Abstract
Increasing utilization and popularity of the internet has by consumers has prompted high speed and easy access to the WAN. The high-speed internet options available to consumers in the market pertain to the DSL and the broadband internet.
The DSL provides the consumers with a dedicated and a more secure link, with various options of ADSL and SDSL options but is restricted in terms of availability in rural and remote regions. The broadband internet provides customers with ease of access, fast internet, and 24-hour connectivity but over a shared link resulting in a less secure internet.
The conclusion highlights that the DSL internet is more suited for businesses and professionals while the cable or broadband internet is more suited for general consumers and households.
Introduction
The internet technology has come a long way in the past decade and the utilization of the internet by general as well professional consumers has become extensive. The internet is currently being used to manage large business, integrate communication in enterprises, transfer money and documents, as well as for leisure activities like gaming, streaming and downloading multimedia and shopping. The increasing numbers of users have put a strain on the speed of the internet while the complicated applications on the internet also demand high speed dedicated links. The high level of usage has prompted an increase in the speed and the performance of the internet technology. As a result DSL and broadband internets have been introduced into the market.
A DSL internet is a Digital Subscribed Line based internet where the user is directly connected with a telecom company which provides the user with a dedicated high speed phone line for the internet which results in a constant bandwidth every time a consumer connects to the internet. The bandwidth which is offered by the DSL ranges from 128 KBPS to 1.54 MBPS. The cable or broadband internet on the other hand uses coaxial cable for transfer and communication.
This form of the internet is provided by cable service providers who provide the TV signals and digital video streaming to consumers. This form of the internet link is shared with other consumers clustered by the cable service providers in their distribution network. As a result the speed and the bandwidth may be compromised if many consumers are using the link at the same time. The bandwidths offered by broadband pertains to an average if 500 KBPS to 700 KBPS.
Comparison of DSL and Broadband Internet
The DSL and The Broadband internet are similar in terms of their functionality and the service provided to the customers; however, they are significantly different when it comes to their characteristics. The DSL provides its customers with a constant high speed internet with very high bandwidth and a dedicated line. The broadband on the other hand provides easy and continuous access to the consumers and is widely available in most regions.
The advantages that are presented by the DSL internet pertain to the fact that the consumers are provided a dedicated link and link for internet usage. These results in a private and less risky medium which is more secure from hackers as compared to cable or broadband internet. In addition to this the consumers have a choice of links and bandwidths when it pomes to DSL. “Unlike cable, DSL is usually available in multiple flavors at different price points. Your choices include ADSL, in which upload speeds are slower than downloads; SDSL, where upstream and downstream speeds are the same; and IDSL, which overlays a DSL connection on ISDN.” (Spanbauer, 2001)
The broadband internet on the other hand is easily and widely available to the consumer sand is much less complicated to use than the DSL internet. “Cable networks are simpler, and they can carry more information because cable was designed for broadcasting video signals” (Isenberg, 2000). It is fast and convenient for the consumer and allows them to stay connected on a continuous basis.
The main disadvantage however which is posed by the cable or broadband internet is that it is a shared link between consumers clustered together by the ISP. This increases the risk factor by increasing the threat of exposure to virus and hackers. Theoretically the speed of the Broadband is much faster as compared to DSL (Mitchell) but in the real world, the number of users sharing the broadband can considerably reduce the speed of the internet and the bandwidth available to the consumer. A research published in 2005 pointed out that “broadband service is becoming a utility, it isn’t as predictable and uniform in performance as the term suggests” (‘Internet Service Cable vs. DSL vs. dial-up’, 2005)
Similarly the DSL also has specific disadvantage which pertain to lower bandwidth and speed of the internet and the restriction of the service to thickly settled urban and suburban areas as DSL links are supposed to be located with 18,000 feet form the telecommunication company providing the DSL internet service. Other disadvantages pertain to additional phone charges, installation and set up of complex hardware and the relatively high costs.
Conclusion
The comparison of the DSL and the broadband internet depicts that DSL is more costly and highly secure, offering lower bandwidth and internet speed, while the cable or broadband internet is base don a shared link therefore less secure and more open to outside parties like hackers. However it is more convenient for the consumer and provides high bandwidth and speed at lower costs while enabling them to have 24 hour connectivity. This provides that the DSL lines are much better suited for consumers who are professionals or businesses who need a dedicated link for their use. The broadband internet is more suitable for the general users in the market who mostly use the internet for leisure, work as well as downloading and streaming purposes.
References
(2005), Internet Service Cable vs. DSL vs. dial-up, Consumer Reports, Vol. 70 Issue 9, p19-21, 3p, 1 chart, 1 color. Web.
Goldsborough, (1999), DSL vs. table: The latest in high-speed Internet access, Public Relations Tactics, Vol. 6 Issue 11, p22, 0p, 1 color. Web.
Isenberg, D.S., (2000), You Think It’s DSL vs. Cable? Guess Again, Fortune, Vol. 142 Issue 8, p64-66, 2p, 2 color. Web.
Mitchell, B., DSL vs. Cable – Broadband Internet Speed Comparison – Which Is Faster?, About. Web.
Spanbauer, S., (2001), Cable vs. DSL vs. Everything Else, PC World, Vol. 19 Issue 1, p94, 4p, 1 chart. Web.