Network connections

Types of network connections

Modems and phone lines

ADSL

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line is an "always on" Internet connection that is popular for home users who cannot get cable Internet. ADSL uses a special modem on standard phone lines, but because it operates on a different frequency to voice, the telephone is not tied up or affected by data transmissions. "Asynchronous" refers to the fact that upload and download speeds are not the same.

ADSL is limited in its availability. Users must live within a few kilometres of a telephone exchange that has been equipped for ADSL connections. Speeds drop as you move further from the telephone exchange.

Fibre optic

Microwave

Microwave beams can transmit network data without wires at very high speed, but since microwave transmissions are "line of sight" there must be no obstacles between the receiver and transmitter. Microwave links are suited for Metropolitan Area Networks in cities.

Satellite

For users without access to cable Internet, satellites can provide a high-bandwidth channel for users to download data from their Internet Service Provider (ISP). Since it is too expensive for users to buy sophisticated equipment to transmit data back to a satellite, users need a traditional modem and phone line to upload data to their ISP.

ISDN

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) provides a relatively expensive digital data channel through leased lines. It is usually used by businesses. Bandwidth is available in 64Kbps increments.

Cable

Cable Internet is a high speed, high-bandwidth connection with relatively limited distribution through Australian capital cities. Because users share the bandwidth of the cable passing their houses, network speed can drop when many people in your area are using bandwidth. The same cable that provides Internet access also provides cable TV to subscribers.

Wireless (radio) networking