Broadband Research (new)

1.      What is broadband? Broadband is a high-data rate connection to the internet. Broadband technologies supply more than the 60kbit/s rate dial-up connections are limited to.


2.      Outline the methods of delivery of broadband (wireless, cable, ADSL and fibre)? Identify the speed of each method. The speed from wireless broadband internet changes depending on the distance between your device and the router itself. Speeds are faster when you are closer because the signal is stronger, and there is no interference from other wireless networks. Cable broadband Internet connects a device (normally your home computer) to the internet using the cable television infrastructure and bit rates can be as much as  400 Mbit/s. ADSL is a family of technologies that provides digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. ASDL services normally range from 25kbit/s to 20 Mbit/s downstream depending on line conditions and service level. Fiber Optic Cable lines are connected directly to buldings and will deliver broadband internet upto 100 Mbit/s.

3.      Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of each method. Advantages with wireless broadband is that you don't have to be connected to your internet source, meaning there are no cables required. Instead, as long as your device can use Wi-Fi you can go online with your hand held devices from around 20 metres from your home router. If the wireless is connected to a Yagi antenna then up to kms. Disadvantages with wireless broadband is that the signal can get disrupted by other devices or other wireless signals around the area. Advantages for Cable Broadband is that it's faster and unlike wireless, the internet connection is less likely to be disrupted. Disadvantages for Cable Broadband include the fact that there are wires to be connected and it is normally available for one device. Advantages for Fibre Optic Cable Lines include that they are powerful and help spread the internet to large amounts of devices (such as work offices in a building) at a fast rate.

4.      Give examples of broadband providers and identify the costs.
      Optus Broadband, BigPond Broadband, and Virgin Mobile Broadband. Optus costs $79 for 120GB ADSL2+, Bigpond costs $98 for 100GB with a bonus 75GB, Virgin Mobile Broadband costs $39 for 10GB. All of these rates are per month.


5.      The Federal Government is thinking of rolling out a national broadband network (The NBN). Research the NBN and find out:

a.       what method of delivery it will use The Federal Government plan to lay fiber optic cables to 93% of Australian homes

b.      the expected speed It will provide boradband speeds of upto 100MB/s

c.       the expected costs  NBN will be provided and installed by NBN Co. NBN Co’s Corporate Plan assumes no cost for the connection of this equipment within an end user’s home. A charge may apply for non standard installations.

6.      Do you think Australians should invest in The NBN? Justify your answer. I believe that Australians SHOULD invest in the NBN because it benefits households, businesses, healthand aged care, the environment, the telework, government services and regional Australia. This service isalso cheap so I believe that Australians should take advantage of this. The internet is used by many and having a service such as this will prove fruitful in school work, where students shouldn't have an excuse about not being able to hand in their work, and businesses can research more and be more successful.