| telephone companies have extensive networks all | | | | Setting up your own connection. In very basic |
| over the world, so also do power companies. | | | | terms, you will need a computer, as well as a |
| There’s a key difference here — | | | | modem or networking card. That will depend on |
| power companies have lines in many more places | | | | what sort of broadband you want. Don’t |
| than phone companies can install fiber optic cables. | | | | forget that you’ll have to register with an |
| Therefore, it is obvious that power lines can be | | | | Internet Service Provider or ISP. |
| used to bring the Internet to places where fiber | | | | The computer surely doesn’t come as a |
| optics cannot reach. | | | | surprise, but you should check that the hardware |
| Back to basics. Power lines are just one part of | | | | you want to use is compatible with your |
| an entire network consisting of power grids. Apart | | | | computer. You may be aware that certain ADSL |
| from the lines, the power grids make use of | | | | modems are equipped with a USB plug, so you |
| various other items of equipment and | | | | should ensure that your computer has a socket |
| infrastructure such as substations, generators, | | | | for the USB. |
| transformers etc. that transmit the electricity | | | | If you are planning to use cable, you’ll need |
| from the power plant right to your wall socket. | | | | a CAT-5 networking cable to link to the point that |
| Power from the power plant goes by way of a | | | | has been provided by your supplier. If you are |
| transmission substation to high voltage | | | | using Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Lines or |
| transmission lines. It is these transmission lines | | | | ADSL, you should get an ADSL modem. These |
| that offer a resistance of their own. | | | | are generally provided with an Ethernet or USB |
| We’re talking about a power output in the | | | | plug that you can use to connect to your |
| region of 155,000 to 765,000 volts, which is not | | | | computer. That way you can avoid disturbances |
| really suitable for the transmission of data. The | | | | on your line. So of course you’ll have to |
| electricity and the RF used for the transmission of | | | | check if your computer can accommodate it. |
| data must vibrate at particular frequencies. For | | | | While we’re on the subject of broadband, |
| data to be transmitted without disturbance from | | | | let’s look at a few related issues. These |
| one point to another there must be a specific | | | | include broadband vs conventional dial up; cable |
| band of spectrum at which vibration can take | | | | modem vs DSL and finally Fiber vs cable modem |
| place without disturbance from elsewhere. | | | | vs DSL. |
| As the power spikes over the spectrum, it may | | | | Broadband vs Conventional Dial up: Broadband |
| spike at the same frequency that is being used | | | | Internet access has become possible as a |
| for the transmission of the data. If that happens, | | | | consequence of technological advancement. It is |
| it will interfere with the signal and the transmission | | | | used to transmit data at high speeds. Generally |
| may stop before it has been completed. | | | | speaking, it involves the synchronized transmission |
| What happens with broadband. In the case of | | | | of several items of data. Broadband Internet |
| broadband over power lines, also known as BPL, | | | | makes use of cable modems or DSL (digital |
| you can plug your computer into any electrical | | | | subscriber lines). Broadband DSL transmission |
| point and you will have instant access to high | | | | allows for the transmission of data at much higher |
| speed Internet. This has become possible through | | | | speeds than conventional dial up connections. |
| an amalgamation of the working principles of | | | | Broadband technology can be used on a number |
| wireless networking, radios and modems. As a | | | | of frequencies and is capable of transmitting |
| result, it is now possible to send data into homes | | | | signals from different carriers over fiber optic |
| transmitted over power lines at high speed. | | | | cables. |
| Although broadband technology is becoming | | | | Cable Modem vs DSL: When you are looking at |
| increasingly popular, there are still several areas | | | | alternatives outside conventional dial up |
| around the world out of reach of high speed | | | | connections, you need to decide which one you |
| Internet. The expenditure it would involve to | | | | want. Naturally, you would consider whichever is |
| make this possible does not appear to make | | | | faster. However, you also have to take into |
| much practical sense considering the number of | | | | account which of these will give you better value |
| people it would reach is relatively small. However, | | | | for money. While you will be able to transmit data |
| if broadband could be provided over power lines, it | | | | at 28 to 56 kilobytes per second or kbps with a |
| would not be necessary to put any additional | | | | conventional dial up connection, the average DSL |
| infrastructure in place. You can have broadband | | | | download speed is about 1.0 to 1.5 megabytes per |
| wherever you have electricity. | | | | second or mbps. In other words, this is about 20 |
| Minor changes made to the existing power grid | | | | times as fast as the conventional dial up! |
| would allow BPL developers, in collaboration with | | | | If that sounds impressive, here’s some |
| Internet service providers and power companies | | | | more good news — with cable modems, |
| to provide broadband services to anyone who | | | | you can transmit data at speeds as high as 2 or |
| has electricity. | | | | 3 Mbps. This implies that when you are |
| How it works. There are two kinds of BPL. | | | | downloading data, cable modems can provide |
| There’s In House BPL, which can link up | | | | double the download speed that would be possible |
| machines inside a building. The other kind is | | | | with DSL. On the other hand, when it comes to |
| Access BPL, which can transmit broadband | | | | uploads, both DSL and cable will give you more or |
| Internet over power lines, which can be | | | | less the same level of efficiency. |
| monitored by the power companies. | | | | Fiber vs Cable Modem vs DSL: Now that you |
| If all the electrical outlets in a house are capable | | | | have a basic idea of how cable modems compare |
| of high-speed transmission, you can link up any | | | | with DSL, let’s go a step further and see |
| number of items, which would make life rather | | | | what happens with fiber optic cables. These |
| interesting!! Remember that the Internet is | | | | cables offer a higher level of performance than |
| basically a massive collection of networks linked | | | | others that have been mentioned here. In addition, |
| up through computers and cables as well as wired | | | | transmission of data over fiber optic cables is not |
| and wireless gadgets around the world. | | | | affected by noise, RFI or EMI emissions. They are |
| Generally, large ISPs use fiber optic cables from | | | | also not affected by the factors that limit the |
| the telephone company for the transmission of | | | | performance of copper cables. Fiber optic cables |
| data over the Internet. From there it travels | | | | can achieve data transfer speeds as high as 10 |
| through your phone, digital subscriber line or cable | | | | Gbps and more. |
| to reach you at home. Fiber optic cables allow | | | | Look around for the best possible deal you can |
| data to be transmitted evenly and without | | | | get when you are selecting your broadband and |
| disturbance from other kinds of transmission. | | | | your ISP. If you are already using cable television, |
| The data is usually transferred through AC power | | | | your cable service provider should be able to help |
| because it can be done without requiring a | | | | you set up your connection. For ADSL, which |
| separate line for data transmission. Since the | | | | goes through your telephone connection, you |
| electric current and the RF do not vibrate at the | | | | need to check out that your exchange can |
| same frequency, they do not obstruct each | | | | support it. |
| other. These principles have long been used by | | | | In case this does not happen, the exchange will |
| power companies to regulate grid performance. | | | | be upgraded when the number of people who |
| All this may seem rather complicated, so | | | | want to use broadband reaches what is known as |
| let’s see what you would need to set up a | | | | the trigger level. Don’t forget to check for |
| broadband connection for yourself. | | | | the signal, which should be a steady green light. |