Types of Broadband

Types of Broadband
Fig. 1 shows that there are three different types of
broadband. It’s important to decide which is right for you.
A lot will depend on which service is available where you
live. For most people this is ADSL.
What is it? ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. It
means that you can use your existing home telephone
to get connected to broadband.
What’s the benefit? In the UK it’s widely available to a majority of homes.
When you order ADSL you get all the kit and software
you need in the post and you install it yourself.
Any disadvantages? You might be unlucky enough to live in a rural area that
doesn’t offer ADSL. And if you live a long way from
your nearest broadband telephone exchange, you
may only be able to get a restricted speed of service.
ADSL also uses the same telephone line in your street.
If many people in your street have ADSL and are online
at the same time, performance can be affected.
What is it? This brings broadband into your home via your TV
cable service. The cable company runs a wire from
your street straight into the back of your computer.
What’s the benefit? It’s just like ADSL but you’ll find faster services on
cable. Cable can be a great deal if you already have
cable TV or bundle it with a cable telephone package.
Any disadvantages? Cable isn’t widely available. In the UK it covers less
than 50% of homes. If you don’t like the idea of running
cables around your house it’s not ideal. Like ADSL,
you can also suffer speed restrictions if everyone in
your street is using it at the same time.
What is it? Broadband using a satellite dish attached to your
home or garden.
What’s the benefit? Really only for people in isolated areas who cannot get
ADSL or cable.
Any disadvantages? It’s more expensive, incurs high set-up charges and
only offers slower broadband speeds. Satellite is limited
to being up to 10 times faster than dial-up Internet and
if you want to upload information to the Internet rather
than download, it’s slow – only 5 times as fast. Poor
weather can also interrupt the connection.