Monday, September 4, 2000		Lead Article

COMBATING THE  WORLD WIDE WAIT
by Vipul Verma   

Is Internet physics, chemistry or biology? Well! Most of us would say: "What a silly question?" There is no doubt that on a broader parameter, computers and telecommunication, everything is a part of physics."

The truth is, however, a bit strange. No one could doubt that the science behind the Internet is physics. However, the driving force behind this science is chemistry, though not literally.

This may sound unfamiliar to you, but it is the truth. Like in the case of chemistry, the result of a process is a combination and reaction of several independent factors like chemicals, elements and substances. Similarly, the Internet is a combination of several factors like computers, modem, telephone line, services of the Internet service provider, and others. This does not end the similarities between the two. In chemistry, there is something called a catalyst, which changes the rate of reaction. Similarly, in the case of the Internet, the Internet connectivity is the catalyst, which accelerates or decelerates the Internet performance. So, this amply shows that the Internet is a result of a perfect chemistry between all its major components of which the Internet connectivity is the catalyst.

Talking of the catalyst, i.e. the Internet connectivity, till now we have only seen one form of the Internet connection, the TCP/IP or the dial-up connection.

TCP/IP or [T(ransmission) C(ontrol) P(rotocol)/I(nternet) P(rotocol).] is a protocol for communication between computers, used as a standard for transmitting data over networks and as the basis for standard Internet protocols.

Due to the lack of speed in such a connection, the World Wide Web has often been called "world wide wait". However, there are several other modes, which enhance the Internet's performance. All these modes of Internet connectivity are tremendously better than the normal dial up connection, but due to the lack of adequate knowledge and myths associated with them, people are not able to use these technologies for their benefit.

Some of the most popular modes of the Internet connectivity are the DSL, cable, ISDN, VSAT, LAN, and the leased lines. Most of us, due to the ignorance about the latest technology, are not able to make the best use of the available technologies. Though there is nothing that can be termed as a perfect solution for everybody, yet when armed with basic information, one can really make the right choice. In order to make the correct choice, a brief description of all-available technologies is given here:

1) TCP/IP or the dial up connection using the PSTN lines: This is the most common form of the Internet connectivity and requires normal modems, also called the fax/data modem, with a maximum speed of 56 kbps and normal telephone lines. Under this connection, the dial up networking feature of the Windows is being used to dial the server of the ISP for connecting to the Internet. Once a connection is established, the user can browse the Internet sites. This type of connection operates at a maximum speed of 56 kbps, whereas the maximum downloading speed is 28.8 kbps. However, this statistics is rare and practically not possible in majority of the cases in India. Due to poor conditions of the telephone lines and also inadequacy of the telephone exchanges, the speed of the Internet connection in majority of the cases is 33.6 kbps with a downloading speed of 19.2 kbps. Normally, Net users get connected to the Internet at speeds that range from 28.8 kbps to 56 kbps. For all practical purposes, there is not much difference between these connecting speed, because no matter what is being shown as the connecting speed, the download speed remains almost the same.

There are certain benefits of dial-up connections. The first advantage is the cost benefit as these connections are nowadays very cheap and in some cases are free also. Actually, they are not free as the minimum telephone line charges or call charges are always there. The total cost per hour in this case works out to Rs 24 plus the Internet cost. Normally, the Internet cost varies between Rs 5 to Rs 10, depending upon the usage and the type of connection. The average cost per hour is between Rs 29 to Rs 34. Since for these types of connections, no special hardware, except the modem is required, overall it works out to be the cheapest. The modem is cost effective and ranges from Rs 750 for an internal modem to Rs 5,000 for a good quality external modem. Some of the disadvantages of this type of connection are: poor connectivity in majority of cases, slow downloading and browsing speed and frequent disconnection. Moreover, the dial-up connections supports low bandwidth, so practically it has its limitations.

Taking into considerations all advantages and disadvantages, the TCP/IP connection is best suited for home. It can also prove good for casual surfers, who do not use the Internet very heavily. Due to increasing traffic of the Net surfers, TCP/IP on the PSTN lines (normal dial-up connections) may not be a good alternative for professionals and office use, as the reliability of these connections is not very high. For professional purposes or offices, other connections, like the ISDN or the DSL, may prove better. Since the recurring cost associated with the ISDN or DSL is not very high, even the home users can consider them. Practically, these connections may be referred to as those of the next generation.

2) ISDN: The ISDN, or the integrated services digital network, is another mode of connection, where the data is digitally transmitted from the Internet. Technically, it is a set of CCITT/ITU standards for digital transmission over the ordinary telephone copper wire. In order to set up an ISDN connection one has to install the ISDN adapter, which is actually the modem in this case and enables high-speed data transfer. Using the basic rate interface in the ISDN connection, one can attain a maximum speed of 128 kbps on the double channel offline. Moreover, the data download speed is also high. Unlike the dial-up connection, the ISDN requires adapters at both ends of the transmission, so ISDN access provider also needs an ISDN adapter, besides the one at your end. Currently, the ISDN facility is available in many parts of the country and is offered by the local phone companies. In Delhi, it is offered by the MTNL.

The ISDN services are basically of two types: The basic rate interface (basic rate interface in the ISDN), and the primary rate interface (primary rate interface in the ISDN). The basic rate interface service is actually useful for home or small office use. The primary rate interface is useful for heavy Internet users, like the software development centres and large corporate houses. Both these rates include a number of B-channels and a D-channel. The B channel carries data, voice, and other services. The D-channel carries control and signalling information. Technically, both services are similar but the basic difference between them is of data transfer rate. The basic rate interface consists of two 64 kbps B-channels and one 16 kbps D-channel. Thus, a basic rate user can have up to 128 kbps service. The primary rate consists of 23 B-channels and one 64 kbps D-channel. Thus the speed in the case of primary rate interface can go up to megabytes. Actually when you apply for an ISDN connection you get two telephone lines as the ISDN is the integration of both, analog or voice data together with the digital data over the same network. Therefore, one can use voice as well as data at the same time. There are several myths in the mind of majority of the people about the ISDN.

Normally people feel that the ISDN access is costly. It was a costly affair sometimes back, but now with the lowering of the ISDN access rates, it has become as good as the normal dial-up connection using the PSTN. It is worth mentioning that for getting a new ISDN connection, there is an initial cost of roughly Rs 16,000 that has to be paid to the telephone service provider. Except for this one time fixed cost, rest of the expenses are similar to the normal dial-up connection. As the rent and telephone charges of the ISDN line are equal to the PSTN lines, the Internet access is also as cheap as the dialup. The VSNL offers the ISDN Internet access (@64KBPS) for as low as Rs.5 per hour.

If you spend a lot of time on the Net and can afford the initial cost, then the ISDN works out to be cheaper than the dial-up as the access time is fast, which reduces the time spent on the Net. This eventually translates into a lot of saving in terms of normal telephone charges. Remember, for accessing the Internet, you pay very less to your ISP in comparison to your telephone service provider.

3) DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): This is a relatively new technology and is becoming popular, the world over. The DSL is a cost-effective technology, which brings high-bandwidth information to homes and small businesses over ordinary copper telephone lines. For the DSL connection, you do not require the services of the telephone operators, as it is not routed through the dial up, like the TCP/IP, using the PSTN and the ISDN. Normally, in India, the average speed of the DSL connection is 256 kbps, which is double the speed of basic rate interface ISDN connection. The speed under the DSL could go in megabytes, but for home and small office use, the speed is limited to kilobytes only. Basically, the DSL, as such represents the technology, whereas its variants are termed as xDSL. Some of the variants of the DSL are the ADSL, HDSL, and the RADSL.

Presently, the DSL is not so common in India and is limited to a few big cities only. Cost wise, a DSL connection is economical. Roughly, one time hardware and installation cost is between Rs. 20,000 and Rs. 30,000. And the fixed monthly expense is between Rs.1,500 to Rs.2,000. There are no telephone charges in this case.

4) Cable Internet: This is the cheapest mode of Internet connectivity and is also fast and reliable. Cable Internet is just like the normal cable TV. The only difference is that, in case of the cable TV, you can see various TV channels. Whereas, in case of the cable Internet, you can access the Internet. The concept of the cable Internet is becoming popular in India. This facility is now available in a number of towns today. All you need to access the Internet through the cable is a cable modem or a set-top box. Cable modem is the device, which connects the PC with the cable connection whereas, the set top box is the device used for connecting the TV set with the Internet. The average speed, in the case of old cable Internet is 128 kbps. Basically, the speed in this case depends upon the number of connections since the local cable line receives data at about 1.5 mbps, which is divided into the number of users. Thus, if the number of connections is less, you can even expect the speed to be better than 128 kbps and vice versa.

Other modes of Internet connectivity viz. the VSAT, LAN and the leased lines are more relevant for the corporate use and offer excellent Internet connectivity.

Thus, after looking into various ways of accessing the Internet, one thing is sure: that the Internet is well beyond calling your local ISP and waiting to get connected to the Internet through normal dial-up mode. There are better technologies available today, which are more fast and efficient, even if you are an average Internet user and surf for roughly 2 hours a day.

Using the ISDN connection would result in more savings than a normal dial-up connection. Other technologies, like the DSL and the cable are cheaper but are not available easily. The choice of technology could depend on the availability and use. It is worth to look beyond the regular dial-up connectivity.