Unit 7.2
How to Connect to the Internet
Learning Objectives 🎯
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
- ✅ Describe the role of an Internet Service Provider (ISP).
- ✅ Differentiate between wired and wireless internet connections.
- ✅ Identify common types of broadband connections.
The First Step: The ISP
To get online, you need a gateway to the global internet.
Key Concept: Internet Service Provider (ISP)
An ISP is a company that provides individuals and organizations with access to the internet.
Think of them as the on-ramp to the information superhighway.
The "Last Mile" Connection
This term describes the critical link from your home or business to your ISP's main network.
Your PC 💻 <--> Router <--> [ The Last Mile ] <--> ISP Network 🌐 <--> The Internet
The technology used for this "last mile" determines your connection type, speed, and reliability.
Two Paths to the Internet
🔌 Wired Connections
- Physical cables run to your location.
- Generally offers higher speeds and more stable connections.
- Also known as "Broadband".
📡 Wireless Connections
- Data travels through radio waves.
- Offers mobility and flexibility.
- Can be affected by distance and physical obstacles.
Deep Dive: Wired Broadband 🔌
Broadband: Refers to high-speed internet access that is always on and significantly faster than older dial-up access.
Wired broadband is the backbone of internet access for most homes and businesses.
Let's explore the three common types...
Types of Wired Broadband
Cable
Uses the same coaxial cable network as cable television.
Pro: Widely available.
Con: Shared bandwidth can slow down in peak hours.
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line uses existing copper telephone lines.
Pro: Uses existing infrastructure.
Con: Speed degrades with distance from the provider's office.
Fiber Optic
Uses light pulses to transmit data through glass fibers.
Pro: Extremely fast, symmetrical speeds.
Con: Less available and can be more expensive.
The Gold Standard: Fiber Optic ⚡
Fiber is the fastest and most reliable type of consumer broadband connection available today.
- Transmits data at the speed of light.
- Offers symmetrical speeds (upload speed = download speed), which is crucial for video calls, online gaming, and content creation.
- Less susceptible to weather and electrical interference.
Deep Dive: Wireless Connections 📡
Wireless connections provide internet access without physical cables to your end device, enabling mobility.
Local Area Wireless
Example: Wi-Fi
Connects devices within a limited range (home, office, cafe) to a router that is itself connected to a wired broadband service.
Wide Area Wireless
Examples: Cellular, Satellite
Provides connectivity over large geographical areas, directly connecting your device to the internet.
Comparison: Wi-Fi vs. Cellular Data 📊
Wi-Fi
- Range: Limited (e.g., your house)
- Source: A wired broadband connection
- Cost: Typically a flat monthly fee
- Best for: Stationary, high-data use (streaming, downloads)
Cellular Data (4G/5G)
- Range: Wide (wherever you have a signal)
- Source: Cellular provider's network
- Cost: Usually based on a data plan/limit
- Best for: Mobile internet access
Practical Application: Internet in Nepal 🇳🇵
Connecting a Nation
Nepal's diverse geography presents unique connectivity challenges and solutions.
- Urban Centers (KTM, Pokhara): Dominated by Fiber to the Home (FTTH). ISPs like WorldLink, Vianet, and Classic Tech offer high-speed fiber, making it the standard.
- Rural & Remote Areas: Where laying fiber is difficult, Cellular Data (NTC, Ncell) is the primary access method. Satellite internet serves the most remote locations, like trekking lodges and isolated villages.
- Result: Most Nepalis use a hybrid approach: fast fiber at home/work and cellular data while on the move.
Summary & Key Takeaways 🔍
- An Internet Service Provider (ISP) is your gateway to the internet.
- Connections are either wired (broadband) like Cable, DSL, and Fiber, or wireless like Wi-Fi, Cellular, and Satellite.
- Fiber Optic is the fastest wired broadband technology.
- Wi-Fi provides local wireless access, while Cellular and Satellite provide wide-area mobile and remote access.
- Most users today rely on a combination of these technologies.
Thank You
Any questions?
Next Topic: Unit 7.3 - Understanding Internet Protocols (TCP/IP)