A major advantage of broadband or high speed internet access that it is "always on." In addition, choosing broadband internet service will allow you to explore the full potential of the web. It will give you access to a whole new world of entertainment of rich media content such as film, music and interactive presentations.

Moreover, high speed internet access allows faster download times than a standard dial up connection, which can take hours to download large files such as software updates or music files. With broadband internet service, you can download large files, movies, software updates, music and films in a matter of minutes, if not seconds!

Furthermore, high speed internet access does not have to be expensive, either. With broadband, you are able to sign up for a set monthly subscription. You can use your broadband connection as much as you want, day or night, without having to worry about additional call charges and unexpectedly large phone bills.

There are several types of high speed internet access: satellite DSL, VoIP, satellite internet, T1, DS-3 and Frame Relay. Below describes and defines each type of broadband service.

What is Satellite DSL?

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) is a technology that delivers high bandwidth information to homes and businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines. DSL refers to different variations of DSL, such as ADSL, HDSL and RADSL. A DSL line can carry both data and voice signals and the data part of the line is continously connected.

What is VoIP?

VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) is a term used in IP telephony for a set of facilities for managing the delivery of voice information using the Internet Protocol. Basically, VoIP entails sending voice information in digital form in discrete packets rather than the usual protocols of the telephone network. A major advantage of VoIP is that it allows the user to avoid toll charges issued by telephone companies.

What is Satellite Internet?

Satellite internet is an arrangement in which the outgoing and incoming data are sent from, and arrive at, a computer through a satellite. Each subscriber's hardware includes a satellite dish antenna and a transceiver that operates in the microwave portion of the radio spectrum.

What is T1?

T1 (T-1) sometimes referred to as DS1 lines, is a dedicated phone connection supporting data rates of 1.544 megabits per second (Mbps). A T-1 line actually consists of 24 individual channels, each supporting 64Kbits per second. Each 64Kbit / second channel can be configured to carry voice or data traffic. Most telephone companies will allow you to buy some individual channels, known as fractional T-1 access. Most small to mid-sized colleges and businesses have T-1 lines for internet connections.

What is DS-3?

DS-3, sometimes referred to as T-3 lines, is a dedicated phone connection supporting data rates of about 43 Mbps. A T-3 line actually consists of 672 individual channels, each supporting 64 Kbps. T-3 lines are used mainly by Internet Service Providers (ISP) connecting to the internet backbone and for the backbone itself. Cognigen Dedicated is a provider of DS-3 (T-3) access.

What is Frame Relay?

Frame Relay is a packet-switching protocol for connecting devices on a Wide Area Network (WAN). Frame Relay networks in the U.S.A. support data transfer rates at T-1 (1.544 Mbps) and T-3 (45 Mbps) speeds. Frame Relay can be thought of as a way of utilizing existing T-1 and T-3 lines owned by a service provider. Most telephone companies now provide Frame Relay service for users who want connections at 56 Kbps to T-1 speeds. Cognigen Dedicated is a provider of Frame Relay.