Since the rapid advancement of computing systems, it has changed the way we communicate with them and through them. Remember the days when you used dialup modems to access the internet?
If you can’t remember such a time, you are more than lucky to be able to enjoy an advanced era. That said, DSL, cable, and satellite internet still require the use of telephone cables, but DSL is more prevalent in rural areas. However, DSL is not as reliable and fast as cable internet and fiber optics.
Xfinity Internet, for instance, offers a hybrid fiber-coaxial connection, with speeds up to 2000 Mbps, something DSL can’t offer. If you want to learn more about Xfinity, but are a fluent Spanish speaker, call XfinityEspanol, and inquire as much as you need, and that too, in Espanol!
You can connect to the internet through a modem and a router. But, for this article, we will be focusing on the modem. A modem offers a different function than a router. In this article, we will explore what a modem is and how it works.
So, without further ado, let’s get started!
What is a Modem?
First and foremost, what does “modem” even mean? The modem is known as a Modulator and Demodulator. In other words, this is what it does. It allows you to connect multiple devices that communicate through telephone lines.
If you are using cable internet, your Internet Service Provider (ISP) probably provides you with a modem. Some ISPs also allow you to use your equipment, and in all honesty, it might be a better option to purchase a high-quality modem on your own.
Modems use analog signals to transfer digital information from one device to the others. The data is transmitted through a telephone cable and then converted to digital information, once it is received by the device.
The whole purpose of a modem is to convert data into digital information from one touchpoint to the other. That said, there are different types of modems – DSL modems, cable modems, and fiber modems.
You will rarely ever come across dial-up modems today, especially with how advanced technology has become.
How Does a Modem Work?
The modem has a rather easy technical setup. It makes it so much easier to understand how the modem works. Here’s what you require for a modem, and how it truly functions:
- A telephone line that allows devices to connect to the modem.
- An IP address is provided by your ISP.
- A modem uses the Wide Area Network (WAN) to assign devices a public IP address, which allows the modem to identify the various devices connected to it.
In simple words, a modem transmits digital information to create a line of communication to the device and back to the modem.
Why Do You Need a Modem?
You require a modem to transmit data from two key networks of your internet connection – your ISP’s connection and your home network. Your home network is not connected to your ISP through an Ethernet cable, for which you need a modem.
It’s not a must to have a modem, because it ultimately depends on the type of internet you are using. Fiber internet, for instance, is Ethernet-proof. It utilizes glass fiber, unlike cable internet. Since the backbone of the internet network is fiber, your ISP’s network is fiber as well.
The one thing that determines the need for a modem, is the last mile of your connection. For hybrid connection, the backbone is surely fiber, but the last mile is copper wire. In other words, you need a modem for hybrid connections too.
So, when it comes to a cable and DSL internet connection, you need a modem. But, for fiber-optic internet, you can stay modem-free. Today, however, there are advanced high-quality routers that are both a combination of a router and modem.
Typically, you need both a router and modem to access the internet, so if you have the option to buy a router that offers both functions, there’s no reason not to get it. A modem will send data via an Ethernet cable that is then received by a router.
The router will send Wi-Fi signals to devices, and that allows devices to access the internet. The modem is different from a router, but it is as important as the latter.
All in All
You need a modem if you have DSL, cable, or satellite internet. However, you don’t need one if you are using fiber internet. Moreover, it’s always a good option to use your equipment, as you can buy a high-quality router that has the functions of a modem as well.
We hope you now understand what a modem is, how it works, and why it is important for your internet type. jabbalab
