Broadband Terminology

With apologies to the more technically-minded, here are some plain-English definitions of terms that are commonly used in relation to broadband internet access:

Broadband – this started as a more technical term relating to sending several channels of data through the one source. The term is now more generally used to describe any type of fast internet access.

Dial-Up – is the original standard of internet access which utilises existing phone lines to transmit and receive data. The maximum speed achievable from a dial-up modem in Australia is 56kbps.

ADSL – stands for Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line. This is also known as fixed broadband. It allows fast-paced internet access by effectively splitting the signal of an existing phone line to allow both voice and internet transmissions.

DSL – is used as a shorter version of the above ADSL (i.e. Digital Subscriber Line) but is also used as an abbreviation for Digital Subscriber Loop which is the wider term used to describe this overall type of technology.

Pair Gain – is a term describing the situation where an existing phone line is shared with another user for part of the distance from the relevant phone exchange. This can mean that there is not enough scope to split the line to deliver an ADSL service.

Cable Internet – is used to describe the use of pay-tv cabling to deliver fast internet access. Obviously this only applies to areas (generally the major cities) that have been covered by the rollout of cabling undertaken by Foxtel and Optus. Certain areas of the Hunter have previously been proposed for the rollout of an independent cable network, by companies such as Sasktel, however these proposals have never progressed.

Wireless Internet – refers to internet access through the use of various wireless technologies now available (similar to a mobile phone network).

Satellite Broadband – as the name indicates, uses existing satellite systems to provide broadband services particularly to areas that might have difficulty in receiving other services.

ISP’s– stands for Internet Service Providers. These are the companies that provide the various types of internet access. Further details of these companies will be presented in a later article.

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