Satellite Networking
- Provides internet access via communication between Earth and satellites in space.
- Useful for remote locations where traditional connectivity is unavailable.
- Cost: More expensive than terrestrial options due to infrastructure requirements.
- Speeds: Typically 100 Mbps download and 5 Mbps
upload.
- Latency: Traditional satellite networks have high latency (~500 ms round-trip) due
to signal travel distance.
- Starlink (newer satellite network) reduces latency to 25–60 ms by
using lower-orbit satellites.
- Challenges:
- Line-of-sight requirement: Obstructions (e.g., buildings, trees) can
disrupt connectivity.
- Rain fade: Heavy storms degrade signal quality.
Fiber Optic Connections
- Uses light signals transmitted through fiber-optic cables for high-speed data
transfer.
- Advantages:
- Supports large data volumes over long distances.
- More efficient than copper for wide area networks (WANs).
- Commonly used in metropolitan networks (e.g., SONET rings,
multi-wavelength connections).
- Cost: Higher than copper due to equipment and repair
expenses.
- Deployment: Increasingly available for residential use, often
converted to copper inside homes.
Cable Internet (DOCSIS)
- Uses coaxial cable (same as cable TV) to deliver internet via
broadband technology.
- DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification): Standard for data
transmission over cable networks.
- Speeds: Ranges from 50 Mbps to 1 Gbps+, depending on DOCSIS
version.
- Advantages:
- Supports multiple services (internet, TV, voice) on a single cable.
- Uses frequency division to transmit different data types simultaneously.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL/ADSL)
- Provides internet over telephone lines using DSL or ADSL
(Asymmetric DSL).
- Asymmetric speeds: Faster download (200 Mbps) than upload
(20 Mbps).
- Distance limitations: Performance degrades beyond 10,000 feet from
the central office.
Cellular Networks
- Uses mobile phone infrastructure (cell towers) to provide internet access.
- Tethering: Connects a single device to the internet via a mobile phone.
- Mobile hotspot: Allows multiple devices to share a phone’s internet connection.
- Check with carrier for availability and potential additional costs.
Wireless Internet Service Providers (WISPs)
- Ideal for remote areas without traditional internet options.
- Setup: Requires an antenna for connectivity to the WISP network.
- Technologies:
- 802.11 mesh networks (Wi-Fi-based).
- 5G home internet (via mobile providers).
- Proprietary wireless solutions.
- Speeds: Typically 10–1,000 Mbps, depending on technology and
location.