Broadband Research

1. What is broadband?
Broadband is a fast Internet connection in today's society, but later on in the future there will be even faster Internet connection. So there is no set definition about a broadband because there is no particular limit or a certain degree of standard of broadband.

2. Outline the methods of delivery of broadband (wireless, cable, ADSL and fibre)? Identify the speed of each method.

WIRELESS: Wireless broadband is basically a wireless Internet signal a wireless modem is connected to your computer and then communicates by way of a radio signal to a receiver in your area. The speed of wireless broadband depends on the type of plan you choose for the wireless Internet connection you get. The speeds of wireless Internet connection can be from 1.1Mbps to 20Mbps.

CABLE: This is a type of broadband using the same optic fibre technology as cable TV. It provides good service but is only available in areas that have cable service in the area. Speeds of cable broadband vary, but are usually from 2 Mbps to over 8 Mbps. Download speeds are much faster than upload speeds and the cost is very similar to ADSL.

ADSL: ADSL works via normal phone lines. One can usually talk on the normal telephone even if you simultaneously surf the Internet via the same telephone line. Speeds of ADSL vary, but are usually in the range of 128Kbps to over 5 Mbps when downloading data. (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) A special type of DSL line where the upload speed is different from the download speed.

FIBRE: Superfast, fibre optic broadband has the potential to deliver upload and download speeds that are lightning fast, compared to traditional broadband – sometimes as high as 40Mbs to 100Mbs.