ADSL Broadband vs Fiber broadband- Which broadband connection is better?

If you are new to the various forms of internet access, then allow me to introduce you to ADSL and Fiber optics technology. Both serve the singular purpose of providing a dependable internet connection for users. However, how do they compare? Take a look.

ADSL and Fiber optic technology are both high demand high-speed internet connection options and must be thoroughly understood by users. Below, you will find an elaborate review, and comparison for both connection options.  In the review section, we objectively take you through what each form of connection offers, how it is structured and how it works. These features, functionalities and flaws are important in understanding the fundamental differences between ADSL Broadband vs. Fiber broadband. Read on for more.

What are the differences between ADSL vs. Fiber broadband?

	ADSL	Fiber broadband (Winner)
Transmission medium	Copper telephone lines	Fiber optic glass cables
Noise	Susceptible to copper cable related interference	Safe from EM/RFII interferences
Speed	Depends	Most connection are capable of up to 1Gbps
	View here	View here

 

ADSL vs Fiber broadband – How do these two compare?

Transmission Medium

The medium with which each technology transfers data packets and information is different for both ADSL and Fiber optic broadband connection. This is one of the key differences between the aforementioned. Using advanced glass fibers, ISPs can utilize optic technology to dearly data.

Often the resulting transfer speed is fast and reliable. This is unlike ADSL copper lines which are prone to various interferences. Ideally, over fiber optics, data is carried in form of light. This technology transmits data at rates 31% less than the actual speed of light. That is pretty fast, and unlike copper cabling.

Set up, cost and availability

Because ADLSL is provided over your telephone lines, it does not cost much to set up. In fact, there are minimal requirements for this sort of internet connection. Anyone with a land line is eligible for ADSL. Unlike ADSL, fiber optic technology does not have the kind of infrastructure as the former does.

Therefore, users who are especially from more remote locations incur more to set up the connection. Fortunately, the set up cost is becoming more affordable: making this connection even more lucrative.

Speed

Another important distinction between ADSL and Fiber broadband is the speed of either connection. Fiber optics through their respective cables can transmit data at speeds of up to 1Gbps.

Performance

Even in performance, Fiber optic tech is designed to outshine copper cable dependent ADSL. For instance, transfer over glass fibers is less susceptible to interference. In fact, contingencies set in place along a certain number of miles to ensure that the signal is boosted. The result of these contingencies is a reliable signal.

ADSL connections on the other has are prone to interferences as mentioned. Electrical interference especially lads to a lot of reliability problems. Moreover, this connection is distance sensitive and becomes slower; the further users are from range.

Versatility

Don’t get us wrong, ADSL is a very versatile connection suitable for homes and businesses. However, this kind of connection cannot handle heavy duty demand environments as fiber optics would.

No wonder the later is considered the connection for the future. Over a fiber connection, users can access unimaginable speeds to allow high demand activities which otherwise would be impossible to access, especially with multiple devices/users.

Durability of connection

We have already discussed the difference in transmission medium and the various elements said differences insight. Importantly, copper medium used for ADSL connections are widely available but highly susceptible to breakage or even damage. Fiber cables are more durable and well reinforced to last longer, and require minimal maintenance.

ADSL vs. Fiber broadband – A comparison review

 ADSL – Overview and Key Features

ADSL, Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, is the most popular form of DSL available. This technology is designed to allow faster downloads compared to uploads. As such the connection is termed asymmetric. Take a look at the how’s and what’s of ADSL.

Features

Before we can discuss ADSL, let us familiarize any new users to DSL. This technology relies on the already laid phone network to provide internet services. However, unlike the dial-up, you can simultaneously use the phone and the internet without either interfering with the other. Because it is built into existing phone lines, DSL is quite convenient to set up and is widely available to users. Moreover, it will cost you very little to install such a connection. Among the biggest benefit that comes with DSL is faster internet, compared to other older internet technologies.

ADSL, since it is a subsidiary of DSL, works pretty much the same. The open reach telephone line as and . After installing an ADSL connection, you must use a micro filter on your landline phone connection. This allows users to access data separate from the phone line frequencies. Said filer is the reason users can speak on the phone while other users utilize the internet connection. 1MHz bandwidth is spilt into smaller 4 KHz channels. The bottom 4 KHz channels are dedicated to the telephone system while the rest

As mentioned above, the distinguishing characteristic of ADSL is the imbalance between upload and download rates. Usually, the system dedicated 192 KHz channels to downloading processes while the remaining 64 for uploading.

Some of the requirements to set up a functional network with an ADSL connection is a modem. This device is instrumental in the collection and assembly of high frequency data which it then transmits to the network. Some more modern ADSL connections use the popular Ethernet or even via USB to connect to a PC.

In summary

ADSL connections come in pretty handy especially when you need reliable, affordable connections for basic use. Many households will benefit from this

Advantages

• Widely available to users
• Competitive speeds
• Great for small-medium household

Disadvantages

• Connection speeds are relative especially during peak hours

Fiber broadband – overview and Key features

Fiber optics technology is currently one of the more advanced forms of connection availed to users. So far, transmission medium offers high speed internet connection over long distances. This technology uses light to relay data and information in quite fascinating capacities. Take a look.

Features

Fiber optic cables allow for efficient connection over long distances. With this, even users from remote areas or faraway places have access to high speed internet regardless of distance. Equipped to travel up to 60 miles without degradation, this tech is truly remarkable. No data is lost during the transmission process. This is thanks to the optical amplifiers set along the fiber optic infrastructure. With said amplifiers, signals are effectively boosted, and quality maintained along the stretch of the cable.

Internet connection over this tech relies on the ability to transmit laser pulses or LED pulses carrying binary data.  The glass through which data in the form of light is transmitted are made of glass that is one tenth as thick as a strand of hair. That’s pretty small. Moreover, they are clad with a plastic or glass material. This cladding in collaboration with the glass core: the inner most part of the fiber, work together to achieve total internal reflection. The bits making up the binary code carry organized messages in 8 part bytes. The phenomenon above is the resulting mode with which light is transmitted through these fibers. In fact, total internal reflection dictates how the

Installation of this form of internet can get very costly especially for users from more remote part on the country. This is because unlike other popular forms of internet, Fiber doesn’t have an already laid out infrastructure to serve as a medium for transmission. The result is often higher installation costs. Overtime, the cost continues to diminish as more users opt fo this type of connection. This continued expansion of fiber optic infrastructure ensures the increased availability of this form of connection, at cheaper costs.

Speed wise, fiber optic technology is the fastest available internet connection option today. With the potential to reach speeds of 1000Mbps, many experts consider this the future for modern connection requirements.

TIP: The last mile concept in fiber optic internet is an important element of this connection. This is the point at which light impulses are converted into electric impulses which network devices can pick up for example electrical Ethernet.

Additionally, there are different types of last mile connections on this internet connection set up.

In summary

If you are looking to invest in one of the fastest form of connection available then fiber optic technology may be what you need. This is an efficient connection that offers high speed connection which has far surpassed other types of internet connection option.

Advantages

• High speed connectivity
• Allows for stable connection over long distances
• Advanced connectivity
• Best type of connection for a modern and still progressing society

Disadvantages

• Not available in all remote areas
• Can get expensive to install

Verdict, so how do they differ, ADSL vs. Fiber broadband?

Depending on what you are looking for, both ADSL and Fiber broadband options are reliable broadband connections. HOWEVER, fiber optics connections are far better all around. This type of connection relies on new technology to transmit data in such effective capacities.