What are the speeds of the different internet connections?

Question:

What are the speeds of the different internet connections?

Answer:

1. Old School Dial-up modems (2k – 5k per second) Advertised speed = 56K modem
   like the ones built into most laptops
   maximum download speed of 4k per second
2. DSL Modems (25k – 600k per second) Advertised speed = 1 to 6 megabit.
   Most are owned by local telephone company (Telco) and can be purchased from 3rd parties who lease bandwidth from Telco.
   Limitations: Distance from your house to CO (central office,) affects the speed and availability. The type of wire running in neighborhood and to your house also effect speed. Older copper wire often provides the best quality connection for DSL.
   DSL is a direct connection from CO to your modem. Other users do not affect performance.
   Offer multiple speeds
   Light : Maximum download speed of ¼ megabit
   Fast : Maximum download speed of 6 Megabit
3. Cable Modems (100k – 600k per second) Advertised speed = 1 to 6 megabit.
   Local Cable Company can offer a variety of services. Older cable systems may max out speed at 2 megabits while newer systems can go up to 5 - 8 megabit speeds. Older cable systems where set up like an ether network, where as more users use system over all performance is reduced. Newer broadband cable systems do not have this problem.
   Light : Maximum download speed of 1 megabit
   Fast : Maximum download speed of 6 Megabit
4. Cellular networks. (10k – 150k per second) Advertised speed = 150K
   Each carrier has its own unique flavor of high speed connection.
   Some cellular internet connections are limited to the phone getting on the internet
   Some cellular internet connections will allow a connected computer (laptop or desktop) to access the internet acting as your modem.
   Some cellular internet connections work using a PC card that goes inside of a laptop computer (or desktop with special adapter) to access the internet and acting as your modem.
   Some new models of laptop come with a high speed cellular modem with antennae built in. Sony Lenovo(IBM) and HP all offer access most places, but not all, of their networks. Faster speed connection may be limited to larger metropolitan areas. Areas in and around big cities.