Dialup Modems

Published December 27, 2011

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Overview

Dial-up modems allow you to access the Internet through a telephone connection. To go online, you need a computer, dial-up modem, and telephone line. You connect your telephone line to your dial-up modem which can be located inside or outside your computer. Your modem will dial an Internet service provider (ISP) through your phone line. With this method, connecting to the Internet can take several minutes depending on your hardware configurations.

Dial-up Internet service providers include companies like EarthLink and NetZero. These ISPs are generally very low cost, with monthly fees ranging from $10 to $20. NetZero even provides free, advertisement-supported Internet access.

In general, dial-up ISPs offer slow speeds. In any case, dial-up ISPs provide low cost options for users to meet their basic Internet needs. As opposed to a cable modem, only one computer can access the Internet at once. Also, you cannot access the Internet and talk on the telephone simultaneously from the same phone line. Dial-up modems use analog signals to transmit information.

Most computers come with a dial-up modem, but you can also purchase one from $10 to $50. You can choose between an internal or external dial-up modem. If you are on a budget, a dial-up modem might be right for you.

Benefits

Dial-up modems are beneficial to users concerned with flexibility and cost. In general, the demand for broadband, high-speed Internet is on the rise. In any case, broadband Internet may not be available in some rural or remote areas. Furthermore, broadband Internet is not an ideal option for all users as some people do not need to make use of the high speeds and constant access. You can save money by using only what you need.

In any case, dial-up modems offer very slow speeds. It takes a long time to download larger files, and it can even take weeks to download certain files that would take hours with broadband Internet. You also need multiple phone lines if you need to access the internet from multiple computers simultaneously. You should also install two phone lines if you want to be able to talk on the phone simultaneously. In many instances, it might be cheaper to sign up with a broadband ISP.

How It Works

A dial-up connection requires a computer, dial-up modem, phone line, phone service provider, and Internet service provider. Your modem will make a telephone call to your ISP and establish a two-way communication path. Generally, you will be asked to provide a username and password to confirm your identity. The maximum amount of data that you can receive using an ordinary modem is determined by the quality of your phone line, but it is generally around 30-45 kilobytes per second.