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Issue
24 - June 2000
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Broadband
Internet Service for Staff Use at Home
By
Raymond Poon
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With reference to our
article on “Broadband: An Express Highway to the Net”
published in the last issue of Network Computing as well
as the CSC Forum on “Introduction to Broadband Internet”,
it has become clear that broadband is gradually replacing the
traditional 56Kbps modem line in terms of Internet access from
home. With so many Internet Service Providers (ISP) jumping on
the bandwagon to provide broadband Internet services, let us examine
some of the benefits it may bring to our staff when we subscribe
these services:
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Enable staff development
and self-learning through fast Internet access and hence add
values to their teaching and research.
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Maintain effective
communication with the University and students while staff are
at home.
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Communication links
that are used to deliver broadband services are dedicated ones
(though the actual line speed and performance may vary from
ISP to ISP), staff will not have the frustration of repeatedly
trying to find an unengaged modem line. Some ISPs even offer
free access to their 56K modem pools for use by staff’s
other computers.
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If staff had already
subscribed to an additional phone line primarily for Internet
access, they should seriously consider replacing it by switching
to the broadband service since there is only around HK$100 difference
in the monthly rental charge but many times difference in speed.
However, some ISPs, on top of the rental charge, may impose
an access charge of around $2 per hour.
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A broadband service
is many times faster than a 56K dial-up line. Many services
such as: FTP, IP phone, download software, etc which staff hesitate
to do with a 56K dial-up line will become more accessible when
staff subscribe to broadband services. Moreover, if staff's
PCs are networked together and running Windows 98 Second Edition
or later version, they will all be able to have access to the
Internet through the same broadband connection using Ethernet
technology.
With the extra funding allocated
to departments this year, departments are urged to consider paying
the Broadband Internet Service charges in full or in part for
some or all their staff so that they can tap the vast and useful
information provided on the Internet for their own development
at home, which in turn can benefit the University as a whole.
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