Broadband refers to high-speed internet access that is always on and faster than dial-up. There are several types of broadband including DSL, cable, fibre optic, wireless, satellite, and powerline. DSL uses existing phone lines to transmit data at speeds up to several Mbps depending on location. Cable uses coaxial cables to provide broadband comparable to DSL. Fibre optic transmits data at substantially faster speeds, tens or hundreds of Mbps. Wireless broadband uses radio links and can be fixed or mobile. Satellite broadband works through orbiting satellites but is the most expensive option. In Ireland, options for broadband in the Cabinteely area include DSL from Eircom or Vodafone, cable

1. Broadband in Ireland
By Tony Smyth
N00082777
New Media Technology
DL242.4

2. What is Broadband
Broadband is a term which refers to the broad bandwidth (at least 256
Kbps) components of a transmission medium and its capability of
transporting multiple signals and traffic types at the same time.
Broadband generally refers to high-speed internet access that is always
on and faster than the more dated dial-up access.
Broadband v’s Dial-up:
• In the majority of connections, broadband provides a higher-speed of data
transmission and also caters for a greater amount of content to be carried
through the transmission.
• As the internet advances the newly-developing services require the
transfer of sizeable amounts of data that may not be technically viable
with the dial-up service.
• As broadband is always on, there isn’t a need to reconnect to the network
after logging off and it doesn’t block any phone lines.
• Less delay in transmission of content when using broadband.

3. Types of Broadband
There are several different types of high-speed transmission
technologies in which broadband can be obtained:
• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
• Cable Modem
• Fibre Optic Technology
• Wireless
• Satellite
• Broadband over Power lines (BPL)

4. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)
DSL is a wire line transmission technology that channels data quicker over traditional copper telephone lines
already installed in businesses and homes. Through DSL, phone lines and broadband work
simultaneously. DSL-based broadband produce transmission speeds fluctuating from several hundred
Kbps to Mbps. The accessibility and speed of a DSL service will depend on the location of a chosen home
or business in relation to the closest telephone company provider, i.e. the closer the location → the
fasted the connection.
There are two types of DSL transmission technologies. They are as follows:
• Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) – is a technology that is primarily used by residential
customers for transmitting digital information at a high bandwidth on pre-existing landlines. ADSL uses
most of the channel to transmit downstream to the user and a small part for upstream use. This
unbalanced method of streaming optimizes the customers usage, as the majority of residential users
would download rather than upload. ADSL accommodates for a faster downstream traffic over the same
line used for a telephone, whilst not disrupting regular calls on that line.
• Symmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (SDSL) – is a technology that caters for more of a business use.
Unalike ADSL, SDSL cannot operate simultaneously with voice calls over the same wires. Further more
from this, SDSL supports the same data rates for upstream and downstream traffic.
Quicker methods of DSL available to businesses;
• High data rate Digital Subscriber Line (HDSL)
• Very High data rate Digital Subscriber Line (VDSL)

5. Cable Modem
• Cable modem system is one which
allows cable operators to provide
broadband using the same coaxial
wires that delivers cable TV. One
can use cable TV and the internet
simultaneously.
• Cable modems aren’t connected
to the phone line which allows
them to have continuous
connection to the internet.
• Transmission speeds vary
depending on a number of
aspects; type of cable modem,
cable network and traffic load.
• Speeds are comparable to DSL.

6. Fibre Optic Technology
• Fibre Optic broadband uses fibre optic cables to
convert electrical signals transporting data to light
and sends the light through glass fibres about the
diameter of a human hair.
• Fibre optic cables transports data at a
substantially faster rate than that of current DSL
or cable modem speeds, typically by tens or even
hundreds of Mbps.
• The broadband speed depends on a number of
factors; how close the broadband provider brings
the fibre to one computer, how the broadband
provider configures the service and the amount
of bandwidth available in the package.
• The service provider may run the fibre into the
home/ business, to the curb outside, or to a
neutral location between their facilities and the
customer.
• The fibre cable that delivers the broadband can
also provide voice and video services, i.e. landline
and cable TV, simultaneously.
• Fibre optic’s are often used in rural areas where
broadband servers are scarce.

7. Wireless
• Wireless broadband uses high-speed technology that eliminates
the need for modem cables or routers. USB
• It connects to the internet using a radio link between the modem
customer’s location and the broadband provider’s facility.
• Wireless broadband can be either fixed or mobile.
Fixed Wireless:
• Fixed wireless broadband allows consumers to access the
internet from a fixed point while stationary and often needs a
direct line-of-sight between the wireless transmitter and receiver.
• These services have been offered using both licensed spectrum
and unlicensed devices.
• Subscribers can be added or moved without modifying the
infrastructure.
• Customers in a remote location can be connected to the internet
wirelessly without the need for the installation of new cables or receiver
optical fibres across the countryside.
Mobile Wireless:
• Mobile wireless broadband refers to a high-speed internet access
from mobile providers for portable devices.
• Most cellular providers offer wireless broadband for smart
phones.
• Cellular providers also offer internet access on your laptop using
built-in mobile broadband network cards or other portable
network devices, such as; USB modems or portable wi-fi mobile
hotspots.
• Generally wireless mobile broadband is slower than fixed
wireless.

8. Satellite
• Satellite broadband works in the same way as satellites that provide links for telephone and
television.
• Satellite broadband is another form of wireless broadband.
• It is the most expensive means of accessing the internet but in sparsely populated areas
offers a faster connection alternative than the dated dial-up connection.
• The strength of the connection is determined by the following factors; provider and service
package purchased, the consumer’s line of sight to the orbiting satellite and the weather.
Two types of satellite broadband:
• One way satellite internet access: in this situation a phone line with an Internet Service
Provider (ISP) is necessary. A request is sent through the ISP to the satellite operator using
the landline.
• Two way satellite internet access: no landline is required. A request is sent using a satellite
dish to the satellite.
One way Two way
satellite satellite
internet internet
access access

9. Broadband over Power lines (BPL)
• Broadband over power lines uses electric utility to provide internet access. It delivers
broadband over the existing low and medium voltage electric power distribution network.
• It is available in a limited amount of areas as it is an emerging technology.
• BPL can be set up in virtually every home or business.
• Modems plug into any electrical outlet and connect to the computer.
• BPL’s speed is similar to that of DSL and cable modem speeds.
• Broadband over power lines can interfere with radio frequencies. This interference has
tampered BPL’s popularity.

10. Broadband available in my area:

11. Categories of Broadband Networks
Available in the Cabinteely Area:
DSL Cable Fibre Wireless Satellite BPL
Vodafone UPC UPC Imagine WiMax Digiweb -
Eircom - Eircom Vodafone - -
Digiweb - - - - -
Mobile Broadband Providers
Meteor
O2
Vodafone
Three

12. Plans and Prices:
Connection/ Provider Maximum Speed Plan/ Cost
DSL/ Vodafone 24mbps 8mb/ 45 euro
24mb/ 55 euro
Fibre/ UPC 150mbps 50mb/ 39 euro
100mb/ 49 euro
150mb/ 59 euro
Wireless/ Imagine WiMax 10mbps 3mb/ 25 euro
7mb/ 27.50 euro
10mb/ 32.50 euro

13. Broadband choice for a small
business:
• I feel that UPC offer a better service than the other providers. UPC’s speed is a lot
faster than that of its competitors. The pricing in relation to the data usage is far
more attractive than the other providers. Initially I would obtain UPC’s 49 euro
package, as 100mb seems plenty but I can always avail of their 150mb package if
necessary.
• For a mobile business scenario I would obtain Vodafones Mobile WiFi device as it
is quite cheap; 29.99 euro, and vodafone has a very good reputation in Ireland for
having good mobile signal. Further more, it can take five devices simultaneously
which would be of great benefit to the business as multiple workers can use the
same WiFi.

14. References:
• http://www.oecd.org/internet/broadbandandtelecom/oecdbroadbandportal.htm
• http://www.getbroadband.ie/business_broadband_deals.php?at=2
• http://www.broadband.gov/broadband_types.html
• http://www.slideshare.net/EgerardB/broadband-in-the-dun-laoghaire-area
• http://www.scholarpedia.org/article/Digital_subscriber_line_%28DSL%29
• http://www.techterms.com/definition/cablemodem
• http://searchnetworking.techtarget.com/definition/ADSL
• http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/S/SDSL.html
• http://www.uchoose.ie/We-explain-the-different-types-of-Broadband-available-in-Ireland-1/read/
• http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,1237,t=cable+modem&i=39166,00.asp
• http://www.broadband-finder.co.uk/blog/2008/09/09/next-generation-broadband-could-cost-up-
to-288bn/
• http://www.broadbandchoices.co.uk/broadband/fibre-optic-broadband.html
• http://www.moneysupermarket.com/broadband/fibre-optic-broadband-guide/
• http://www.pcmag.com/encyclopedia_term/0,1237,t=wireless+broadband&i=54763,00.asp
• http://searchmobilecomputing.techtarget.com/definition/fixed-wireless
• http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/glossary/g/mobile-broadband.htm
• http://mobileoffice.about.com/od/connectingtotheoffice/g/satelliteaccess.htm
• http://www.internet-via-satellite.info/index.php/t/15/n/335/internet-satellite-does-work.html
• http://compnetworking.about.com/od/broadband/g/bldef_bpl.htm
• http://www.vodafone.ie/internet-broadband/?ts=1350607415815
• http://digiweb.ie/business/
• http://www.imagine.ie/offer/
• http://www.upc.ie/deals/
• http://www.strencom.net/
• http://business.eircom.net/broadband/?EGPage=BusBB