The Hard Facts About ADSL2+

Ever since the dawn of the World Wide Web in the 1990s, computer users have been looking for faster and more reliable internet. We all remember the dark days of dial-up, when downloading a single high-resolution image was a titanic proposition. These days, the internet is faster than ever before... but with the advent of HD video streaming, online gaming and other bandwidth-heavy services, it's still not fast enough.



That's where ADSL2+ comes in. Perhaps you've heard of DSL internet, also known as Digital Subscriber Line technology.



Traditional dial-up works by transmitting signals over the same frequencies as the human voice, in essence sending data as sound over the phone lines. The downside is that dial-up will clog up your phone line while in use, meaning you can't make calls while surfing the web. DSL, on the other hand, uses frequencies that are outside the range of human hearing, allowing for not only faster data transmission, but also simultaneous use of the phone line and the internet connection.



For a long time, ADSL has been the standard for DSL technology. Unfortunately, it's far too slow for today's demanding applications and services. That's why ADSL2+ technology is a great choice for the serious internet user. ADSL2+ has a 24 megabit-per-second download speed which is more than twice as fast as previous DSL technologies, and hundreds of times faster than dial-up.



Of course, this speed varies depending on your distance from the nearest hub and the quality of your phone line. However, even under the worst conditions, ADSL's connection speed is significantly faster than more traditional services.



ADSL2+ also improves service during peak congestion times. As with with other utilities, there are certain times of day when internet usage among the population peaks; for example, the early evening when people get back from work. On older DSL services, you would see a marked decrease in bandwidth during these times, as more stress was put on the network. However, ADSL2+ has a much higher capacity, with twice as many downstream bits as regular ADSL. This means the network has a capacity that is better able to handle these heavy loads.



Now, it's true that this service isn't as fast as cable broadband or fibre-optic connections, which can offer up to 100 megabits per second, but it is certainly much more affordable and widely available. It's the perfect internet solution for a majority of computer users, especially for those who don't want to pay exorbitant rates for more bandwidth than you'll ever use.



So, are you set up for broadband DSL? Not everyone can access it. In order to successfully use this service, your phone company will need to have upgraded your lines. Most areas have already received this upgrade but, to be sure, call up your telecom provider and ask them if your local line can support ADSL2+. If it can you might want to seriously consider getting connected so you can enjoy faster internet.




ABOUT

Hugh McInnes is an Australian freelance writer and traveller. He relies heavily on ADSL 2+ super fast broadband to submit his stories. As a result, he tries to keep up with the latest offers and broadband plans.