What is ADSL broadband and how does it work?
Broadband provides faster internet speeds to homes at rates that are at least ten times faster than standard dial-up. With prices for broadband packages now as low as standard dial-up, the choice between the two is relatively easy.

What is ADSL broadband and how does it work?
ADSL is an abbreviation of asymmetric digital subscriber line – which basically refers to broadband through a telephone line.
ADSL modem routers rely on an upgraded
fixed telephone line. You plug the ADSL router directly into the phone line and there is no need for a separate modem – the broadband internet connection is then pushed to all computers within your home and within the wireless range. The only times you can receive an ADSL connection without a phone line is through a process called local loop unbundling in which providers offer an ADSL service without using a fixed line exchange, thus allowing them to be more competitive with the prices and services they offer.


Though cable broadband is not as readily available as ADSL, it is on the increase in SRILANKA and is already well-established in the UK and United States where there were more than 22.5million cable modem users as far back as 2005. So how does cable broadband work and what are its advantages?
A cable modem allows data to be sent over the cable television structure by taking advantage of unused bandwidth on the network. As a result you need to live in an area that is served by cable – but you do not require a phone line.
The installation process sees a cable modem attached to a coax cable which goes outside the house and on to a cabinet in the street. In order to work with your PC, it is usually necessary to install a LAN card – this is something you will usually have to do yourself as engineers generally won’t get involved in the set-up process. In effect, although it is called a ‘cable modem’, it acts more like a network router.
Many cable modems will also incorporate their own router alongside the modem functionality. Even though they may appear within the same device, functionality is kept separate from the modem. As a result, both the wireless router and the cable modem will have their own distinct IP and MAC addresses.
As with ADSL the download speeds available on cable are much higher than the upload speeds. However, cable broadband has potentially faster download speeds than ADSL and can even get as high as 50Mb for some business broadband packages. Some cable companies may allow you to run your own web server at home but bear in mind that your IP address may be replaced periodically which can make access difficult.
Which is better – ADSL or cable? What are the alternatives?
Earlier in this guide we examined both ADSL and cable broadband – however, which is right for you, and are there any alternatives?
There is no definitive answer as to which is best between an ADSL and a cable internet connection – it’s all about which is right for you, the individual.

There are some alternatives if ADSL and cable broadband aren’t right for you:
- Wireless internet – Now being offered in remote and rural areas where ADSL and cable are not available. Certain internet providers offer local coverage using wireless technology and by fitting an antenna on the outside of a home, which can receive the connection. No telephone line is needed.
- Satellite broadband – Not currently available in Sri Lanka but generally only seen as a last resort, satellite broadband works in two forms. The first is a one-way connection where you can receive data, but can only send data (such as an email) with a dial-up connection. The second is a two-way connection but this is usually very expensive to install and includes a monthly subscription.
- SDSL – Standing for symmetric digital subscriber line, this is basically the same as ADSL but with uploads and downloads at the same speed. It is generally considered a specialist option for large businesses because it requires an extra telephone line.
So now you know all of the options, we hope you can make an informed choice about the right type of internet connection for you.