Updated April 18, 2023
Introduction to Types of Broadband
Broadband is a term common to all who use the internet on their phones as well as Wi-Fi services in their houses. It is a household term, and most of us know the description of broadband and the way it works. Broadband services cover a wide bandwidth and have several signals to be followed and transmitted within their spectrum. We can say that broadband is the service that provides high-speed internet access that transfers data. Software is used in the broadband device to access the internet. It is a single channel technology, and there are different types of broadband. Let us look into the types of broadband.
Types of Broadband
Broadband is classified based on the high-speed transmission technologies being used in the communication network.
1. Digital Subscriber Line
Digital data is transmitted over the normal telephone lines in DSL. This type of transmission technology uses wires to transmit data faster than traditional methods. The transmission speed is at the rate of a hundred kbps to Mbps in a second. It depends on how far the telephone company is situated from your business or home, wherever you use the service. They provide two types of services to businesses: high rate and very high rate digital subscriber line. DSL transmission can be divided into two types.
- Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line
This connection is preferred by individuals who require lots of data but do not send much data. Residential consumers are the backbone of ADSL. Faster data is provided in the downstream when compared with upstream data, and hence this is an advantage for residential consumers. Also, voice call services provided here will not disrupt other services in the same line, such as traditional phone services or the normal phone calls. This is the common service used for internet access.
- Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line
Businesses mostly prefer this service as the data is provided at the same speed both upstream and downstream. It works opposite ASDL because here, download speeds and upload speeds are the same. Standardization has not yet happened in this service, and thus it works only with a single vendor.
2. Cable Modem
The coaxial cables that provide entertainment to the users via TV sets are used to provide broadband in the cable modem. The transmission speed is 1.5 Mbps and more than this. Two connections are made in this modem, one to the device and one to the cable wall outlet. ISP is not needed in this service as the broadband connection can be used by switching on the device. Also, it provides a TV connection as well even though the broadband service is used. The speeds are on par with DSL, and the cable network plays a role in the transmission speed.
3. Fibre
Electric signals are converted to light, and this light helps in the transmission of data through glass fibres. These fibres have a diameter compared to that of human hair. The data transmission is faster than the DSL and cable modem. This fibre can also provide voice and video service on demand. The speed depends on the configuration and the bandwidth in use. Telecommunications offer fibre technology for voice, video, and internet services.
4. Wireless
A radio link is used to connect the user’s device with the service provider’s connection, and it is either fixed or mobile. An antenna is needed for wireless connection, and it is used where DSL and cable usage would be costly. Longer range directional equipment is used, and a line of sight is needed between transmitter and receiver for the fixed devices. A licensed and unlicensed spectrum is used to provide services. WLANs are used to provide this broadband service, and mostly the last mile reach within the institution or business is provided with the help of WLAN. Public internet access is provided with the help of unlicensed devices.
5. Satellite devices
This is mostly used to provide services in remote areas where other modes of communication are difficult. As satellite devices provide voice and video services, they can be used to provide broadband connections as well. Here owing to other factors in speed, a major concern is with the climate. Line of sight of the orbit is also a matter of concern. Hence the speed is less when compared to DSL and cable. The upload and download speeds are different, where the download speed is 500 kbps, and the upload speed is about 80 kbps. But when compared with dial-up access, they are faster.
6. Broadband over Powerline
The broadband connection is offered in low and medium electric voltage distribution, and the speed is similar to that of DSL and cable modem. Separate power connections are not required as the broadband services can be taken from the existing electric connections. This is a new technology and is used only in very few places. As the powerlines are built everywhere, it is easy to use the broadband connection as it does not require separate facilities.
Advantages of Broadband
- It is always the speed consideration when comparing broadband with a dial-up connection. Broadband is faster and has a wider bandwidth. Online gaming and downloading of movies are possible only with broadband.
- The phone connection is not affected and works well even while using broadband access. It is transmitted through the same network and works well.
- A dial-up number is not required, and the service is always available whenever needed.
- With the change of technology, broadband has changed the face of internet connection, and all the services of the internet are readily available now.
- Unlimited access is another advantage, and the connection is never interrupted. The price is not calculated based on the time duration but based on the speed and the amount of data used.
Conclusion
Several factors affect the selection of broadband type. It depends on the price, availability in the area we reside, and the services combined with the broadband type. They can be a telephone or any other form of entertainment. Since broadband is faster than traditional dial-up connections, many prefer to work with broadband.
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