There are three main types of broadband internet connection; ADSL, cable and fibre optic. It is important to know which of these connections is available in your area and the type of broadband that is most suitable for your needs.
ADSL is the most widely available type of broadband internet. ADSL is an acronym for Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line and it uses a landline telephone cable to transmit data for internet use. ADSL is usually fast enough for most people’s internet use, although it is worth finding out just how far your home is from the local telephone exchange. If you are too far away you will experience slower upload and download speeds.
ADSL requires a modem so you can connect to the Internet. ADSL modems check your telephone line for noise and this determines the frequency that the modem will transmit data at. This will effect the internet speed. So if you have a noisy line you may experience slower internet. ADSL modems are usually given away for free by an internet services provider as part of an Internet deal. However, if you want to connect a network of computers or use wifi you will need an ADSL router. Filters are also necessary to cut out the noise caused by voice conversations that can prevent access to the internet.
Cable is an excellent alternative to ADSL as Cable does not require telephone line. Just one dedicated line is needed that is also used for cable television. Cable internet is usually bundled with a digital TV package from a communications company. Cable typically provides faster Internet speeds than ADSL, but the cable line will be shared with other people in your area. Internet speeds can reduce significantly when a lot of people are using the internet at the same time. Cable Internet requires that a digital TV cable be installed in your area, so ADSL maybe the only option unless fibre optic lines can be installed in your area. Apart from these issues cable is very fast and more stable than ADSL.
The best type of broadband connection of the three is undoubtedly fibre optic. Fibre optic does not require a telephone exchange and you have your own dedicated cable in your home. Fibre optic internet is also blisteringly fast at all times. However, fibre optic lines are not so widely available so it may not be an option in your area. Fastweb is one of the biggest providers of fibre optic broadband and they have an extremely extensive fibre optic network.
If you are unable to install fibre optic internet then you will face the decision of whether to choose ADSL over cable. This decision really depends upon the area you are living in and your distance from your local telephone exchange. A Google search and checking individual ISP websites will be able to answer these questions for you. If you live in a highly populated metropolitan area then ADSL may be a better choice because it is likely that a lot of people will be connecting to the internet at once.