There are various options to getting connected to the World Wide Web. You can have dial-up connectivity, broadband, satellite Internet or ISDN connection. There are advantages and disadvantages for all of them. ISDN is a good option in places where broadband and satellite Internet are not available. ISDN connections have bandwidth speed of 128 kbps and if multiple line option is available the speed can go up to 384 kbps. The connections are expensive, and are charged on usage unlike broadband and satellite Internet connections which is a flat monthly fee. ISDN lines can be used for voice data calls, faxing, videoconferencing and high-speed data access.

ISDN is a good option to access Internet if the usage is minimal. If the usage is moderate or extensive then using a satellite Internet or broadband services would be a better option. If we try to analyze what went wrong with ISDN services, we find that there are a couple of factors that were responsible for the downside of this technology. Analysts and technologists attribute the downfall of ISDN to the three Cs. ISDN has always been viewed as a costly service. The data services are sold on a usage bases. Hence ISDN has failed to match the price war which has been unleashed by broadband and satellite Internet providers such as HughesNet. In spite of its drawbacks corporations still use ISDN facilities for their communication requirements. There are other drawbacks to ISDN services apart from the cost. Transfer of data is limited with ISDN technology; it is limited to 64 kbps. This speed was sufficient for home use some years back, but with the advent of broadband Internet connectivity speeds of 256 kbps or more have become standard for home use. All these come without the cost and complexity of ISDN technology. Moreover, ISDN technology is not easy to install. There are different manufacturers who produce equipment and products that are not compatible with each other.

ISDN has suffered in growth due to many reasons; and with newer technologies being developed, ISDN service providers have not been able to keep up the pace. The competition for ISDN is DSL, cable modems and Satellite Internet. ISDN facilities cannot be accessed if you are not close to the service providers office where all the equipment is installed. Hence it is not an option if you are staying in a place which is far away from the city. The infrastructure plays a big role in the service levels offered by ISDN service providers. The services are sensitive to unusual wiring and may be hampered if wiring is not done properly. You should have PPP (Point-to-Point Protocol) for installing your ISDN system and your system should also have the requisite software for running ISDN services.

With many disadvantages the popularity of ISDN is decreasing by the day. New technologies such as satellite Internet will slowly capture a bigger market share. Companies such as HughesNet and WildBlue are taking big strides in newer technologies to offer better services to customers.

HughesNet offers high speed Satellite Internet to rural areas where DSL and Cable modem do not reach.

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