Broadband Q&As
- What is broadband?
- How is broadband different from dial-up?
- What are the benefits of broadband?
- What are the different types of broadband technology?
- Can I get an ADSL broadband service?
- What type of equipment will I need?
- Why can't I get an ADSL broadband service?
- Can I get a cable broadband service?
- Can I get a satellite broadband service?
- What type of equipment will I need for satellite broadband?
- Can I get a wireless broadband service?
- What type of equipment will I need for wireless broadband?
- What is a modem?
- What are modem speeds?
- What type of modem will I need?
- What is a usage allowance?
- Common broadband terms
What is broadband?
Broadband is a term used to refer to an always-on high-speed internet connection.
In the past, broadband services and technologies were defined in terms of a capability to transfer information at higher rates than traditional dial-up services. Today broadband is more commonly associated with the speeds equal to or greater than those provided by an asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) service—that is, a minimum download speed of 265 kbps and minimum upload speed of 64 kbps
How is broadband different from dial-up?
Broadband is at least five times faster than dial-up. It enables you to access services and opportunities through the internet, such as VOIP (voice over internet protocol) services, streaming media and online gaming, which are simply not practical on a dial-up connection.
Broadband is always-on, which means as long as your computer is switched on you can remain connected to the internet.
What are the benefits of broadband?
Broadband is changing the way we communicate, the way we work, the way businesses interact in the global marketplace and the delivery of essential services such as health and education.
Government
Broadband is improving the online provision of information and services to citizens, businesses, and other arms of government (e-government). For example, broadband can facilitate remote diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and consultations with specialists (e-health).
Business
Broadband is increasing the effectiveness of business. The benefits a business can gain from effective e-business include cost savings and operational efficiencies, additional revenue through the online sale of information, products or services and access to regional, national and worldwide markets.
Education
Broadband allows students to access large volumes of online educational resources. Teachers can also take advantage of the many online education services and integrate them into their everyday classroom activities.
Broadband is changing the way students in isolated areas learn. For example, interactive distance learning services give students in remote locations the opportunity to participate in online or virtual lessons.
Home
Broadband makes communication between family and friends easier through email, VoIP and video chat services. It also improves access to online banking and travel services.
What are the different types of broadband technology?
ADSL (asymmetric digital subscriber line)
ADSL is the most common broadband product in the Australian market. ADSL operates over the existing telephone line and allows you to access the internet and use the telephone at the same time.ADSL is generally available to customers within 3.5 kilometres of an ADSL-enabled telephone exchange and offers download speeds of 256 kbps to 1.5 mbps and upload speeds of 64 kbps up to 256 kbps.
ADSL2 and ADSL2+ provide greater range of bandwidth and higher speeds than standard ADSL. This technology can mean that customers further from the exchange can access ADSL speeds.
Cable
Cable is the second most common broadband product. Cable broadband uses the pay TV cable networks installed throughout metropolitan (and some regional) neighbourhoods over the last decade.
It does not tie up your telephone line while you are on the internet, does not require dial-up access to the internet and provides access to other facilities, such as pay TV.
In Australia, cable systems usually offer speeds of up to 25624000 kbps for download and 128 kbps for upload. Because cable users share the same network, cable speeds can fall during periods of high use.
Satellite
Satellite services offer internet connections over wide geographical areas. Even if you live in a community far from the nearest city, you are able to surf the net at fast speeds.
The most common service offered is Two-way satellite which uses a satellite link to send and receive data. Two-way satellite services do not yet generally support phone services. Users would need a separate service for telephony. The quality of a satellite connection can also be affected by exceptionally heavy rain.
Wireless
Fast-growing wireless technology connects you to the internet without any physical (cable or wire) connection. A wireless modem, which communicates via radio signal to a receiver in your neighbourhood, is plugged into your computer.
The coverage offered by these services is growing rapidly throughout Australia. It is particularly convenient to travellers.
Your choice of technology will depend largely on what is available in your area, and the relevant costs. The broadband service locator will provide details on broadband services in your area.
Can I get an ADSL broadband service?
ADSL broadband is only available in areas that are ADSL enabled. The Broadband Service Locator will help you find out if ADSL is available in your area.
Even if your exchange is identified as supporting ADSL, further checks are necessary to establish whether your distance from the exchange or incompatible products and technology on your line will inhibit an ADSL service. These additional checks are typically performed once you apply to receive an ADSL service.
What type of equipment will I need?
Depending on the type of broadband service you are able to get, you may need additional equipment to enable your internet connection — perhaps no more than an ADSL modem, which is different from a modem used for a dial up connection. It is often necessary to install an ethernet or network interface card in your computer, depending on the age of the machine.
Why cant I get an ADSL broadband service?
ADSL signals are transmitted over the same copper lines as other telecommunications services, such as voice and dial-up internet. It is possible for ADSL transmission signals to interfere with services carried on adjacent copper lines. To prevent this interference, strict standards were established for the power levels used to transmit ADSL signals. Consequently, there are limitations on the distance from a telephone exchange over which ADSL services can be provided.
Can I get a cable broadband service?
You will need to check with a service provider in your area to see whether or not you can connect to a cable broadband internet service. If the network cable runs down your street, you are probably able to receive a cable service.
Check the broadband service locator for broadband services in your area.
Can I get a satellite broadband service?
Satellite services are generally available to all Australians although in some instances terrain issues may interfere with reception. You will need to contact your preferred satellite provider to confirm whether or not you can receive a service.
What type of equipment will I need for satellite broadband?
Satellite services involve equipment (such as a satellite dish, modem, block up converter or BUC, low noise blockor LNB, cables) and installation costs that can make connections relatively expensive in some situations. While satellite is available nationally, one-way services require users to maintain a phone or ISDN connection to request information from the internet. This means that there are additional costs to consider.
Can I get a wireless broadband service?
Wireless broadband is usually dependent on having a clear line of sight between the transmitter and your house — that is, with no trees, hills or structures to block it. You will need to check with a service provider in your area for details of the local wireless signal strength and reliability.
See also the broadband service locator
What type of equipment will I need for wireless broadband?
Special equipment is required for a wireless service. The service provider will need to install a receiver, usually on the roof of your house. A wireless modem is used to translate the signals from the receiver to your computer.
What is a modem?
Modem is short for modulator-demodulator. A modem is a device or program that enables a computer to transmit data over, for example, telephone or cable lines. Computer information is stored digitally, whereas information transmitted over telephone lines is transmitted in the form of analog waves. A modem converts between these two forms.
The most common modem is an external device attached to a computer through an RS-232 port, which almost all personal computers have, or a USB or ethernet port. There are also modems that come as boards for internal installation. These are sometimes called onboard or internal modems.
What are modem speeds?
The speed of a modem is measured by the number of bits of data it can transmit per second, expressed as kilobits per second (kbps). The larger the number of kbps, the faster you will download pages or other material such as music or email.
The standard prefixes of size/speed indicate the number of bits. A kilobit is about 1000 bits, so a 256 kbps speed will transfer 256 000 bits of information per second. A megabit is about one million bits and a gigabit is about a billion bits.
What type of modem will I need?
If you are able to get ADSL and are likely to want to connect more than one computer in the household to the Internet, you will probably need a 4-port modem. A modem with one port is sufficient for a household with one computer. Broadband services from wireless and cable companies may need specific modem types. Ask your preferred service provider if they will provide the modem as part of their package. Some ISPs have an option for you to provide your own modem.
What is a usage allowance
A usage allowance is the amount of data you are allowed to transfer over the internet, either by downloading or uploading. Some plans allow you to download or upload an unlimited amount of data, while others give you a limit (such as 3 GB per month).
It is advisable to monitor the amount of data downloaded and uploaded, to and from, your computer to avoid unexpected excess usage fees.
There are tools that allow you to monitor your usage. Ask your ISP if you can view your account usage online.
By keeping track of your usage patterns you may also find that you use more or less data than anticipated and decide to change your plan.
