Internet is a network of networks in which various computers connect each other through out the world. The connection to other computers is possible with the help of ISP (Internet Service Provider). Each Internet users depend dialup connections to connect to Internet. This has many disadvantages like very poor speed, may time cut downs etc. To solve the problem, Internet data can be transferred through Cable networks wired to the user computer. Different type connections used are PSTN connection, ISDN connection and Internet via Cable networks. Various advantages are High availability, High bandwidth to low cost, high speed data access, always on connectivity etc.

The huge growth in the number of Internet users every year has resulted in the traffic congestion on the net, resulting in slower and expensive Internet access. As cable TV has a strong reach to homes, it is the best medium for providing the Internet to house - holds with faster access at feasible rates.

We are witnessing an unprecedented demand from residential and business customers, especially in the last few years, for access to the Internet, corporate intranets and various online information services. The Internet revolution is sweeping the country with a burgeoning number of the Internet users. As more and more people are being attracted towards the Internet, traffic congestion on the Net is continuously increasing due to limited bandwidths resulting in slower and expensive Internet access.

The number of household getting on the Internet has increased exponentially in the recent past. First time internet users are amazed at the internet's richness of content and personalization, never before offered by any other medium. But this initial awe last only till they experienced the slow speed of internet content deliver. Hence the popular reference "World Wide Wait"(not world wide web). There is a pent-up demand for the high-speed (or broad band) internet access for fast web browsing and more effective telecommuting.

India has a cable penetration of 80 million homes, offering a vast network for leveraging the internet access. Cable TV has a strong reach to the homes and therefore offering the Internet through cable could be a scope for furthering the growth of internet usage in the homes.

The cable is an alternative medium for delivering the Internet services in the US, there are already a million homes with cable modems, enabling the high-speed internet access over cable. In India, we are in the initial stages. We are experiencing innumerable local problems in Mumbai, Bangalore and Delhi, along with an acute shortage of international Internet connectivity.

Accessing the Internet on the public switched telephone networks (PSTN) still has a lot of problems. Such as drops outs. Its takes along time to download or upload large files. One has to pay both for the Internet connectivity as well as for telephone usages during that period. Since it is technically possible to offer higher bandwidth by their cable, home as well as corporate users may make like it. Many people cannot afford a PC At their premises. Hardware obsolescence in the main problem to the home user. Who cannot afford to upgrade his PC every year? Cable TV based ISP solution s offer an economic alternative.

A cable modem connects to a PC using the same coaxial cable that brings all those channels to your idiot box. Cable modems give you high-speed data access using a hybrid fiber or coaxial cable (HFC) network. The modem that you currently use is meant for point-to-point communications. That is, it connects to a similar modem at the other end and gives users at either end the ability to communicate to each other. Cable modems on the other hand work from a single transmitting point to several receiving points. Also, with cable modems you�re always connected. No more the hassles of dialing for half an hour or more, only to end up with a dud connection to VSNL! Cable modems are more complex than ordinary analog ones and they have features normally found in network hardware like bridges, routers, and Ethernet hubs.

A cable modem transmits digital data down your coaxial cable line in much the same way as it currently transmits television signals. When data is sent to you (as when you download a file or mail) digital data is modulated and placed on a 6 MHz television carrier signal. Two popular technologies used to do this are QPSK (up to 10 Mbps) and QAM64 (up to 36 Mbps). This signal can be put in 6 MHz channels alongside TV signals without destroying or distorting your favorite cable channels. Sending data back from your PC using cable is trickier. To make coaxial cable suitable to receive and send data, a spectrum of frequencies will have to be dedicated to carry data from the user to the Internet. Sending data requires a frequency spectrum between 5 and 40 MHz. In addition to this, today�s one-way amplifiers used for boosting cable signals along the network will have to be replaced by two-way amplifiers that will be smart enough to pick out input and output signals and amplify the correct frequency range for each. Finally, the cable company should have an IP Router that will take care of accurate reception of all signals from outside and of routing signals to the Internet.

You can connect cable to a PC using Ethernet 10BaseT. A variation on this is the hybrid cable modem. This gadget uses the cable for getting those huge videos to your PC but when you send data back, it uses an ordinary modem.

Cable modems:

  • Free up phone lines

  • You’re always connected

  • Are cheaper

Unlike ISDN, cable modems are comparatively easy to install. If and when this technology takes off we’ll see a whole range of applications like distance learning, Net broadcasts of live events (these already exist but they’ll be full screen), security services and perhaps karaoke over the Internet. Till then, drool at the thought of what’s ahead!