Cable modems can be preferred just for their high-data speed. While a dial-up connection can connect at a speed of 56.6 kbps, you can download data at a speed of 30.34 mbps and upload at a speed of 10.24 mbps using a cable modem. The quality of video is very high as has been seen in a television using a cable connection.

High bandwidth of 6 mega hertz and adherence of protocols like TCP/IP, UDP and TFTP can throw open greater freedom to internet users but for the moment, the relatively high price-band may hold them back. Askey, which launched its brands like CME 010, has priced the product at Rs 15,000.

Apart from this, the hardware market continued to be dull. Motherboards continued to surge during the last week also onshortage. The Intel products have been witnessing a shortage since the company is planning to launch a completely new series of products. The new product is expected to cost around Rs 4,500, well above the current series of products.

Intel's CPU prices, which are under revision, may hold firm since the demand is good. AMD has launched a new chip in level with Intel's P-III series but has been priced low.

Modem prices, especially internal cards, have been witnessing a minor slide due to low demand. The week understudy also saw them change by Rs 50-100 range.