Dial-up access is a form of Internet access through which the client uses a modem linked to a computer and telephone line.
This is used to dial onto an Internet service provider node, to set up a modem-to-modem link, which is then routed to the Internet.
In spite of the advent of widely available broadband Internet access globally, a number of people around the world prefer to connect through dial-up.
This is for the simple reason that they do not have access to or are unable to pay a large amount for an expensive fast Internet connection.
A dial up Internet connection has a number of pros and cons.
A dial up access is easily available in regions where telephone lines exist.
It proves to be a boon for restricted net users in areas, where free or pay-per-use broadband is not available.
Day extenders may find that their restricted usage does not demand subscribing to a business-class broadband service at their home and that a usage-centered dial-up plan may suffice.
A dial up connection provides the maximum advantage to a person who needs to use the Internet while traveling.
It requires the subscriber to pay per use.
Dial up connections use a phone line for accessing the Internet and problems relating to the same are bound to occur.
Apart from this speed proves to the main limitation of a dial up access.
It is expensive since the user has to pay for both, the Internet connection as well the telephone.
Dial-up connections generally have high latency, as high as 200 ms or more.
This makes videoconferencing or online gaming difficult, if not impossible.
Another drawback of dial up access is that the term high speed is often misleading.
These processes only make more proficient use of the already present bandwidth.