Broadband Research

1.      What is broadband?

Of or using signals over a wide range of frequencies in high-capacity telecommunications, esp. as used for access to the Internet.

2.      Outline the methods of delivery of broadband (wireless, cable, ADSL and fibre)? Identify the speed of each method.

Wireless broadband Internet is a system that can link up to remote areas over great distances for example wifi radio. It travels through a naroow beam with a Yagi Antenna which can operate reliably over a distance of many kms. Speed are usually slower as the network can be less stable, due to interference from other devices and networks, also weather can be a problem. The speed of a wireless broadband dependds on which wifi standard they support, they can offer up to 54 mbp/s

Cable broadband has speeds up to 400mbit/s, but may have reduced speeds and quality if it is a long way from the internet service provider. It uses fibre optic cables to retrieve cable internet to our homes.

ADSL broadband internet provides a digital data trasmission over the wirres of a telephone network. It is a service which is delivered simultaneously with the regualr telephone line. The speed ranges from 128kbit/s upwards

Fibre broadband internet is a high bandwidth low cost network that can handle high volume and high speed information. It uses fibre optical cables delivering ultra-fast broadband, speeds up to 100mbp/s

 3.      Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Cable broadband needs a special modem to send and receive information, the more people that are sharing the bandwidth the slower the internet will be. You may need a professional to install the modem. Many packages you buy for cable have limits on downloads. The good thing about cable is that is it has a more constant top speed than what wireless gives. Also making phone call is not interfered with the cable.

ADSL broadband enables you to recieve calls while also on the internet. A disadvantage is that it is better when you are closer to the providers central office, the closer you are the faster your connection will be.

Wireless broadband disadvantages are that it is a bibt more difficult to setup, the risk of 'outsiders' accessing your network are enabled. It can also be slower than wired networks as it is less stable, the reception maybe be imparied from large distances, objects between wireless devices and other wireless networks may interfere. Advantages are that you can access this network anywhere within the certain distance, overall it is more convienent.

Fibre broadband's number one disadvantage is the cost to install.

4.      Give examples of broadband providers and identify the costs.

The BigPond Turbo 2GB Liberty, gives you 2gb of data from $9.95

Dodo Unlimited Broadband ADSL2+ gives you unlimited broadband for $39.90 per month

Optus Naked Broadband Plan gives you up to 500GB per moth costing around $79.99

5.      The Federal Government is thinking of rolling out a national broadband network (The NBN). Research the NBN and find out:

a.       what method of delivery it will use
It uses fibre optic cabling, providing broadband speeds up to 100 mbp per second. It will operated on a wholesale-only, open access basis. It will be the first time that retail service providers will be able to access infrastructure that is not owned by one of its competitiors.

b.      the expected speed
The expected speed occording to the nbn.gov.au site is 100 mbp per second

c.       the expected costs
It costs $37 billion to build, Internode's cheapest NBN internet package will cost $59.95 per month with 12 megabit download and 1 megabit upload.  

6.      Do you think Australians should invest in The NBN? Justify your answer.

No, because most people aready use wifi for thier internet connection, what is the point of installing something so expensive when most households use wifi ?