INTERNET Q & A: Brought to you by CNN.COM

<p>Q: What is the difference between "dial-up" & "always on" internet </p><p>access? </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>A: Dial-up access is exactly what the term states. The user must dial </p><p>into the service provider in order to get online. A typical example of </p><p>this is with home internet access, the user "dials-up" through a modem </p><p>to connect. In the wireless medium, a similar example would be the WAP </p><p>access via handheld phones. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Always-on access is a networked system that is constantly connected to </p><p>the Internet. There is no need to separately link to Internet </p><p>services. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>An example of this is broadband for online and DoCoMo's iMode service </p><p>for handheld phones. This means the user does not need to wait to </p><p>connect. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>Ease of access and cost effectiveness for the user makes the latter the </p><p>method of choice for many. </p><p><BR><BR> </p><p>If you have any questions for this column, write to </p><p>cnni.asia@turner.com. </p><p><BR><BR> </p>