Cable internet providers

How do cable Internet providers operate? A cable will link the PC to the Internet through a digital cable TV line. In this, no telephone line is required. It is a dedicated connection between the computer and the cable company?s network and as a result, you get always-on, high-speed Internet access through digital cable. In such a system, customers can enjoy speed that can even go up to 100 times faster than typical dialup connections.

Cable Internet providers equip a customer with an Ethernet card that receives bursts of high-speed information from the cable line and translates this data in a way that the computer system understands it. While there are some cable Internet providers, who provide an Ethernet card and the cable modem with the service, there are others who require the customer to buy the equipment.

The set up in such a service is such that the customer will be able to go online and also watch TV at the same time. This is because cable Internet providers are able to transmit television signals and the Internet information through the cable at different frequencies.

There are two basic types of cable Internet. They are external and internal. External is easier to install and can be further subdivided in to Ethernet and USB. USB is convenient and works well however, Ethernet is more stable and efficient. If it is USB connection, you will need to have a USB port in the computer.

Here are a few of the biggest cable Internet providers.

• Road Runner
• Cox Communications
• Charter Communications
• MetroCast OnLine
• Susquehanna Communications
• ATT ChoiceLink
• ATT SelectLink
• ATT Broadband UltraLink
• Midcontinent Communications
• Digital Media CableSpeed
• RCN
• CableOne
• Insight Broadband
• Galaxy Cablevision
• Knology Broadband
• Mediacom Online
• Adelphia Communications
• Comcast
• WideOpenWest
• Cablevision Optimum Online

However not all people can get cable Internet. Older cable television systems need to be upgraded to make it available. You will only get the Internet if you are getting digital cable. So you will need to contact your cable television company to find out whether you can get cable Internet.