Internet Connection

The Internet allows computers, network-enabled devices or entire networks to access the Internet. The service comes from an internet service provider (ISP) and requires, depending on the access technology, a special access device or it can be used directly by terminal devices. In the broadband environment, a router is usually required, which makes a connection to the Internet and connects local devices via a LAN cable or Wi-Fi.

There are various tariffs for Internet connections of different types. While flat rates tariffs allow Internet use at a flat rate, volume or time-based billing models are also available.
For devices to communicate via the Internet every Internet connection requires a public Internet address, a so-called IP address. As the number of addresses is limited, techniques such as Network Address Translation (NAT) are often used, whereby multiple devices use a public address at the same time.

Various services can be accessed from each Internet connection. In addition to data transfer and surfing the net, other services, such as email, video, voice-over-IP and many other applications are available. Some providers also offer their customers television via the Internet (IPTV).

The wired Internet connection

At the beginning of the Internet age dial-up connections via an analogue telephone network, with transmission rates of just a few kilobits per second, were common. Today, the residential market is dominated by high-speed access via DSL-based and cable connections.

They provide high bandwidth connections and are usually twinned with a flat rate model. A VDSL Internet connection allows download speeds of 50 megabits per second and more. With DSL connections, the download transmission rate is a multiple of the upload rate, reflecting the average consumption of end users.

In the professional environment Internet access is available on a leased line basis, with far higher upload and download rates. Having the same upload and download transfer rates permits the operation of central server applications and connecting branch offices.

The mobile Internet connection

With the advent of smartphones and tablet devices, the mobile Internet has grown enormously in importance. Modern transmission standards such as UMTS (3G) and LTE (4G) offer similar high bandwidth levels comparable with wired Internet connections and a high level of network coverage is available for mobile customers. This allows the use of mobile Internet from any location.

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