ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscribers Line) and cable modems are modem technologies that have been created to provide faster access speeds for users accessing the web. Although each company suggests there service is better, both companies have issues with providing service to your home. .
Asymmetric Digital Subscribers Line (ADSL) is a modem technology that uses ordinary copper phone lines into high-speed digital lines for ultra-fast Internet connections. ADSL modems use various digital-coding techniques, using up to 99% of the capacity out of a phone line without interfering with ordinary POTS or Plain Old Telephone Service (www.ADSL.com). This means a person can surf the Internet, download a file, or receive live feeds, and still be able to talk on the phone at the same time. DSL provides services as fast as a cable modem, and in some protocols much faster than a cable modem. .
The first major problem with ADSL is the distance that is required to be in the range for the service. Because of telcos trying to save money in copper wire costs they use the thinnest wiring possible. This attenuation affects the distance of the signal across the thin wire, so only systems within a 3-4 mile radius from a telephone switching office can receive ADSL (White 1). The telcos are obviously aware of this problem and have several solutions to assist in the problem. Digital Loop Carriers (DLCs) are installed now to customer's phone to provide phone service for homes and businesses. The first approach for telcos to update DLCs to handle ADSL is to replace parts in the DLC cabinet with integrated ADSL components to offer ADSL (Bushaus 2). The second approach is to build a remote DSL Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) near large scale and upper class neighborhoods to ensure they get a return on their investment. The reason telcos are so big on a return investment in this approach is because one DSLAM can cost up to $100,000 (1).