ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. This technology transmits digital information at a high bandwidth on phone or business lines. ADSLs are alternatives to earlier voice band based modems. They ensure faster data transmission using copper telephone lines and the economic utilization of frequencies which are not being used for telephone calls. Unlike regular dial up based services which are prone to temporal limitations, ADSL modems provide a constant connection which is always on. The reason they are known as Asymmetric Digital Lines is because they use most of the space on the data channel for downstream transmissions to the user. They were specifically designed to exploit the one-way nature of most media streams in which all the data is usually streamed one way with only a few interactive controls at the other end. Due to this Asymmetric transmission, they can provide data transfer speeds ranging from 512 kbps (kilobytes per second) to about 6 mbps (megabytes per second).
ADSL2
ADSL2 is also known as ITU G.992.3 that is an International Telecommunication Union (ITU) standard. An ADSL2 extends and increases the capabilities of the original ADSL by doubling the number of downstream bits. This can lead to enhanced connection speeds of almost 24Mbps downstream and almost 1Mbps upstream depending on the distance of the Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) from the consumer’s house. Increased proximity leads to enhanced speeds and better connectivity with increased Mbps. DSLAM is a network device that allows faster internet connectivity through telephone lines. It collects various signals and combines them into a single signal through the process of ‘multiplexing’. This way DSLAM allows telephone companies and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to provide consumers with efficient copper wire internet connection technology (DSL) along with the added bonus of asymmetric streaming.
Who should use ADSL2?
ADSL2 and ADSL modems are especially useful for online gamers as they are provided with quick and constant connectivity thereby blocking the kinks and pauses that occur for loading time on slow net connections. These modems are also very useful for video conferencing as the quick data transfer creates a stable connection. The people who would benefit from these modems the most are those who stream videos music, and other media, along with people who enjoy digital radio on the internet as it provides seamless and efficient media transfer. These connections should also be used by people who use Peer 2 Peer (P2P) Software, such as Limewire, Frostwire, Bearshare, etc. for downloading media.
