A modem is a hardware device that handles communication between a computer and its ISP.
The quality of a modem is measured by the rate at which it can send and receive information. A faster modem means better performance when working on the Internet. For this reason, it's a good idea to buy the fastest modem you can afford. Keep in mind, however, that the speed of information transmission is also determined by your ISP.
Some modems are located inside a computer (internal modems), while others are located outside (external modems).While internal modems are less expensive, their installation and maintenance are more difficult.