A lot of people confuse terms when discussing broadband.  For example, some people refer to all broadband as DSL.  DSL is a type of broadband but not all broadband is DSL.  Confused yet?  Here's a thumbnail explanation of broadband and it's many flavors:

How do you define broadband?
Simply put, the term 'broadband' refers to Internet access that is faster than 56K dialup.

What types of broadband are there?
There are several types of broadband Internet access. ISDN, DSL, Cable, Wireless, Satellite and dedicated line are all different type of broadband.

Here is a description of the pros and cons of each type of broadband Internet access:

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network)
ISDN is a dial technology that has been around for decades and is similar to regular 56K dialup, but with a couple of important differences. ISDN transmits its signals digitally, as opposed to analog as with normal 56K. Because it is digital, the ISDN connection is typically more reliable and gives better performance than regular 56K. The other important difference with ISDN is that it typically comes with two channels of 64K each that are bonded together by the ISDN modem to give a total bandwidth of 128K, more than twice the speed of dialup. An ISDN modem is required and an ISDN line is also needed.  Prices for ISDN circuits vary from phone company to phone company.  Once you have your ISDN, you then need to connect to an ISP that supports ISDN.  (We support ISDN)

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)
DSL is one of the most common types of broadband Internet access in use today. DSL works by transmitting a digital signal over a traditional phone line, thereby avoiding the expense of installing a separate digital line as in ISDN.

DSL comes in a couple different flavors and bandwidths. The main types of DSL are ADSL (the 'A' refers to asymmetric, which simply means that the upload and download speeds are different), SDSL (the 'S' refers to symmetric, means that the upload and download speeds are the same), and IDSL, which utilizes an ISDN technology to deliver the DSL. The minimum bandwidth for DSL is 128K and it can go up to 1.1M and above.

The main limitation to DSL is that it is distance-sensitive. The signaling required for a DSL connection cannot travel more than a certain number of feet over the phone wire from the DSL equipment at the local phone switch located at the local phone company center that services your home or office. The bandwidth rate that will be available to you will depend on the distance you are from the DSL equipment- the closer you are, the higher the bandwidth you can expect. Currently it is possible to live in a heavily populated area that does have DSL around, but not be able to get DSL because your home or business happens to be a block or so too far away from the local phone switch.  (We support DSL in over 600 cities)

Cable
Cable Internet is the most widespread form of broadband in service today.   Cable Internet is delivered over the same physical cable and company that delivers cable TV. Implementation is usually fairly straightforward, as it usually just requires the installation of a cable modem and some wiring to the computer. The limitation of cable is that it is typically a shared connection in the sense that all of the Internet traffic in a given area has to pass through a common network node. This means that the more people in your neighborhood that have and use cable Internet, the slower the connection will be.

Satellite
Satellite is a growing type of broadband access, although still primarily limited to those areas and those users who cannot get any other form of broadband. Because it is a newer form of broadband and still to some degree in its infancy, satellite broadband typically is slightly more expensive to install and operate on a monthly basis than most other forms of broadband.   Like ADSL, the transmissions speeds are asynchronous (faster download, than upload).  We offer satellite service to all areas of the United States.

Wireless
The term 'wireless' has many meanings, but wireless in relation to broadband Internet access refers specifically to connectivity provided by a wireless signal between a transmitting tower and a transmitter/receiver installed at a home or office.  Some people can be confused about wireless because there can be wireless networks within a building that connect specific computers together and wireless networks that cover large communities.  The major difference is that a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) is limited to small area while a Wireless Fidelity Network (WI-FI) is for public use and can be open to anyone who subscribes to the service and has access to the broadcast tower.

The wireless broadband does not have the same inherent transmission limitations of having to go through a physical connection, so wireless broadband speeds can be extremely high but again speed is determined by location.  Like satellite, WI-FI has some drawbacks.  The signals from a WI-FI transmission tower can be blocked by trees, buildings and other tall obstructions.  This is called line-of-sight.  If your antenna is blocked by one of these obstructions, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to receive a WI-FI transmission.  Rain is also a problem with wireless and satellite since the signals can be blocked by heavy rainfalls.  The good news is that transmission towers (called Access Points) are being added all of the time so the future looks bright. 

We offer wireless in select cities in southern Texas and are looking for other opportunities in other communities.

What about wireless through the cell phone companies?  For now, the speeds offered by those companies are very slow and can not be considered broadband.  In many instances, the available speeds are slower than dial-up.

Dedicated Leased Lines
These lines are frequently called T-1 lines but there are several speed alternatives.  They are usually dedicated high-speed lines that connect your come or office to the Internet through an ISP or other carrier.  Dedicated connections can run from a few hundred dollars per month to several thousand.  Of all broadband connections, these are the most reliable.  Unfortunately, these are usually more expensive than the other broadband alternatives mentioned earlier.

Caution
One of the key issues with all broadband connections is the need for security.  Hacking is frequently a problem with these high speed connections so it is VERY IMPORTANT that you create a security plan that includes a firewall to protect your computer or network from outside intrusion.  Contact our Technical Support Team for help in choosing your security products.

How do I choose the best broadband alternative for me?
Why don’t you give our Support Team a call at 800-290-3130 to see what’s available in your neighborhood.