Issue 34.14
This is another article in our series on computer terms and what they mean. Knowing the right terminology can help you communicate well with your computer service person so they can help you solve problems more easily and often more cheaply.
A modem is the box that connects your home or business to the internet. It can be a phone or DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) modem which, in our area is likely provided by or connected to a CenturyLink phone line. It could also be a cable modem which would likely be connected to Baja Broadband services. There are also a few wireless services (AWI, South Central and Infowest) that use an outdoor antenna and a special modem to communicate with their transmission towers. A new type of modem is the cellular modem (or hot spot) provided by and connected to your cellular phone carrier.
Some modems are also wireless or non-wireless routers. A router is a small box that splits the internet signal into a number of isolated signals that can connect with your internet devices. You can buy them separately and add them if your modem does not have wireless capability. Non-wireless routers (also sometimes called “switches” or “hubs”) take an individual internet signal from your provider and split it into a number (usually four) of separate signals that you can hook up to devices through ether-net cables. Wireless routers often also have up to four wired outlets that you can use, but offer the additional capability of connecting wireless enabled computers, tablets, smart phones and other electronics such as smart tvs and printers to the internet and each other without needing Ethernet cables. The cellular modems (hot spots) are rather unique in that they usually do not have wired connections and only work with wireless enabled devices. All of these have network addresses so your system can keep track of which product is which. They are usually assigned by your modem or router automatically, but can be manually assigned so they never change (see last week’s article).
Phone and DSL modems are available through the phone company and BestBuy and sometimes other outlets for between $60 and $120, possibly more if they include wireless capability. Wired routers are around #25 and wireless routers usually run from $50-$200 depending on speed and coverage. Baja Broadband will supply you a cable modem for a monthly rental or you can buy them online for $100-$200. Wireless antennae and modems are usually by arrangement with the provider either for a monthly fee or part of your monthly service agreement. If you use a hot spot, expect to pay from $35 – $60 a month for data and your data limit is usually around 5 Gigabytes per month, while the other types don’t usually have a limit. The biggest advantage of the hot spots is that you can take it with you – anywhere you have cable service, even in your car driving down the interstate. You also have to either pay for the device ($150-$300) or commit to a two year agreement to add hot spot service to your cellular plan.
All of these give you a number of options and payment plans to access the internet and distribute it to your devices. Do your homework and ask other people in your neighborhood who they like and how fast their internet is before deciding – and always back up anything on your computer that is important to you.
Shaun McCausland has worked in the computer industry for over 32 years, 25 years of it locally with Bits ‘N’ Bytes and Musicomp and currently does in-home and on-site computer consultation, service, training and repair. If you have questions you can reach him at 435-668-7118 or shaun@musicomp.net.