The Internet itself is changing, the new Ipv4 (longer IP numbers allowed) system should go on-line in the next 3-5years and Internet2 (increases the Internets bandwidth several times over) should follow close behind. Most importantly though millions of users on-line will also change the way they access the World Wide Web. This is already starting thanks to new technologies such as Cable Modems, ADSL and Powerline (similar to ADSL) beginning to filter into the public domain.

As we cast aside our 56Kbps modems and look to a future where faster Internet access is inevitable we can't help but wonder, just what are these new technologies?

Technologies Explained

There are currently four choices that exist in some form or another for faster than modem consumer access. Some of these choices aren't available yet but will be by Jan/Feb 2000, while the others are available but are usually limited to specific areas (City's). To sum up what's on offer now or in the near future we have done a simple list to explain each and when they will arrive:

-ISDN:
Just about the most common standard and one, which is slowly replacing Internet access via modems with its faster digital methods. It connects to the Internet by a pure Binary (Digital) line that is unaffected by surrounding traffic. Speeds of a sustainable 64Kbps (7.5-8K-ps transfers) and 128Kbps using Dual Bonding (15K-ps transfers) can be obtained. The standard is now available to home users for a fixed monthly fee of £10 up to £47 (provider depending) and provides smooth Internet access all round.

There are many options for ISDN systems but the specifics remain the same, a good all round system and soon to get cheaper with the advent of bigger competition.

-Cable Modems:
Cable companies provide c-Modems so long as you have had a coax line fitted to your house. They allow you to access the Internet at up to 512Kbps (consumer), although uploads are restricted to 128Kbps (not a total loss). They tend to cost £40 per month and that is a flat-rate fee, meaning no phone call charges. However C-Modems have their problems, firstly if several people use them in the same area then you share the allotted bandwidth for that section. Downloads and Uploads alike can strain to manage 56Kbps modem speeds during peak times.

Another problem is most of us will never see them because they are only being rolled out in dense residential areas like City's (London, Winchester etc.). C-Modems themselves also cost between £150 and £300.

Worse still is that there is currently only one that is officially approved for use (US Robotics/3Com "CMX") and costs around £200. C-Modems are a good current choice for those living in city's and areas not overly dense yet still covered, it is unlikely C-Modems will reach the rest of the UK in the next two years.

-ADSL (BT ISN):
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is the newest of the technologies to be launched into the public domain. It has the advantage of being able to get installed anywhere in the UK, although initial rollouts are limited to gain money for BT so they can roll out all over the UK gradually. As you might expect it is hitting the City's first, however should be accessible to everybody come early 2001. ASDL is in some way like an advanced (stage2) form of ISDN, it can take your current copper phone line and transfer at speeds of up to 2Mbps (Mega Bits Per Second). Like C-Modems they are limited to 256Kbps upload and consumer speeds will likely go to 512Kbps.

Prices are still in the cooking pan but are likely to be very high monthly costs; around £100 is the early prediction. As with C-Modems it's a flat fee so you can access the I-Net 24-7 quite happily without restriction. ADSL looks to be the more viable connection for the near future and are rolling out during the first months of 2000.

-Powerline:
Last but by no means least is the much-hyped Powerline, a system that allows ADSL style data transfers down your power cord to your house. Running at about the same speed and as yet with no costing details, this service is already know to be successful and is being offered on trial in Scotland. If and when it does go public then it would have the capacity to reach your house instantly, making it incredibly viable. Time has yet to tell what will happen with this service against ADSL and C-Modems.

A faster future

As all of the above attest to, we do indeed have a faster Internet to look forward to in the not so distant future. 70-80% of us will not see the likes of C-Modems, ADSL or Powerline for between one and two years, by the time we do see them costs will have fallen and the systems will be more viable in general. Soon you will be able to watch TV quality video live over the Internet, listen to music in real time with perfect quality (can do now with ISDN 128Kbps) and play games at LAN speeds.

It could be said that the introduction of these new technologies provides the stepping-stones for a whole new style of entertainment and media. Time will tell just how far they will take us but in 5 years time one thing is for sure, the Internet will be very different from how it is today.