What is a modem?
Q: What is a modem?
A: A modem is a piece of computer hardware used to communicate between distant computers. It works by modulating digital data from a computer into analog data (audio tones or sounds) which can be sent over telephone lines, and demodulating the analog data received over the telephone lines back into digital data for use by the computer.
Q: How are modems classified?
A: Modems are classified by their connection method, as well as the amount of data they can send in a given time, normally measured in bits per second (bit/s, or bps).
Q: What are external and internal modems?
A: External modems connect to the computer via cable, while internal modems go inside the computer either on a PC card or as part of the motherboard.
Q: How do people usually access the Internet with modems?
A: People usually access the Internet with slow telephone service called dial-up (maximum 56,000 bits per second), faster telephone service called DSL (usually more than ten times faster than dial-up), or cable television service through cable modems (similarly fast).
Q: What was found in 2006 regarding dial-up Internet access in the US?
A: In 2006 it was found that dial-up Internet connections accounted for 36% of all U.S. residential Internet connections, down from 74% in 2000. This decline has been mirrored in Canada and Australia as well.
Q: Why is traditional 56K modem losing popularity?
A: As more homes adopt faster ways of accessing the internet such as DSL and Cable TV services, traditional 56K modem is becoming less popular due to its slower speeds compared to other methods available today.
