ADSL

Access to reliable internet, such as an ADSL connection, can be something of a struggle when you live in regional areas, especially if you need the internet for your livelihood.

For many homes and businesses, a slow and unreliable internet connection is not ideal. It limits people’s ability to communicate with their friends and family, as well as businesses’ ability to reach their target markets. In worse instances, a poor internet connection could lead to a temporary halt in operations or lower sales for a business – never a great situation to be in.

Such problems could be more pronounced in regional areas. This is because, due to their remote locations, regional areas are frequently left behind in terms of technological advancements. With Skymesh’s help, however, this doesn’t always have to be the case.

Depending on your location, Skymesh may be able to provide internet services through the nbn® network.

Before we get into the details and benefits of Skymesh’s service plans, here are some basics on what an ADSL connection is and what it means for your internet connection.

What is ADSL internet?

ADSL stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, which is also called DSL. It’s an older type of internet connection that uses copper wires from existing phone lines to connect homes and businesses to the internet.

ADSL is a type of broadband connection. To wit, broadband is a high-speed internet connection that is always available and is faster than dial-up. A broadband connection can be any of several high-speed transmission technologies, such as ADSL, cable modems, fibre (or fibre optic), wireless, and satellites. Each of these options has unique advantages and characteristics that are distinct from the others.

Incidentally, the same copper lines used to deliver ADSL are also used for some nbn® fibre technology, meaning there’s some overlap between certain Fibre and ADSL services.

To this end, Skymesh has nbn® setup options available for regional areas, depending on our service coverage. For broadband internet, we have Fixed Line, Fixed Wireless, and Sky Muster® or Sky Muster® Plus satellite internet plans.

How does ADSL compare to other internet connections?

As ADSL plans fall behind other types of internet connections, it makes sense to want to switch to a faster or more modern WiFi setup that is available in your area. But how exactly does ADSL compare with other types of internet?

Below are a few different types of internet connections you may find available in your area and how they compare to ADSL. This information will help in comparing the available plans in your area.

• Dial-up internet. As the name suggests, this type of connection relies on a telephone connection and analogue modem to connect to the internet. While this is the slowest option on the list, it may also be one of the few options available in some remote locations.
• Cable modem and ADSL broadband. Cable internet is a type of broadband internet that uses a cable modem, such as cable TV lines or copper telephone wires, to provide a connection. Because cable internet and ADSL can provide fast speeds, they are popular choices for many homes, but access may be limited due to existing infrastructure.
• Mobile internet. Also known as mobile broadband, this type of internet service relies on cellular networks to provide internet connections and may be referred to as 3G, 4G (also known as LTE), or 5G.
• Satellite internet. Unlike land-based internet services such as cable and DSL, which use under- or aboveground cables to transmit data, satellite internet transmits from satellites orbiting the Earth to establish an internet connection.
• Fibre optic internet. Also known as fibre internet, fibre optic internet connections are transmitted over cables filled with thin glass or plastic fibres. A fibre optic connection can generally deliver speeds faster than a regular cable or DSL connection.

That being said, certain fibre internet services (such as nbn® FTTC or FTTN) also use the same existing copper cabling used for ADSL connections, which could affect overall internet speeds.

These services and their availability may vary depending on the region. If you’re in a regional town, Skymesh may be able to help, as we offer fast nbn® connections for areas under our service coverage.

Is ADSL a good option for people looking for cheap internet?

ADSL may be an acceptable option for people looking to get cheap internet, but it may be less cost-effective than newer internet options.

ADSL broadband relies on infrastructure that is quickly getting outpaced and outdated by newer ones. In Australia, for example, many ADSL plans rely on old copper wires originally established for phone lines. These lines are decades old and may be seeing deterioration or ageing in some places.

ADSL is also only reliable over copper lines. Because of this, you may not be able to receive ADSL if your internet service provider has switched over to using only fibre optic cables. A longer distance from the exchange also means weaker signal strength, which could cause slower connections during peak hours.

The good news is that, depending on your location, you may be able to sign up for a Skymesh internet service. Not only is Skymesh a retail service provider of the nbn® network, but we also have internet plans for truly regional locations.

What ADSL alternatives are available in Australia?

There are several alternatives to ADSL in Australia, and Skymesh can provide these alternatives to eligible addresses. Skymesh aims to connect regional Australia with the global community, and our award-winning plans are a testament to this goal.

Here is a breakdown of what Skymesh may offer you based on your address.

• Fixed Wireless connection. This service plan uses radio signals and outdoor antennas to connect your premises to an nbn® network wirelessly. This service plan is available in certain locations only, so we highly encourage checking your address for service coverage if you’re interested in this service.
• Sky Muster® and Sky Muster® Plus satellite connection. Our satellite internet service plan utilises cutting-edge satellites in space and a satellite dish installed on your roof to connect you to the internet.
• Fixed Line connection. Our Fixed Line plans offer high-speed broadband connections through the nbn® network’s fibre optic cables that connect to your premises.

nbn® uses a mix of different technologies across Australia, such as Fibre to the Premises (FTTP), Fibre to the Building (FTTB), Fibre to the Node (FTTN), Fibre to the Curb (FTTC), and Hybrid Fibre Coaxial (HFC connection). With that said, some of these connections use the same copper network as ADSL, which may affect the internet speeds provided by these services.

Eligible users may be able to enjoy free standard installations.* At Skymesh, you could use your own nbn®-compatible router if you already own one, or you could opt for and purchase Skymesh’s plug-n-play router (free shipping is included). Note that you must be comfortable configuring your BYO router yourself, as only limited support is available.

The world is at your fingertips with fast and reliable internet service. So what are you waiting for? Check your address with Skymesh today.

*Free standard installations do not include imposed nbn® charges.