Broadband types in the UK

When a consumer goes to select a broadband service it is essential to know what type of services are available. The services include Digital Subscriber Line (DSL),Cable broadband, Fibre, Wireless, Satellite and Broadband over Power lines (BPL).The basic information about various broadband services are discussed below and the same will be useful for anyone new to the field of broadband Internet.

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) Services

DSL technology adopts the telecommunication lines already installed by the telephone department for the data is transfer. According to the speed of transfer the DSL broadband services are divided in to Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) or Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL).

ADSL type of broadband provides faster data transmission over the same telephone line used for home telephones without affecting the normal function of telephones. This is suitable for those, who wish to download a lot of data from the Internet. However uploading of data is slower.

SDSL is similar to ADSL but a separate telephone line is required. This type has high data transfer ability both in downstream side as well as in upstream side. This is suitable for businesses who wish to have lot of uploading and downloading requirements.

When many telecommunications operators are allowed to use the same telephone links from the telephone exchange to the customer's premises, the service is called as Local Loop Unbundling (LLU). LLU is followed in some part of UK where BT exchange system is absent.

Broadband through cables

Nowadays television and telephone packages are combined with broadband Internet services and offered as a single package. The same coaxial cables used for TV sets are utilised for transmitting the broadband Internet signals using cable modems. The cable modems provides two outputs for TV and Computers. The Internet can be accessed by simply switching ‘ON’ the PC.

Broadband through Satellite

Just as TV and telephone services are operated through the satellites Internet is also accessed through them. Hence now even the remote or less populated areas of the UK have the broadband Internet service by using dish antennas.

The services are available in two forms. One type of service the satellites are used only to download the information just like TVs. Uploading or sending data through Internet has to again depend upon the land telephone lines. To overcome this problem a two way service is available in which the downloading and uploading of data are possible through the satellite.

The cost factor is quite high as compared to DSL or cable systems. Further there is a possibility of poor performance in extreme weather conditions. Moreover real time data transfer is found not feasible due to high latency (ping times) observed in this type of service.

Wireless Broadband

Wireless systems are more suitable for accessing the Internet services at places where a cable or telephone line installation is difficult. An antenna is to be used to receive the wireless signals. By establishing a radio link between the provider’s facility and the user’s PC transmission of broadband Internet is achieved. This service is more suitable for remote areas.

Nowadays it has become common to provide the Internet service, through the wireless technology, in public places like airports, city parks and bookstores. There are ‘hotspots’ at many public places that work using a short range wireless technology called ‘Wireless fidelity’ (Wi-Fi). In such places the DSL or cable broadband are combined with Wi-Fi system.