ADSL
Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line. A means of achieving broadband access to the Internet using conventional copper telephone cables. The Asynchronous part of the name refers to the fact that the bandwidth down from the Internet is greater than the bandwidth up from your computer to the Internet.
Most broadband connection in the UK is through the ADSL model. Typically speeds are available:
- 512Kbps, 1Mbps, 2Mbps, 6Mbps, 8Mbps down from the Internet
- 64Kbps, 128Kbps, 256Kbps, 384Kbps, 512Kbps up to the internet
Traditionally this division of up speed and down speed was because most users needed to get information rapidly from the Internet. Uploading to the internet has been regarded as a more specialist activity, and not required by the majority of users.
There is an emerging standard called ADSL2+ which, providing your office is close to a BT exchange can deliver up to 24Mbps, down from the internet.
The benefits of ADSL include:
- Provides limited VoIP & Video conferencing.
- Provides basic VPN capability.
- Provides good internet download ( for browsing / email access).
- Usually cost effective.
