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ISP connection methods

Figure 3.4 shows the way in which companies or home users connect to the Internet. The 

diagram is greatly simplified in that there are several tiers of ISPs. A user may connect to 

one ISP which will then transfer the request to another ISP which is connected to the main 

Internet backbone.

 High-  speed broadband is now the dominant home access method rather than the previ-

ously popular 

dial-up connection

.

However, companies should remember that there are significant numbers of Internet 

users who have the slower dial-up access. Ofcom (2010) reported that the proportion of 

individuals with access to broadband services in the UK is 71% (fixed broadband 65% and 

mobile broadband 15%).

Broadband

 commonly uses a technology known as ADSL or asymmetric digital sub-

scriber line, which means that the traditional phone line can be used for digital data trans-

fer. It is asymmetric since download speeds are typically higher than upload speeds. Small 

and medium businesses can also benefit from faster continuous access than was previously 

possible.

The higher speeds available through broadband together with a continuous always-on 

connection have already transformed use of the Internet. Information access is more rapid 

and it becomes more practical to access richer content such as digital video.