Although this FAQ contains some technical information, it is a good introduction to xDSL services. It is used to connect a customer and the telephone company over the same existing copper wiring that is used by current home and office telephone service. Cable modems are devices that attach to the cable TV network connection in a home. Broadband cable Internet service offers high-speed bandwidth comparable to a T1. But there are a number of challenges faced by this industry, including return path capabilities, customer service issues and standards.
Cable networks are inherently different in design than telephone networks.
Cable networks are broadcast oriented, which means that your connection is placed on a shared network with others. Cable Internet service is not widely available with business-oriented features like subnet routing or web site hosting. There are a growing number of different wireless Internet schemes proposed, planned and implemented throughout the world. Wireless access technology comes in a number of different forms, such as via a satellite TV service provider or wireless phone network. Wireless Internet systems can provide access to a large number of subscribers in a relatively large area.