Similarity Of The Internet and the Telephone System

The Internet and the telephone system are similar-you can connect a computer to the Internet much like you connect a phone to the telephone system. Once you are on the internet, your computer becomes an extension of what seems like a giant computer-a computer that branch all over the world. When provided with a connection to the Internet, you can use a browser program to search Web.

PROVIDERS

The most common way to access the Internet is through an Internet service provider (ISP). The providers are already connected to the Internet and provide a path or connection for individuals to access the Internet. Your college or university most likely provides you with free access to the Internet either through its local area networks or through a dial-up or telephone connection. There are also some companies that offer free Internet access.

  The most widely used commercial Internet service providers are national and
wireless providers.

•    National service providers like BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited), VSNL (Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited) are the widely used. They provide access through standard telephone or cable connections. Users can access the Internet from almost anywhere within the country for a standard fee without incurring long-distance telephone charges.

•    Wireless service providers offer Internet connections for computers with wireless modems and a wide array of wireless devices. As we will discuss In Chapter 9, users connect to ISPs using one of a variety of connection technologies including DSL, cable, and wireless modems.