| Cable modems are devices that enable you to | | | | more complex device than a telephone modem. It |
| hookup to a PC through a local cable TV line to | | | | can be an external device or it can be integrated |
| gain access to the World Wide Web. The speeds | | | | within a computer or box. More than usual, the |
| are much higher than those of a dial-up connection | | | | modem attaches to a standard Ethernet card in |
| and an integrated services digital network (ISDN). | | | | the computer. |
| However these speeds are about equal to those | | | | High speed Cable Modems send and receive |
| of digital subscriber line (DSL) telephone service. | | | | signals only from the modem termination system |
| Cable modems are equipped as an access service | | | | (CMTS). This is the idea of setting up the service |
| and is not bought or installed directly from its | | | | through a TV company, some services have the |
| subscriber. When it is set up it's also integrated | | | | upstream signals returned by telephone instead, |
| with a box that provides your TV with channels | | | | and this is called a Telco-return cable modem. |
| for high speed internet access. | | | | An upside advantage of high speed cable over |
| This has two connections: one to the cabled wall | | | | telephone internet access is that it is a continuous |
| outlet and the other to a PC or to a box for a | | | | connection with a faster data rate. This helps with |
| TV set. Although a modem does modulation | | | | time when you don't have to manually connect to |
| between analog and digital signals, it is a much | | | | the internet every time to check your e-mail. |