Understanding Broadband
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Are You Ready To Upgrade to fast a internet connection?
by: David Jackson
Are you ready to upgrade your residential
service to DSL or business service to real broadband
or T1? The answer clearly depends on exactly what you need
and want from internet broadband. Before you can work out
your internet needs, you must understand more of what the
word "broadband"
really means. Below are some technical terms for a better
understanding of broadband.
Broadband Terminology
First of all, you must know some of the broadband
terminology! The word broadband itself simply is
defined as a high speed Internet service that gives you continuous
access to the Internet on a consistent basis. Broadband includes
a technology called ADSL which stands for Asymmetric Digital
Subscriber Line and requires a special modem to access the
line. This broadband technology uses the common copper telephone
wire to provide Internet access speeds from 1.5 to 9 megabytes
per second. The only real modifications necessary are performed
in the telephone exchance. DSL technologies or Digital Subscriber
Lines use a higher frequency than standard telephone communication.
DSL Configurations
There are several types of DSL configurations
including ADSL or Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Lines, HDSL
or High data rate DSL, and VDSL or Very High Data Rate DSL.
A DSL line dynamically increases the capacity of ordinary
copper wire. Since the signal is stronger the closer you are
to the DSL Access Multiplexor or DSLAM the faster your signal
will be the closer you are to the DSL provider's Central Office
or distribution point. DSL lines are typically used for small
business and residential customers.
As needs grow, you will require more and more
data and so you will need a larger and larger pipe (Internet
access line or physical copper wire) to transport the data.
This is where more sophisticated forms of broadband come in
for business use. The terms for this type of broadband is
measured by the amount of data that the line transfers.
T1 Broadband Internet Connections
T1 -Transmits data in the range of one - two
million bits per second (1-2MBPS) and is generally used by
small and medium companies with large requirements for internet
usage, both uploading and downloading. A T-1 line is usually
priced depending on the amount of bandwidth that is used.
Typical uses are large graphic files, photographs, sound files,
music, video, etc. However, your company should evaluate the
amount of data and computers that are connected for Internet
Access at the same time. T1 lines in the United States carry
a 24 pulse code modulation (PCM) signal using time-division
multiplexing (TDM).
These lines use copper wire which usually
connect major metropolitan areas. There are a number of high
quality companies that offer T1 Broadband
and you will find that prices do vary so it is important that
you compare.
Local Cable Broadband
You may also find that your
local cable provider may have introduced their version
of broadband which actually can emulate one side of a T1 connection.
However, you should be aware... you may actually get 1.5 mpbs
on the download side, but when you try to upload a file, your
bandwidth is cut down to about 1/10th. A cable connection
is made for residential customers to surf the Internet with
great speed and download files, but not made for you to upload
with great speed. This slow upload limit is the major difference
between a real T1 line and cable.
Other Types of Broadband
There are many other types of broadband
connections that are much faster than T1, these range
from T3 (3 times faster than T1) to the OC-48, and a frame
relay connection which is practically the same thing, but
with much larger lines that can transmit the data.
It is important to seek an unbiased opinion
and research for the best price
and level of service for your T1 line. Broadband is a commodity,
and changes as new subscribers come online in specified areas.
In short you are ready for a broadband
connection if you are fed up of waiting for a standard
dial up to connect (and make all those beeping and burring
noises) and download.
Dial-up Internet Connection is dead
Do not be confused, dial up companies use
a standard phone line to connect you to their server to bring
you an Internet connection. One thing is
for sure, if you ever experience a broadband connection
via cable, T1, T3, DS-3, or better you will never ever go
back to dial up.
About The Author
David Jackson
ImageLink Networks is a subdivision of ImageLink Incorporated
a Maryland based consulting and software company.
Visit http://ImageLinkNetworks.com
for more information
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