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cable modem
Speed is something we all want on the Internet, and it also explains the allure of cable modems, which promise speeds of up to 80 times faster than an ISDN line or 6 times faster than a dedicated T1 line (the type of connection most large corporations use). Because cable modems provide Internet access over cable TV networks (which rely primarily on fiber-optic or coaxial cable), they are much faster than modems that use phone lines. But cable modems are expensive--they're expected to cost between $200 and $250 when they hit the retail shelves in mid-1998. And the fees from your local cable company could include a $50 to $100 installation fee, while the service itself costs around $40 per month, if the service is offered at all. Some cable modem testers complain that the service is neither as fast nor as consistent as promised. On the bright side, in March 1997, the Multimedia Cable Network Systems (MCNS) released cable modem specifications in an attempt to establish standards, which will guarantee interoperability between different manufacturers' modems and should reduce cable modem prices due to increased competition. And some cable companies may rent the modems to consumers, which could give you the opportunity to test out the service before you make a purchase. |