What are computer modems and do you need one?

Used to be that computer modems were the only way to connect to the Internet.

Definition of Modem: Modem is actually derived from two words ... "Modulator Demodulator" and is a communication device used to convert analog data on telephone lines to digital data. These are used on computers so that one computer can communicate with another computer.

You have the choice of having an external or internal modem for your computer.

The power supply for external modems are connected using a USB or serial cable. Then a different cable is used to connect computer modems to a phone socket.

An internal modem is actually inside the PC case with a socket (plug) at the back of the case. This is where you can attach the cable and connect the computer to a phone socket in order to use the Internet.

Bandwidth is the measure used to rank the modem speed ... which is how fast a modem downloads data back and forth.

Standard modems usually transmit data at a speed of 56,000 bits per second (bps). However, limitations of the phone infrastructure mean that modem speeds of 33.6kbps or lower are usually what people experience.

Modems for DSL and cable services are called digital modems and modems used for the older style dial-up networking as analog modems.

Analog or dial up modems are far more common because the monthly connections fees are currently cheaper than the connections of their digital cousins.

There are two types of internet connections through a modem – always-on (or permanent) and dial-up.

What you decide to connect with depends on how much you want to pay and how much you want to access the Internet.

Always-on access offers continuous access to the internet normally for a fixed monthly fee, while a dial-up connection provides users with access to the internet for limited amounts of time, with call charges billed according to the amount of time the connection is ‘on’.

If you opt to go with dialup service, you will need a modem for your computer. If you decide to go with the more expensive (but considerably faster) broadband cable or DSL services, the digital modem is usually provided by them.

When you get a modem for your PC, you can choose between a basic one or a Fax capable modem. If you are installing it yourself, you also get to decide if you want to have it internal or external. Check out modems at TigerDirect.