Connectivity for the Office / Homestead
Prior to the accessibility of an NBN service, many Australians connected to the internet via ADSL. For some, this is still the only way to access the internet. ADSL was developed in the early 1990s and launched in Australia in 1999. At the time of launch ADSL was a significant improvement compared to the technology preceding, which was using a modem dial-up solution over your home telephone line (meaning the phone was out of action for the time you were connected to the internet).
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) transmits data through existing copper phone lines and it’s the most basic form of broadband. There are three versions – ADSL (ADSL1), ADSL2 and ADSL2+. Each one provides a faster and better internet connection than the last. If ADSL is available where you live, there will only be one version to choose from. [Origin Energy]
How fast is ADSL?
ADSL2+ has download speeds of up to 24 Mbps but the average speed is 8 Mbps. The speed depends on the distance information needs to travel from the local telephone exchange to your home. If you’re more than 1km from the exchange, you’ll notice a significant dip in speeds.
Is there anything else I need to know about ADSL?
Cost: ADSL may be the oldest and most basic type of broadband, but that doesn’t mean it’s the cheapest.
Naked DSL: This is a broadband connection without a home phone line. (You get a home phone line rental with an ADSL broadband connection.) You can still make calls but it’s done over the internet where your voice travels as data.
On Net and Off Net: Offnet ADSL and ADSL2+ broadband plans are channeled through a different network to the internet provider they are bought through. This enables internet providers to offer more plans at a lower cost to more people.
The below video by Afrihost explains how ADSL works.