all of the devices connected to the network can talk to and listen to each other.

• Advantages: Fast, inexpensive, continuously connected, and frees up telephone line.
• Disadvantages: Not widely available. Extra security issues with shared bandwidth.
• Bandwidth: Theoretically up to 30Mbps, Reality around 2Mbps.

DSL Digital Subscriber Line
DSL is a copper loop transmission technology that uses ordinary copper telephone lines. Basically, DSL exploits unused frequencies without interfering with voice transmissions.

DSL is a generic term that includes several variations which include: ADSL, HDSL, IDSL, R-ADSL, SDSL, and VDSL. This technology offers users a choice of bandwidths so the prices will vary.

A DSL line can carry both voice and data signals and is continuously connected to the Internet. This means that users can use the line for voice communications, while they use the DSL service for Internet access. Also, since it is up 24 hours a day, it provides additional options such as running servers.

• Advantages: Fast and uses existing phone lines. Cost effective
• Disadvantages: Not widely available. Distance from phone center affects speed.
• Bandwidth: Up to 8Mbps

Wireless
Wireless is not the most popular method to connect to the Internet, but I believe it will be the ultimate winner for Internet users and businesses. It may take a while though. Unlike POTS, cable, and other types of connections mentioned earlier, there are various forms of wireless Internet connections, which include:

• Satellite
• Microwave
• Cellular
• Radio

The so-called Satellite Internet connection is a bit misleading when it comes to wireless Internet connections, because it is not truly wireless - at least not yet. A phone line is still needed.

Requests are made over the phone line, which connects to an ISP. The ISP then transfers requests to an operations center, which then retrieves the information based on the original request. Once the operation center receives the information it passes it to the satellite and the satellite shoots it down to individual satellites.

This might seem like a long process, but it is actually quite fast. The good news is that two-way high-speed access is probably on the way in the near future.

The other three forms of wireless Internet connections use base stations. The bandwidth varies and of course, so does the price and equipment. It all comes back to requirements. The technology is still in the infancy stage and there is not a set standard.

Nevertheless, for many this arrangement is great, especially if it is the only way to get high speed Internet access, or if the other methods are too expensive. Consider an office in a downtown metropolitan area. Since wireless Internet services can deliver large bandwidth without using conventional methods, it is a feasible means of networking an office building. Although the equipment may be more expensive, the cost to wire the office building must be considered. Moving to another location may also be a solution.

• Advantages: Good for rural locations.
• Disadvantages: Generally need direct line of sight. Typically, hardware is more expensive.
• Bandwidth: Satellite - Up to 400Kbps.

Other wireless forms vary widely. Claims are as high as 11Mbps. Depends on equipment and distance.

T1/Frame Relay
Availability is generally not an issue with this option. The problem is that it is expensive. T1 and Frame relays are typically in traditional offices with many users. It is also easier for network administrators to maintain operability and security of a T1 connection rather than maintaining individual dialup accounts.

• Advantages: Available and fast
• Disadvantages: Expensive
• Bandwidth: Up to 1.5Mbps

It is difficult to decide which type of technology to implement, and even more difficult to choose a good ISP. Keep in mind that not all ISP's support every method to connect to the Internet. It is important to complete a need and cost benefit analysis, and consult with others experienced in this area. To reduce some frustration check out www.thelist.com. The site provides a great deal of information regarding ISP's and the technology they support.

The Internet has changed the world - and it is not over yet. Bandwidth is the life-blood of the Internet and as it increases, the Internet will continue to get faster. Imagine an unlimited amount of bandwidth. Video rental stores would most likely disappear. Distance learning would become much more popular. Many industries would be forced to change their methods of operation to survive. When the supply of bandwidth begins to catch up with the demand, Internet use at this time will seem trivial.