What Is The Difference Between ADSL And Cable Internet Access

What is Broadband

Broadband is a term that refers to high speed internet access, or to be specific a fast data transmission. Technically speaking any customer who has an internet connection of 256 kbps is a broadband customer. Previously consumers who wanted to access the internet used to use a modem with a dial-up connection, so we would add a little caveat that a broadband connection also means that you are always connected to the internet, and the need for dial up is unnecessary.

Though how the internet is accessed varies from country to country and the last definition should be treated loosely.

What Is DSL Internet Connection?

Simply put a DSL connection uses copper wire for data transmission to the last mile. In fact DSL is often referred to as “last mile technology”. This is because the DSL connection occurs from the telephone switching station to the consumer, whether that is in the home or office.

DSL connections are also “always on” unlike previous dial up connections, the DSL utilizes dual copper wires for connection to the telephone exchange, which means the customer can use their internet connection or their telephone without worrying about tying up the line. The need for dialing up the ISP does not exist because DSL is always on.

There are two main types of DSL connections

1. ADSL
   ADSL is the most common type of DSL connection and for the train spotters amongst us stands for asymmetric digital subscriber line. ADSL supports fairly fast download speed (also know as downstream speed) of between 1.5 Mbps to 24 Mbps, the upload (or upstream speed) however is not as fast and supports speeds of between 16 to 640 Kbps. ADSL connections require special modems.
2. SDSL
   Whilst ADSL is common in the UK, SDSL is still far more prevalent throughout Europe and stands for symmetric digital subscriber line. SDSL is slower than its counterpart and supports speeds of up to 3 Mbps, but as its name suggests supports symmetric upload and download speeds. Unlike ADSL however the user cannot use the internet at the same time as they use the phone.

What Is a Cable Internet Connection?

Cable internet means using television cabling to connect to the internet, Using a special cable modem, broadband internet access can be obtained using cable television lines. Cable internet works by using space on the line designed for television channels for data transmission instead. Certain channels are allocated for downloading, whilst other channels are used for uploading.

• Cable television uses coaxial cable as the last mile which allows faster data transmission or much greater bandwidth compared to wire used in telephone lines.
• Coaxial cable is a type of wire that consists of a centre wire surrounded by insulation and then a grounded shield of braided wire. The shield minimizes electrical and radio frequency interference.
• Cable modems can be used to obtain very fast internet access, and given that in places like America, many homes are already connected, is a service that cable television companies are very keen to offer.

In countries like the UK, where cable television was less prevalent than in America, companies such as Virgin Media have laid cable using the latest fibre optic technology, and at the time of writing fibre optic technology allows information to be transmitted at speeds of up to 50Meg!

Cable vs. DSL: The Speeds

The argument over which offers faster speeds is a hotly debated topic, it is hard to declare an outright winner, for a couple of reasons.

Technically speaking Cable internet access is much faster than regular ADSL connection, in fact cable download speeds are often twice as fast as ADSL. In that regard cable is the clear winner, but before we let cable do a jig, it must be said that cable internet access is usually shared bandwidth, so depending on where you are, and how many people are connected at the same time, speeds can vary drastically.

In the UK, companies like Virgin Media are aware, and now use increasingly better technology to share their bandwidth amongst their customers, and in fact the UK government has begun legislating that broadband companies advertising speeds must now deliver achievable speeds, rather than the theoretical top speeds.

The other major advantage with Cable apart from pure speed is that deals that include telephone and television packages are also bundled along with internet access, often making them far more compelling than regular ADSL, which simply cannot compete.

Please Note - All Prices Quoted Are Correct at Time of Posting

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