Broadband : A SearchMeSilly Guide

Referring to anything over a 56kbps connection, there are different types of broadband available:

• DSL - is a very high-speed connection that uses the same wires as an ordinary telephone line.
   
• ADSL - Most homes and small business users are connected to an ‘asymmetric DSL’ (ADSL) line. It divides up the available frequencies in a line on the assumption that most Internet users look at, or download, much more information than they send, or upload. With the bandwidth devoted to the downstream direction, uploading times will be considerably greater than those of downloading.
   
• VDSL - very high bit-rate DSL is seen by many as the next step and is in development. VDSL provides an incredible amount of bandwidth over relatively short distances, with speeds up to about 52 megabits per second (Mbps).
   
• SDSL - Symmetric DSL is used mainly by small businesses and doesn't allow you to use the phone at the same time. Transferring just over 2Mbps, it is symmetric because the speed of receiving and sending data is the same.
   
• RADSL - Rate-adaptive DSL is a variation of ADSL, but the modems connection speed can be determined depending on the length and quality of the line.
   
• Cable – If you have cable TV you may be able to get a high-speed connection to the Internet from your cable provider, rather than the ISP directly. The cable company will provide the modem, installation and technical support, while the ISP are responsible for the actual connection to the Internet.
   
• Satelitte -ideal for rural Internet users who want broadband access. Satellite Internet does not use telephone lines or cable systems, but instead uses a satellite dish for two-way (upload and download) data communications. Upload speed is about one-tenth of the 500 kbps download speed.
   
• WAP – Wireless Application Protocol allows for broadband on the move. You can surf the Internet and send and receive e-mail with devices such as mobile phones and PDAs.
   
• ISDN – (Integrated Services Digital Network) also offers digital communication capabilities. A basic rate ISDN line provides two 'channels' which can be used for separate calls. Each channel provides bandwidth of 64Kbps to upload and download simultaneously, with a combined total of 128Kbps.