Broadband CA 1

Andrew HickeyDL242.4

Who are the providers in my area (Blackrock)

What is broadband??.Broadband - refers to high-speed Internet access that is always on and faster than the traditional dial-up access.

. What types of broadband are available?

1) DSL - Direct Subscriber Line- DSL is a wireline transmission technology that transmits data faster over traditional copper telephone lines already installed to homes and businesses. DSL-based broadband provides transmission speeds ranging from several hundred Kbps to millions of bits per second (Mbps).

2) Cable modem - Cable modem service enables cable operators to provide broadband using the same coaxial cables that deliver pictures and sound to your TV set.

3) Fiber power - Fiber optic technology converts electrical signals carrying data to light and sends the light through transparent glass fibers about the diameter of a human hair. Fiber transmits data at speeds far exceeding current DSL or cable modem speeds, typically by tens or even hundreds of Mbps.

4) Wireless - Wireless broadband connects a home or business to the Internet using a radio link between the customer’s location and the service provider’s facility.

. Wireless broadband can be mobile or fixed.Wireless technologies using longer-range directional equipment provide broadband service in remote or sparsely populated areas where DSL or cable modem service would be costly to provide.

. Speeds are generally comparable to DSL and cable modem. An external antenna is usually required.

What type of telecom companies are these?

• Eircom - supplies phone and broadband to the area.

• Broadband runs off a wireless reuter in the home - connects via fibre optic cables - not twisted copper cabling

• The fibre optic cable is run from the HQ to a cabinet located in blackrock - transferred to the house from there.

• Phone lines come up to street level - up a telephone pole and enter the home via external cable - (antiquated system

• Eircome plans to roll out fibre optics technology to enhcnce speed ans usability to areas.

UPC• Second largest provider for TV, Broadband, and phone in Blackrock Area

• As with Eircom, data sent via Coaxial cables and fed directly into the home

• Broadband is run from a reuteur box - fibre optic cable runs from the box into a specially made port - connected to the local area feeder box (same principal as eircom system)

• Phone is fed via underground cabling directly into the house

• UPC uses a system in new housing estates /apartment bloacks where each estate has a feeder box - each property is connected to this network via undgergound cabling installed during the build.

Wimax

• Newest broadband/phone provider in ireland - 4G technology- no line rental charge

• available in blackrock since july

• WiMax - worldwide interoperability for microwave access

• Operates over radio waves - transmists signals from mas to WiMax hub(in the house)

• Aim to reduce blackspots in the country

• WiMax - replacing DSL and cable services - can be rolled out anywhere.

• Too expensive for cable and phone companies to run in remote locations

What do they offer

Option 1: . 25mb Download speed. 100GB usage. Free Phoneline - Total cost €45 per month (1st 6months, €50 thereafter)

Option 2 :. 50 Mb Download speed.250 GB usage. Free Phoneline. €50 per month (€60 pm after 1st 6 months)

Option 3. 150Mb Download speed. 500 Gb of usage. Free Phoneline. €65 per month (€75 after 1st 6 months)

What do they offer

Option 1: . 50mb Download speed. 5Mb upload speed. - Total cost €39.00 per month

Option 2 :. 100Mb Download speed. 10Mb Upload speed . Total cost -€49.00 per month

Option 3. 150Mb Download speed. 10Mb Upload speed . Free Phoneline. Total Cost - €59 per month

Broadband speed

50Mb - 150 Mb50GB - 250GB N/A

phoneline yes Yes N/A

upload speed

5mb - 10mb

25Mb - 50Mb N/A

Price per month

option 1- €39option 2 - €49option 3 - €59

Option 1- €50Option 2- €50Option 3 -€65

N/A

Conclusion

• UPC would suit my needs the best

• provides both broadband with a good speed and phone lines

• good information on the website

• Also provides excellent deals for larger businesses.