Before the availability of fiber optic connections, the only “fast internet” connection we knew of was cable internet. It became the most popular type of connection in urban as well as rural areas. Cable internet is just as popular today as it was in the past. It’s fast, stable, and pairs well with your Cable TV plan.
Want to know more about this type of internet connection and what you can expect from a cable internet service? Tag along!
Table of Contents
What Is Cable Internet?
Cable Internet is a type of high-speed connection that provides connectivity to end-users over a cable television infrastructure. As a result, the same network that supplies your cable TV service also allows you to access the Internet.
The way it works is simple. First, your internet company sends a data signal into your home (technically your modem) via a coaxial cable or coax wire. The modem then connects to your PC or router through an Ethernet wire, giving you access to high-speed internet. You may then broadcast a Wi-Fi signal throughout your home if you have a router.
Most cable internet service providers use a coaxial cable to send data between servers, and because TV only consumes a small percentage of the cable’s bandwidth, there is enough room for internet service to operate on the same network.
How Does It Work?
The working of a cable-internet service is quite straightforward. Three major components are involved. These include:
- Modem: It’s equipment that allows your computer to communicate with the cable service provider’s systems. Most ISPs offer a modem free of charge.
- CMTS: A Cable Modem Termination System is hardware found in the facilities or on the site of a cable company. It must communicate with your home’s modem to provide you cable Internet access.
- Cable: This is normally a coaxial cable that’s responsible for transmitting data across large distances.
Now as far as what is cable internet’s working mechanism, chances are you are able to put the puzzle pieces together yourself. Cable internet works when your modem connects to the CMTS via a coaxial cable. That’s it!
How Much Speed Can Cable Internet Deliver?
This is a question everyone wants an answer to. When it comes to cable internet speed, you can expect to get a decent speed. the Download speeds on cable range from 1 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps. The average speed is roughly 100 Mbps. Upload speeds, on the other hand, vary widely, ranging from 1 Mbps to 50 Mbps.
How Is Cable Internet Different from Other Types of Internet Connections?
Hopefully, by now you know what is cable internet and how it works. It’s fair to ask how is cable internet different from other types of connections. To begin with, cable-Internet is much better than a dial-up connection, which is notoriously slow.
When it comes to high-speed or broadband Internet, cable-Internet stands out because it is based on a cable TV network. The distance between you and the local cable TV service provider’s CMTS has no effect on the Internet speed.
Other high-speed connection options include DSL, fiber optics, and satellite. DSL is a service that connects you to the Internet via phone lines. This arrangement, unlike dial-up, does not disrupt your phone service. But the speed can slow down depending on how far you are from the internet company’s station.
Fiber optic Internet service is a relatively new type of broadband Internet service, and its infrastructure is currently being built. If you have understood what is cable-internet, you will understand fiber-optic too because it functions in the same way. The only difference is that instead of copper, fiber optic connection uses glass fiber for wired connections. Finally, a satellite Internet connection transmits data from a space satellite to a dish in your home. Satellite Internet is wireless.
Because of its availability and speed, cable Internet is one of the most popular types of broadband service. In case you are interested in a cable connection, do explore Cox Internet deals for new customers to find something that suits your internet lifestyle.
Benefits of Cable Internet
Cable-internet service has many benefits. You won’t even have to worry about that many technical issues and call Cox customer service or your respective provider again and again. Just keep an eye on the cable for damages. Here is a brief overview of the benefits of this service:
- Steady Speed
Cable-internet is significantly faster, providing speeds ranging from 50 Mbps to 1,000 Mbps. Hence, it’s the go-to choice for many households.
- Wide Availability
Most homes have the necessary hookups for installing coaxial internet to deliver Cable internet. Also, and most cities and towns already have the infrastructure in place to provide Cable services to people.
- Works Even in Bad Weather Conditions
Since cable-internet is housed underground, it is barely affected by harsh weather!
Conclusion
Several local providers are now offering internet services. The demand for this type of connection is one of the reasons why Cox Internet usage has increased! Not to mention, cable-internet is quite affordable. You can easily choose the service, plan, and speed level that best suits your needs.