Confused about the difference between ADSL Internet and optical fibre? Check out this article and find out which service is best for you!
Customers nowadays are spoilt for choice when it comes to internet technologies that are available for use at their home or business. Sometimes all this choice can be confusing so we wanted to talk about the differences, the positives and the negatives of these different technologies.
So what exactly is the difference between ADSL, VDSL, UFB, Wireless? Let us break it down for you.
What is ADSL/VDSL Internet?
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line if you want to sound smart at your next dinner party) was our first major leap from Dial Up internet and quickly became New Zealand's most subscribed internet technology. Giving customers the ability to access the internet at speeds that had never been experienced before until it's big brother came along VDSL (Very high bit rate digital subscriber line, another one for the dinner party)
ADSL and VDSL are delivered over a copper line, similar to your traditional phone line. This is connected to your local telecommunications exchange. VDSL is only available to customers that live within a certain proximity of a telecommunications exchange - to compare the 2, ADSL is the 1500m runner and VDSL is the 100 meter sprinter.
What speeds can you expect from an ADSL connection?
Download speeds up-to 20mbps
Upload speeds up-to 2 mbps
What speeds can you expect from an VDSL connection?
Download speeds up-to 50mbps Upload speeds up-to 15 mbps
For the average internet user these speeds may seem more than enough however looks can be deceiving when it comes to the potential speeds of ADSL and VDSL. It is important to note that the expected speeds are seldom met and this is due to a range of things, namely;
- Distance from your local exchange (ADSL/VDSL do not perform well over long distances)
- Weather (Due to ADSL/VDSL being electricity delivered over a copper line often rain can have adverse effects on the speed)
- Amount of devices and users in the home
- Time of day (Congestion can slow down ADSL/VDSL, similar to Auckland rush hour traffic slows down your trip home)
Even though ADSL/VDSL was a giant leap from Dial Up it certainly has its limitations in todays world with the average home having multiple devices and uses for an internet connection. Check out the future smart home (insert hyperlink) and you quickly realise that ADSL/VDSL will not support this.
Who is ADSL for? Anyone still living in the 90's.... in all seriousness ADSL does have its place in the market however its place is in the market is closing with the on-going emergence of Fibre and Wireless technologies that offer a similar/superior user experience at no additional monthly cost. If there is minimal users/devices in the home, you have very low to no streaming/video content needs and your internet usage consists of basic browsing and emailing ADSL will be sufficient.
What is VDSL internet?
A fibre Internet connection uses light to transmit data over fibre optic cables, allowing for faster Internet speeds, greater bandwidth, longer transport and less loss of quality.
With fibre optic Internet, you can optimize cloud-based applications, enable remote users to communicate and collaborate more easily, and ensure employees across the enterprise have the timely information they need.
Click here to learn more about how fibre optic internet works. (Add hyperlink to article about fibre)
What are the advantages of fibre optic Internet?
Fibre Internet offers significant increases in bandwidth over other Internet solutions. This means that fibre optic internet can support you to perform several tasks at the same time, without losing internet quality.
As companies incorporate more data-intensive solutions for voice, video and cloud technology, fibre optic bandwidth ensures these technologies have the power and support needed to be effective.
And what are the disadvantages?
Only a technician could make it possible to deploy fibre optic cables.
A person must be trained in the field of fibre optics for the installation to be satisfactory.
What are the differences between ADSL Internet and optical fibre?
In fact, it's simple to understand the difference between the two.
Standard broadband (ADSL) uses existing copper telephone lines to transfer data. While fibre uses a newer network of high speed fibre optic cables, which are better able to deliver data over greater distances, resulting in much faster flow.
Widely available fibre options are about ten times faster than standard best-selling broadband speeds.
Are ADSL Internet and optical fibre broadband?
Both ADSL Internet and fibre optic Internet are considered broadband.
This is because, unlike dial-up connections, ADSL and fibre connections can carry different data at once, in different directions, without risk of overloading the line.
Which is best: ADSL or optical fibre?
Fibre is the best option on the Internet, if you can get it. Most households choose cable Internet as it is widely available.
If you can't, ADSL is a viable backup option. ADSL is best for rural customers who are otherwise tethered to the Internet via satellite.
Cable Internet service is the best option for people who don't have fibre access or don't use extremely fast speeds. It is also a great choice for viewers who can benefit from cable bundle cost savings plans.
Fibre is the best choice for heavy Internet users, especially gamers or those planning to stream videos to multiple devices simultaneously.
Or even for large companies, which need higher speed links and need to make multiple connections without losing quality in data transmission.
If you think there aren't enough Internet options in your area, you're not alone. If cable or fibre connections are not yet available, be aware that services are expanding each year.
Fortunately, within the next few years, high-speed Internet will be almost universally available.
Conclusion
While fibre is not yet readily available to consumers on the same scale as cable and ADSL, it is already the dominant Internet infrastructure from the global perspective.
It handles most of the long-distance data traffic common among large-city broadband customers.
The Internet is a "network of networks" and the mix of types of Internet connections will likely be part of our society for years to come.
We can expect fibre to continue to grow to the point where it will one day be as available as cable Internet.
In New Zealand fibre optic internet is already available in most of places. Click here to speak with one of our experts and here to check signal availability for your region! (Add chorus link)