What is dial-up internet access?

Dial-up internet access requires the use of a telephone line, which links to a modem that is connected to a computer. And Internet Service Provider’s (ISP’s) node is then dialed which establishes a modem-to-modem link which is then routed to the internet.

Availability of dial-up internet access

There is no additional infrastructure required for dial-up on top of the telephone network. Dial-ups remain useful to travelers due to there being telephone points throughout the world, and tends to be the only choice of internet connection available for most rural or remote areas. This is because where there is low population and demand, it is impossible to get broadband.

For people that have a limited budget, sometimes dial-up internet access is the only alternative as it is offered for free by some. In the UK however, broadband is becoming increasingly available at lower prices due to market competition.

Depending on the location, dial-up requires time to establish a telephone connection. In places with telephone connection charges, an incremental charge is incurred for each connection. If calls are time-charged, the duration of the connection incurs costs.

The internet user or the ISP terminates the connection with dial-up, making the connection temporary. To prevent hogging of access, ISP’s sometimes set a limit to the connection durations which disconnects the user. This then requires reconnection and the costs and delays which are associated with it.

Broadband and the replacement of dial-up internet access

In many parts of the world since about the year 2000, dial-up internet access has been increasingly replaced by broadband internet access (cable and DSL). This is mainly because of broadband connections featuring speeds which far exceed the capacity of dial-up, as well as reducing prices under dial-up prices.

Many areas still remain without high speed internet, however, despite the eagerness of potential customers. This can be attributed to population, location, or sometimes ISPs' lack of interest due to little chance of profitability and high costs to build an infrastructure where none exists.