A cable modem is a device that enables a computer to access the Internet through a cable TV connection. Cable modems typically connect to a computer through an Ethernet network card or USB port. The cable TV service offers several advantages over telephone-based Internet access technologies (such as dial-up and ADSL). Most importantly, cable TV uses broadband, the coaxial cable which is inherently capable of carrying higher speed data than telephone wiring. Cable services typically have data rates of 1.5 to 3Mbps in both directions (uploading and downloading). Cable modems are also relatively easy to configure and can be purchased at retail stores— ADSL modems cannot. See ADSL modem, dial-up modem.