A modem is a type of hardware that lets a computer communicate with another computer over a regular phone line. A dial-up connection is an Internet connection in which your computer must use a modem to call an ISP to make a connection to the Internet. A direct connection is a connection to the Internet in which no ISP is required.
Many large businesses have direct connections to the Internet.
No modem is required, and the connection and transfer speed is much faster than a dial-up connection. Cable Internet Access Cable Internet access is an Internet service offered by some cable companies that allows you to connect to the Internet using the same cable provided by your cable TV service. Cable access speed is comparable to a direct connection. Web TV Web TV is a technology that lets you access the Web using your TV and a Web TV unit, which is considerably less expensive than a personal computer. ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network is a new telecommunications network built by the telephone companies with seven times more speed than modems without compression.