Cable Internet / Modems
The term cable Internet access refers to the delivery of Internet service over this infrastructure. The proliferation of cable modems, along with DSL technology, has enabled broadband Internet access in many countries. Bandwidth of business cable modem service typically range from 3 Megabits per second (Mbit/s) up to 30 Mbit/s or more. The upstream bandwidth on residential cable modem service usually ranges from 384 Kilobits per second (kbit/s) to 6 Mbit/s or more. There are few attempts to offer different service tiers beyond the traditional 'home' and 'business' designations. In comparison, DSL tends to offer less speed and more variance between service packages and prices. Service quality is also far more dependent on the client's location in relation to the telephone company's nearest central office or Remote Terminal. There are two potential disadvantages to cable internet: Like all residential broadband network technologies (e.g. DSL, FTTX, Satellite internet, WiMAX), a fixed amount of bandwidth is shared by a population of users (in the case of cable internet, users in a neighborhood share the available bandwidth provided by a single coaxial cable line). Therefore, connection speed can vary depending on how many people are using the service at the same time. This arrangement allows the network operator to take advantage of statistical multiplexing in order to provide an adequate level of service at an acceptable price. However, the operator has to monitor usage patterns, and scale the network appropriately, to ensure that customers receive adequate service even during peak usage times. Many cable Internet providers are reluctant to offer cable modem access without tying it to a cable television subscription. They do this by charging higher rates, say $40/month for cable modem only access, than if one bundles it with a cable TV plan where it might be $30/month for cable modem service plus $20/month for cable TV service. This has ramifications similar to those of the lack of naked DSL. However, some cable internet access providers who resell access from cable companies, such as Earthlink, are generally not subject to these higher rates.