Is ADSL3 Just Around the Corner?

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The following article is brought to you by an Australian ISP. – Ed.

As with any type of technology – whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, car or computer – we are always on the lookout for the next upgrade. We want products that do more and have more to offer, and yesterday’s products are yesterday’s news. But what about our internet connection?

When it comes to mobile broadband, we have now moved from 3G to 4G – or we are on our way there, at least. What about home broadband? ADSL2+ has been around for a while now. Does that mean ADSL3 is just around the corner?

The ADSL Progression
ADSL – or Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line service – was introduced in the late 1990s, using copper telephone lines to transmit data. ADSL provided faster connection speeds, and used a splitter to allow one telephone line to transmit ADSL data and voice calls at the same time. It is called asymmetric because its download and upload speeds are not symmetrical (download is faster than upload). Check out iinets various NBN plans to choose from, depending on your location.

ADSL2 was introduced around 2002 as an upgrade to ADSL, to provide higher performance and better quality connection speeds. The initialisation time of ADSL is reduced from more than ten seconds to less than three seconds with ADSL2. ADSL2 data speeds depend on a variety of factors, but can be up to 12Mbps download and between 1.3Mbps and 3.5Mbps upload.

Introduced in Australia in 2005, ADSL2+ was another upgrade, this time doubling the bandwidth for downloads. This upgrade again offered better performance further from the exchange, and faster data speeds. Speeds vary according to a number of factors, but download speeds can reach up to 20Mbps, with upload speeds remaining about the same.

What’s next? While there has been talk of a possible upgrade – perhaps called ADSL2++ – no concrete information has been released as yet. There may be ADSL2++ or ADSL3 in the pipeline, but details have not yet been made public.

Getting Connected with ADSL2+
With no hint of ADSL3, ADSL2+ is the best available at the moment. So, how can you get connected to ADSL2+? First you will need to check whether ADSL2+ is available at your address. You can usually check this on your ISP’s website, or call them directly to find out.

Some homes may not have ADSL2+ capability, in which case, ADSL may be another option. ADSL2+ is generally recommended for heavy users, so if you are not a heavy user, ADSL or another internet option may be better for you. Again, your ISP will probably be able to help you with this.

To get connected, you will need the right equipment and the line connection (something ISPs usually sort out for you). You may need to pay for equipment and a fee for connection, but this will depend on the plan you choose, on the ISP you choose, and if you choose a bundle. Compare all your options to make sure you get the right connection at the right price.

Netgear D6300 mates 802.11ac WiFi with ADSL, risks one heck of a mismatch

Netgear D6300 mates 80211ac WiFi with ADSL, risks one heck of a mismatchWhen Netgear teased a next-generation cable gateway with 802.11ac WiFi, it seemed like a natural fit: WiFi that was a perfect complement to 100Mbps-plus internet speeds. Its new D6300 (not pictured here) isn't necessarily in quite in such equilibrium, depending on just who you have as an internet provider. The hardware is billed as the first ADSL modem and router combo with 802.11ac built-in, but you'll need to use the gigabit Ethernet WAN jack with a fiber or cable internet link to get the most out of that fast wireless at home -- stick to the ADSL2+ and you'll face the wonderfully lopsided combination of a 1.3Gbps WiFi router with a maximum 24Mbps internet pipe. If home network speeds trump what you'll need for the outside world, you'll still get many of the benefits of Netgear's flagship R6300, including USB printer and storage sharing. Netgear starts selling the D6300 through stores in October, although it may be just as likely to come in the arms of a DSL install technician as your own.

Continue reading Netgear D6300 mates 802.11ac WiFi with ADSL, risks one heck of a mismatch

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Netgear D6300 mates 802.11ac WiFi with ADSL, risks one heck of a mismatch originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 17 Sep 2012 18:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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