all-about-it.org [Your Technology Resource]

Home

What's New?

Forums

Search

FAQ

About

Contact

Index


Primers
Technologies
Applications
Models
Gadgets

Resources
Writings
Portals
Tool Kit


Sign Up!
Register to keep informed of updates.


Recommend us!
We do not retain this information. Really!


Broadband Communications

The sections below cover the fundamentals of broadband communications and offer explanations of how broadband should be deployed. To go directly to a section, click on one of the links:

What is Broadband

OK, we lied. We have seen several definitions of broadband and its poor cousin, narrowband:

  • Broadband corresponds to multiple voice channels in a telecommunications circuit, whereas narrowband corresponds to only one.

  • Broadband corresponds to a data rate of over 1Mbps

  • Broadband constitutes sufficient bandwidth to permit the transmission of broadband services, i.e. streamed multimedia, videoconferencing and the like.

The third definition may appear a little vacuous, but it is the one we favour because it concentrates on the end rather than the means. It also takes into account the use of the term broadband in other spheres such as the Mobile Internet (for example, the 3G “broadband” protocol UMTS, which has an initial maximum of 384kbps).

There is more information on the principles of broadband communication here.

Broadband communications have existed for years, at least for telecommunications providers (telcos) and the large corporations that can afford the extortionate costs. What has changed more recently is the development of a range of protocols known as Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL). The xDSL range (“x” stands for “whatever”) enables transmission of very high data rates across the so-called “last mile” – the pairs of wires that run from local telephone exchanges to homes and offices. Given the fact that most data traffic will be to or from the Internet, we have another definition of broadband:

  • Broadband constitutes affordable, accessible bandwidth for the transmission of Internet-based broadband services via xDSL without needing major modifications to existing infrastructure.

xDSL is a range of protocols, each of which is more applicable to certain needs. To understand the differences, a short and sweet table is given here. Most smaller organisations and home users will find Asynchronous DSL (ADSL) the most appropriate. ADSL is asynchronous in that the “up” channel is smaller than the 512Kbps “down” channel, a model which fits the standard usage pattern for the Internet in which more information is generally received than sent. A further strength of ADSL is that it is always “on” – there is no need to dial up to the Internet.

For “fast facts” on DSL (WarpWire’s term, not ours) click here. A more detailed explanation of ADSL can be found at the DSL forum’s web site, here, but be warned, it descends into detail quite fast!

Back to top

Business Benefits of Broadband

The technological benefit of xDSL-based broadband may be summarised as low-cost, high-speed, always-on access to the Internet. Given how much of a part today’s Internet plays in the lives of most businesses, the positive impacts are linked to the business being able to do its Web-based dealings more cheaply and efficiently.

In addition, broadband access opens the door to a number of new ways to use the Internet for the business. For example:

  • If it has the right skills in-house, it may be more appropriate for the business to host its own information rather than relying on third parties such as ISPs.

  • Conversely, the increased bandwidth opens the door for the business to make better use of externally hosted services such as those provided by ASPs.

The aptly-titled How broadband and rich-media can improve your bottom line from ITworld.com explains, well, that.

It is also appropriate to mention home use of ADSL. A high-bandwidth connection from the house to the Internet eases the possibility of teleworking (working from home), as corporate systems can be accessed as if the home user was in the office. An introduction to using broadband in the home can be found at the Microsoft web site, here. Home users might also consider cable modems as an alternative to ADSL – in speed trials, ADSL appears to come out better as shown here. For a broader (UK-focused) comparison, click here.



Back to top

Deploying Broadband in the Corporate Environment

So – is broadband deployment as simple as making a call to a service provider, and asking them to come and fit a box on the wall? Well, largely, yes. For an overview of DSL in business, click here. Of course you need to decide on which DSL (or whether to use an alternative) – Qwest’s product pages have feature-and-benefit descriptions of DSL services for home, small and large business customers. Click here for a discussion of whether cable or DSL is better for business.

Don Beckler’s DSL Pages DSL pages are a good, well-structured starting point with answers to most of the points above, albeit wit a US focus. Also, ZDNet provides a good test of whether ADSL is appropriate to your needs, in the article Nine warning signs that it is not for you.

Back to top

Issues with Broadband

There are plenty of things wrong with current broadband, not least in its availability. Our definition is from the point of view of the end-user and not the telco, who must roll out ADSL equipment to all its local exchanges. Some telcos (for example, British Telecom in the UK) have a reputation for heel-dragging and for playing the system to prevent other providers from installing their own facilities. The end result is “no service” at present, particularly outside metropolitan areas.

ADSL (and cable, for that matter) also have a reputation for non-optimal performance. The “down” bandwidth is a maximum that is then reduced as more users access the facilities of the local exchange.

Last but not least is security. ADSL connections are always-on in two directions – if you can get out, others can get in. There is a real risk that your computer will be attacked, hacked or otherwise misused (for example, as a base to send Spam e-mail). To secure your system(s) against the risks of always-on connections, see the article here.

Back to top

The Future of Broadband

The first “next step” for broadband is the completion of its roll-out – this looks likely to take a good couple of years, particularly outside metropolitan areas. Broadband will be remembered not for what it is – after all, it is no more than a high bandwidth socket ion the wall to most – but what it enables.

There is an (India-focused) article here. Another view of the future of broadband is here.

Back to top

Further Resources on Broadband

XDSL.com has an annotated links page here

TheBroadbandHome.com, which is focused on Broadband in the home, has a resources page here

Back to top




Copyright 2001, Sundial Consultancy Ltd. All Rights Reserved.