ISP related terms & specifications

Upload
To transfer data from a computer to a server or network. For example, if you use a personal computer to log on to the internet and you want to send files to the web, you must upload the files from your PC to the internet.

Download
To copy data like an entire file from a main source to a peripheral device. The term is often used to describe the process of copying a file from an online service to one’s own computer. Downloading can also refer to copying a file from a network file server to a computer on the network.
The most common upload/download speeds offered by most of the Isp’s is:
32 kbps/ 128 kbps
64 kbps/ 256 kbps
128 kbps/ 512 kbps
faster connections are available, but are very cost intensive.
Dial-up
With a modem you can be connected to the internet using the public telephone network. It is just like a phone connection, but at the two ends are not people but two computers. With dial-up access upload/download speeds are limited and because of using a normal telephone line, the connection quality is not reliable. The fastest data rate is 56 kbps (56000 bits per second). If you want to use the internet more than just checking your emails, than it is a rather expensive option.
Modem
Modulator-demodulator. A modem is a device which allows a computer to transmit data over, for example, telephone or cable lines. Computer information is filed digitally, whereas information send over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analog waves. A modem is converting between these two forms.

ISDN
Integrated services digital network, an international communications standard for sending voice, video, and data over digital telephone lines or normal telephone wires. ISDN supports data transfer rates of 64 Kbps (64,000 bits per second). It is available in Kenya with some ISP’s, but as an outdated option and faster possibilities on the market, not recommended.
DSL/XDSL
The collective term for all types of digital subscriber lines. There are four main types called ADSL, SDSL, HDSL and VDSL. These DSL Technologies use sophisticated modulation to transfer data with copper wires. Here in Kenya only ADSL is available.
ADSL
It stands for asymmetric digital subscriber line, a new technology that allows more data to be sent over existing copper telephone lines (POTS). ADSL supports data rates of from 1.5 to 9 Mbps when receiving data (known as the downstream rate) and from 16 to 640 Kbps when sending data (known as the upstream rate).
A special ADSL Router is required and you need a physical phone line.
Router
A router is a device to transmit data between Networks. At least two networks are required, commonly two LAN’s or WAN’s or a LAN and its ISP’s network. Routers are located at gateways, the places where two or more networks connect.
The place where two or more networks are connected is called a gateway and that is where Routers are located. They use ICMP protocols to communicate with each and then they configure the best route between two hosts.
If you are connected with ADSL, a router instead of a modem is required. One network is the Internet Service Provider, the other is your Network (or just one computer, which is considered as a network).
Upload/download speed in kbps
The transfer speed in modems is measured in kilobits per second. One Kbps is 1,000 bits per second, whereas a KB (kilobyte) is 1,024 bytes (2 hoch 10 bytes). Additionally, one byte is 8 bit. Data transfer rates are measured using the decimal meaning of K whereas data storage is measured using the powers-of-2 meaning of K. Technically, kbps should be spelled with a lowercase k to indicate that it is decimal but almost everyone spells it with a capital K.
WLAN
Acronym for wireless local-area network. Another term used is also LAWN. A type of local-area network that uses high-frequency radio waves rather than wires to communicate. With an integrated or plugged in receiver you can get the signal with the laptop or computer. The radius of the signal is normally a couple of hundred metres.

Wireless Internet provider
Like the term states, you are connected wireless, which means there is no physical wired connection between sender and receiver maintaining the network communication by microwaves and/or radio waves. Instead of wires (optical fiber or copper) Routers and other special equipment (NIC’s, AP’s) are used for connectivity. In Kenya bigger cities may get the signal, but remote areas are in question. You will have to find out in your area with a certain ISP.
Receiver
For a wireless Internet provider you need the antenna to get the signal to the Receiver.

EDGE- Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution
GPRS-General Packet Radio Service
GSM-Global system for mobile communication
HSDPA-High Speed Downlink Packet Access
OS-Operating System
PIN-Personal Identification Number
SAR-Specific Absorption Rate
SIM-Subscriber Identity Module
UMTS-Universal Module Telecommunications System
USB-Universal Serial Bus
USIM-UMTS Subscriber Identity Module
WCDMA-Wideband Code Division Multiple Access