Internet
Types of Internet services you may choose from
Fixed
If you are going to use the internet service in a particular location such as at home, you require a fixed type of internet service. There are two types of fixed internet connection: wired or wireless connections.
Wired
A wired connection is a high-speed internet service transmitted using hard-wired connection. You can check your connection speed by running a number of speed tests at different times of the day. You can run the speed tests from the Malta Internet Health Monitoring System (IHMS). The IHMS will test your connection against the local back bone. The performance of a broadband may vary due to a number of factors including:
- the connection between your ISP's modem and the computer accessing the internet;
- the capabilities of your computer and its state of maintenance, for instance any viruses which the computer may have;
- the number of users using the internet at the same time;
- the capabilities of the server which you are accessing. This includes the type of connection which it uses to connect to the Internet; and
- the way that data is delivered over the Internet requires the collaboration between a number of networks which belong to different parties. The more networks are involved in the delivery of the data, the slower the speed that can be achieved.
There are a number of technologies providing wired internet connections, which include the following:
- DSL stands for Digital Subscriber Line: DSL is a family of high-speed broadband technology delivered over the telephone lines installed at your home/business. DSL services allow voice and data to share the same infrastructure and usually require a splitter at your premises to separate voice and data traffic from the line. To date, the speeds offered on the local platform can reach 35Mbps.
- CABLE BROADBAND: This is a high-speed Internet service provided over the cable network, using the same cable (known as coaxial cable) used to deliver television services. This service requires a cable modem connected to your computer. To date, the service offered using this technology reaches the 100Mbps.
- FIBRE BROADBAND: This technology permits broadband internet to be delivered to the your premises through fibre optic wires, which are very thin strands made of plastic or glass. Fibre broadband technology can offer broadband speeds which can be even higher than the DSL and Cable technologies. This technology is being rolled out in the local market and therefore before subscribing to this service it is important to confirm whether this service is available in your area.
Wireless nomadicity
This is a high-speed Internet service transmitted using wireless technology. This type of broadband service is not available from a single fixed point but from anywhere within a specific area. Note that the device used to connect to the wireless connection has to be used within a particular area. WiFi is a good example of wireless broadband connection.
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WiFi stands for Wireless Fidelity: WiFi can be availed of in conjunction with any broadband service, including: DSL and Cable. With this type of internet connection, you will not need to connect your laptop to a network cable to access the Internet from different places in your house/office.
To set-up a WiFi system, you will need to install a wireless modem, similar to a normal modem but having an incorporated antenna in addition to the standard connection. Your internet service provider may offer a wireless modem, however you may also purchase a wireless modem from any retail outlet selling such modems. Most wireless modems provide coverage (where the signal can reach) of about 100 feet (30.5 metres) in all directions. This area is usually referred to as a 'hotspot'. Note that any obstruction between the WiFi hotspot and the wireless device (laptop, smartphone, etc) such as walls and doors will weaken or block the signal and thus reduce its range. If you wish to have a WiFi connection in large premises, you may need to have more than one WiFi hot spot to obtain coverage.
If you install a WiFi hotspot in your home, it is very important that you ask your service provider or a technician about security measures to ensure that nobody else in the vicinity will be able to access your home network. This is important because:
- anybody will be able to access your internet service, which will reduce the quality of the service that you will enjoy; and
- people wishing to carry out illicit activities online may use your connection to do so and it will be very difficult for you to prove that you were not involved in the activity.
To access the hotspot, you will either need a device with a wireless adapter which can be either in-built (common in laptops and smartphones) or as an external device you can attach to your computer.
You can also find Wi-Fi hotspots in offices, coffee shops, Internet cafes, libraries and so on, where you will be able to access the internet with your laptop or other wireless device in that particular area. Note that such hotspots may be offered at a charge. The Malta Communications Authority, together with other entities, offer access to free WiFi in various areas around Malta and Gozo. Access our free WiFi locator to find the site nearest to you.
Mobile
If you are going to use the internet service when you are on the move, you need a mobile type of internet service. Mobile type of internet connection includes data transmission delivered by the cellular carriers to mobile handsets and wireless devices. These speeds are less than those offered for the fixed broadband such as DSL, Cable and Fibre. There are two types of technologies, which are 3G and 3.5G.
- 3G stands for Third Generation technology: This technology transmits data at higher speeds on your mobile phone and wireless devices thereby enabling you to access broadband Internet from any location.
- 3.5G is an enhancement of the data service offered by the 3G network. This is also known as the High Speed Packet Access (HSPA) technology. This type of network offers even higher speeds than 3G networks.
More information on internet services is available on the MCA’s Consumer Tips and FAQs sections.
