Lesson 3. Internet access

Words and word combinations:

Internet access – доступ в Интернет

dedicated access – специальный доступ

dial-up access – доступ по телефонной линии

wireless access – беспроводной доступ

subscriber – абонент

high-capacity – мощный

digital subscriber line – цифровая абонентская линия

to grab – захватывать

satellite access – спутниковый доступ

outdoor satellite dish – наружная спутниковая тарелка

convenient – удобный

sequence – последовательность

audible tone – слышимый тон

digital value – цифровая величина

receiving side – приемная сторона, абонент-получатель

TEXT

INTERNET ACCESS

The term Internet access refers to the communication between a residence or a business and an ISP that connects to the Internet. Access falls into three broad categories: dedicated, dial-up, and wireless. With dedicated access, a subscriber’s computer remains directly connected to the Internet at all times through a permanent, physical connection. Most large businesses have high-capacity dedicated connections; small businesses or individuals that desire dedicated access choose technologies such as digital subscriber line (DSL) or cable modems, which both use existing wiring to lower cost.

A DSL sends data across the same wires that telephone service uses, and cable modems use the same wiring that cable television uses. In each case, the electronic devices that are used to send data over the wires employ separate frequencies or channels that do not interfere with other signals on the wires. Thus, a DSL Internet connection can send data over a pair of wires at the same time the wires are being used for a telephone call. Cable modems can send data over a cable at the same time the cable is being used to receive television signals.

Another, less-popular, option is satellite Internet access, in which a computer grabs an Internet signal from orbiting satellites via an outdoor satellite dish. The user usually pays a fixed monthly fee for a dedicated connection. In exchange, the company providing the connection agrees to relay data between the user’s computer and the Internet.

Dial-up is the least expensive access technology, but it is also the least convenient. To use dial-up access, a subscriber must have a telephone modem, a device that connects a computer to the telephone system and is capable of converting data into sounds and sounds back into data. The user’s ISP provides software that controls the modem. To access the Internet, the user opens the software application, which causes the dial-up modem to place a telephone call to the ISP. A modem at the ISP answers the call, and the two modems use audible tones to send data in both directions. When one of the modems is given data to send, the modem converts the data from the digital values used by computers—numbers stored as a sequence of 1s and 0s—into tones. The receiving side converts the tones back into digital values. Unlike dedicated access technologies, a dial-up modem does not use separate frequencies, so the telephone line cannot be used for regular telephone calls at the same time a dial-up modem is sending data.

1. Find the English equivalents in the text:

обычные телефонные звонки; способный преобразовывать данные; фиксированная месячная плата; место жительства; наружная спутниковая тарелка; напрямую подключенный к Интернету; отдельные частоты; отправлять данные в двух направлениях; передавать данные; принимать телевизионные сигналы; модем телефонной линии; использовать сеть проводов для снижения затрат

2. True or false?

1) Dial-up is the most expensive access technology.

2) A DSL sends data across the same wires that telephone service uses.

3) Internet access falls into five broad categories.

4) A dial-up modem always uses separate frequencies.

5) To use dial-up access, a subscriber must have a telephone modem.

6) Most large businesses have high-capacity dedicated connections.

7) The user usually pays a fixed daily fee for a dedicated connection.

8) Satellite Internet access is not a very popular option.

3. Answer the questions:

1) What does the term Internet access refer to?

2) Name three main categories of the access.

3) What technologies prefer to use existing wiring to lower cost?

4) What is the principle of work of cable modems?

5) How much does the user usually pay for a dedicated Internet connection?

6) What is the least expensive and the least convenient access technology?

7) Why does the subscriber use the modem software application?

8) Does the dial-up modem use separate frequency or not?

4. Make up the summary of the text.