According to Microsoft Network's web site 'Computing Central', the definition of broadband is "A high-capacity communications circuit/path. It usually implies a speed greater than 1.544Mbps."

In other words, using broadband technology to connect to the Internet will allow you to gain much faster connection speeds than traditional 28.8k or 56k analog modem rates. In fact, it is possible to reach connection speeds from 144kps up to 10Mbps (1000kps = 1Mbps), with some technologies, in ideal conditions. That is more than 150 times faster than your current standard connection! However, these are new technologies and the ideal conditions for the top end speeds are rarely achieved.

Nonetheless, we are experiencing the first part of a trend that will create a shift from what we all currently experience on the Internet to more interactive, multimedia-rich content. And, because these connections are "always on", we will find the Internet moving deeper and deeper into our everyday lives.

Of course, all the monster sized media conglomerates are investing enormous sums of money, buying up new technology companies and hedging their bets on what the market will eventually select as their broadband medium of choice. This has lead to three general broadband mediums fighting to become the standard for future Internet access; Cable, Phone and Wireless.

As you suspected, cable modems achieve faster speeds by using their cable lines instead of phone lines. Prices vary from $40/month to $150/month. Cable companies claim speeds of 10Mbps but 300kps to 500kps is much more realistic. This is still much faster than your current 56kps modem. One of the major disadvantages to cable access is that you share a connection with all the other households in your cable network. So, as your neighbors get online, your connection will quickly slow down, even below current standard modem rates with enough other users in your community.

Phone companies are developing a different technology called Digital Subscriber Line (DSL). While this technology uses existing copper phone wire, the equipment on either end is what enables the digital transmission. And, that equipement needs to be set up at individual telephone companies in order to provide access to that community. This is a massive, incredibly expensive, undertaking and you can count on those costs be passed on to you in connection fees. However, DSL does provide consistent 1.5Mbps connections. This is about 25 times faster than a standard 56kps modem and about the same as a T1. Similar to cable, current monthly prices range from $60/month to $150/month.

The third major broadband technology is wireless. While wireless can include technologies like microwave transmissions, the current trend is accessing the Internet via satellite. This technology's major advantage over cable and phone is that satellites have nearly complete coverage ever the entire US. In fact, this is the only broadband technology currently available in Yuma. Therefore, there is no need to upgrade and run new cables or wires to virtually every household across to US.

In ideal conditions, satellite companies claim download times of up to 30Mbps, far beyond what the other two offer. However, these conditions rarely exist and even winds or a cloudy sky can cause your connection to slow down in a hurry. Furthermore, satellite is one way - you can't transmit back. So, you are required to have another Internet connection to upload your requests as you use the Internet. Prices start at $40 to $50/month, and don't forget about your traditional connection which will run you at least another $20/month.

Cities that have introduced these new technologies have had mixed feedback from the users. But, as the bugs get worked out, there is definitely reason for excitement over broadband's potential.

There is certainly much more to discuss on these topics and I will begin by devoting my next three articles to each of the major broadband mediums introduced above.