ADSL

There are varying DSL technologies. NBN (VDSL), ADSL, ADSL2 & ADSL2+, HDSL & HDSL2, SDAL & SHDSL, and VDSL & VDSL2. There are others and advances are always looming due to shortcomings with each variation.

Each has it’s own attractions but also their drawbacks. The quest for always faster speeds means better but complicated equipment in the telephone exchange. It’s always new and not perfected so the customer is going to be the one to ask for something better.

The biggest problem being attenuation. The copper phone network before it gets to your house is a mixed bag of joints, corrosion, varying wire gauges, temperature fluctuations, Electro Magnetic Interference and distances. The greater the distance, the greater the problems, the greater the attenuation.

ADSL Filter

Filters perform the same function as a splitter, but instead of dividing the signal into two parts (ADSL/Voice), filters actually block the ADSL signal to allow the voice signal.

Broadband

A generalised term when referring to fast internet using ADSL or Cable. In data communications it refers to multiple pieces of information digitised and sent simultaneously over a phone line or Hybrid Fibre Coax Cable, e.g. Pay TV and internet transmissions.

These multiple pieces of data travelling simultaneously allow information to travel more quickly over the cable network. The higher the compression technology the faster the speeds. Theoretically terrific but in a practical sense this has limitations.

A very early broadband technology would be ISDN which provided speeds of 128 kilobits per/sec up and downstream. However, the term “broadband” is really only considered for speeds of 256 kilobits per/sec or greater.

Broadband Speeds

Internet service providers are claiming ADSL speeds up to 20 Megabits per/sec but I’ve seen cable modem speeds up to 35 Megabits per/sec on many occasions. Of course, this is on a quite weekend morning but certainly possible other times given certain parameters.

Test your internet speed at Speedtest.net

Cable Modem

The major alternative to copper broadband is Cable internet with it’s better reliability, better speeds (100Mbps) better value for your dollar, but unfortunately greater fluctuation in it’s speeds during peak periods and limited coverage in the major cities. We can thank the limited rollout to those who could not envisage the future and polled their local shire to knock back any further expansion.

Central Splitter

Broadband (ADSL, ADSL2 & ADSL2+) generates noise on the phone line, causing problems for anything connected to that line other than the computer modem.

Installation of an ADSL Central Splitters eliminates line noise, avoids problems with monitored alarm and medical alert systems, ensures faster internet connection speeds, eliminating the need for unsightly inline filters.

Network Boundary

Your telephone carrier (Telstra, Optus etc) is responsible for maintaining its network/cabling up to the Network Boundary Point on your property. Sometimes they will not even go this far. Beyond this point, all installations and maintenance of cabling and telephone equipment is your responsibility. The Network Boundary Point was your first phone socket or at the main distribution frame of an apartment block or commercial building.