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Metro Wireless Internet vs ADSL

It can definitely get a little confusing deciding exactly which broadband Internet solution is going to give your business or residence the support and connectivity it requires. While there are many options now available to South Africans, there are two clear choices that are proving popular across the country. Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines (ADSL) and wireless broadband can both provide high-speed Internet access but how do you choose between them?

Let’s take a closer look at how these two solutions differ from one another. Contact us for more information on which is best suited for you.

Advantages and Disadvantages of ADSL

By making use of the existing copper telephone infrastructures to send and receive data communication, this solution is well-suited for low-to-moderate online gaming, computer-aided design, and streaming multimedia or downloading large files. Here are pros and cons that you need to know about:

  • You’re able to browse the Internet and talk on the phone simultaneously with the use of a micro-filter.
  • You will enjoy an always-on connection, as there is no need to connect or reconnect, you’re always online; as long as your data package with your ISP hasn’t run out.
  • This solution has fixed monthly rates, if you choose an uncapped package for your data usage then your line and Internet cost will be the same amount each month.
  • It’s important to note that the further away you are from the telephone exchange the weaker your signal connection will be.
  • You’re likely to experience slower connection at peak times, the extremity of which will depend on how many other people are using the same line.
  • Asymmetric digital subscriber lines provide much slower upload speeds than download ones.

Find out more about ADSL and ISP solutions from KABtech. Contact us now.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Metro Wireless Internet Connectivity

This type of access makes use of radio waves, as opposed to cables or wires. This means it’s copper-free and far greener in terms of infrastructure than cable-based services. You’ll encounter wireless broadband quite often if you live in or near large cities or towns. It’s widely used in cafes, airports, and other types of public buildings like shopping centres. This is because customers can commission the service to distribute wireless signal over larger surface areas at once. Here are some pros and cons to consider:

  • With this service you enjoy great mobility, as you’re not bound by cable or wire connections. Several tenants within a building, for example, can enjoy Internet access from the same source.
  • This solution is very scalable, with new users able to easily be included in the wireless network. With ADSL an additional wiring to the network would be required.
  • The cost of installing a wireless network is often cheaper than a wired one.
  • Depending on line-of-sight between the receiver and transmitter, speeds may fluctuate and network performance may be hampered.
  • You need to enable additional security protocols in order to reduce the risk of outsiders accessing your network. These include WPA and WPA2 protocols.

Each of these solutions have their benefits and downsides, choosing the right one for you is what will ensure you receive optimum connectivity. ADSL offers a much more stable connection in some cases, but it’s not available everywhere – whereas wireless is more accessible.

Find out more about metro Ethernet and ISP solutions from KABtech. Contact us now.