High-Speed Network Access from Off Campus

Introduction

This page documents the various long-term, high-speed, off-campus network access options available to Champaign-Urbana residents and nearby communities.

If you are trying to select a particular service, the Choosing an Internet Service Provider page may be helpful; if you want an overview of all of the major high-speed options, this page will provide a side-by-side comparison.

Note that this page describes services that are available to residences, including houses and apartments. These services are usually available on a monthly or yearly basis, not simply for a few hours. For short-term high-speed access from temporary locations, such as a visit to a coffeehouse or library or a weekend trip elsewhere, see the Travel page and the Networking Scenarios.

Disclaimer: Not all of the technologies below are available in all areas of Champaign-Urbana and its surrounding cities. You'll need to determine which services are available for your particular address. In addition, this list may not be comprehensive, and is not intended as a particular endorsement of any individual service provider. If you represent a local-area high-speed Internet service provider who has not yet been listed, contact CITES Documentation to be included in this list.

High-speed networking options by technology

Each type of network technology has its own advantages and disadvantages, described below.

Technologies are listed alphabetically, including cable modems, Ethernet, high-speed phone line technologies such as ISDN and DSL, and wireless.

Cable modems

• Advantages:
  Cable modems use the same cabling as your television, so there are no extra wiring issues to consider. Cable modems are significantly faster than 56K dialup and usually faster than ISDN or DSL. Prices are usually comparable to the other high-speed access methods.
  
• Disadvantages:
  Cable modems are slower than Ethernet, though potentially faster than any phone line method. Cable modem access is more expensive than most 56K dialup methods. The actual rate you experience depends on network use in your area.
  
• Local providers:
  Comcast
  

Ethernet

• Advantages:
  Ethernet networking is the fastest network type available, and most recent computers have an Ethernet port built in. (Your Ethernet port can also be used to attach your computer to a modem that provides high-speed access to another technology, including cable modem or ISDN/DSL.)
  
• Disadvantages:
  It's uncommon to find Ethernet access directly to individual houses or apartments, and having Ethernet wiring installed to your location is more expensive than using existing cable or phone wires. However, some housing complexes do provide Ethernet network access for residents; check with your landlord for more details.
  
• Local providers:
  No commercial providers that work directly with individual home users. UIUCnet Ethernet access is available in some certified student housing units. Soltec's HALO program is available in some apartment and condominium complexes.
  

High-speed phone lines: ISDN, DSL, and ADSL

• Advantages:
  Many buildings can perform high-speed ISDN or DSL/ADSL connections over existing telephone cable. An external ISDN/DSL/ADSL modem can connect to your computer through USB, Ethernet, or wireless methods, so that you don't need to place your computer next to the telephone jack in your wall. Prices are usually comparable to the other high-speed access methods.
  
• Disadvantages:
  While ISDN and DSL/ADSL are much faster than regular dialup, they can be slower than other forms of broadband access such as cable modems or wireless. High-speed access is more expensive than most 56K dialup methods.
  
• Local providers:
  ADSL: SBC Yahoo DSL
  DSL or ISDN: Innernet
  ISDN: UIUCnet Premier ISDN, Shouting Ground

Wireless

• Advantages:
  Satellite-based or long-distance wireless networking can reach areas that would be too expensive to reach with physical cables or that would require significant internal rewiring work in a building. Prices are usually comparable to the other high-speed access methods. If you are in range of the CU Wireless network, access is free.
  
• Disadvantages:
  Areas of coverage are limited. Wireless networking is inherently less secure than wired networking, as explained in VPN for Wireless Users. You will need to use third-party encryption such as the campus VPN server or take other precautions to make sure that all of your communication is encrypted until it reaches a wired network, since wireless networking does not yet offer a truly secure native encryption standard.
  
• Local providers:
  CU Wireless: Free community wireless network currently centered in Urbana.
  Volo: Commercial wireless network with Champaign and Urbana coverage, but not yet available to outlying communities such as Mahomet or Rantoul.