Essential Guide to Computer Data Storage: From Floppy to DVD, The

Internet Speed and Connections

Modems

Let's start with the most popular method of connecting to the Internet: analog modem. The word “modem” itself is a combination of two words: modulate and demodulate. A modem is basically a device that takes a digital signal and converts or modulates it into an analog signal that another modem can later convert back, or demodulate, into digital form again. An analog connection suffers from busy signals, dropped connections, and the need to dial up each time, but it is the cheapest type of Internet connection available. The main factor affecting a modem's speed and dependability is electromagnetic interference (also called “static”), caused by various sources of electromagnetic waves intercepting the phone ...