ADSL and varying connection speeds
I came across this article on GigaOm, a website that deals with in depth tech industry news. The author Om Malik gives details on a report that explains why ADSL 2+ is not a good deal when it comes to using skype and other Internet telephone systems (voice over IP or VoIP).
Many Internet Service Providers (not just in France) like ADSL 2+ because not only can it handle longer distances from the exchange (to your home) but the bandwidth (the speed in which data is transfered) can vary because it is shared between subscribers. So you don't have your own connection to the Internet Service Provider, a set amount of bandwidth is shared between all those who connect to the same phone exchange. If a connection needs more bandwidth, then it is taken from somewhere else.
ADSL (plain old ADSL) does not have this 'feature' but instead the bandwidth that you get is what you keep. There is no stealing but it is limited to the distance to your home.
Now this may explain why many people have experienced slow performance on their connection and why Skype can sound so bad. May even explain the unexpected loss of connection that we sometimes get.
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What visitors have said...
- Irena-Marie Makowska said on 03 December 2006
what alternatives are their to broadband in France as the property we are buying in Lisle Sur Tarn is unable as yet.We understand you can go through satalite, but we need to email out and we were told it would be very slow as it only recieves data.Would French Telecom put the connection in if we asked. - Bob Toovey said on 03 December 2006
Irena, satelite does require a phone or ADSL connection. Requests for webpages goes out through the ADSL/phone connection. The page is then sent to you via the satelite connection. It can be expensive but for some it is the only alternative. Contact me and I find out more about when the ADSL connection is coming to Lisle sur Tam
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My name is Bob Toovey, a UK expat living in south west France. I have worked in IT for over 20 years. I hope to give you helpful advice about using your computer and more whether you run a business or just enjoying expat life.
