Fibre Optic Technology
In the modern world there are a number of network structures that can support broadband services. Previously, as data transfer services were carried through separate networks, such as computer networks to carry data, telephone to carry voice, private corporate networks for video-teleconferencing, and television on cable or broadcast radio networks. These networks were designed exclusively for suiting a specific application that says, they were not perfect to carry other applications. This led to the requirement of a single convenient network that can bear multiple applications at the same time.
The onus was on a single network that could act as the jack of all trades. Thus came into prominence the idea of an
integrated services network. Here, integration avoids the requirement for multiple overlaying networks that complicate the management of networks to a great extent. This integration has been enabled by the technological advancement in high-speed processing of data, coupled with the augmentation of the broadband sector.
Amongst the available multiple network structures, which are strong enough to bear broadband services, a greater number of MSO and broadband providers are today opting for the novel fibre optic network structures. Fibre optic broadband runs over fibre cables in the ground, very much unlike the ADSL broadband that requires copper telephone wires to run. The make-up of the cables itself substantiates its capability to be much faster than the other contemporary structures.
Glass or plastic is used to make fibre optics. These are the materials that facilitate a speedy movement of information along their length. This is were the ADSL technology falters, as the copper telephone lines tends to lose speed while traveling long distances. This results in varying broadband speeds. As for fibre optic lines, even while traveling long distances, very less speed is lost. This is the predominant factor that makes fibre optics a superior technology. At present, Virgin Media is the sole ISP that offers broadband through fibre optic cable.
I live in Slough, next to one of the biggest trading estates in Europe and cannot even get 256kb connection.
When Telewest (now virgin media) had the head office in Slough they never invested in Slough as promised, at one point I even took out a Cable telephone line with a promise that they would be upgrading the whole area to digital soon, that prove to be a frustrating time and waste of money. The VM coverage in slough claim to be about 5%, probably offering thousands of premium lines to customers in the biggest trading estate in Europe…. but I’m yet to find a street that the VM checker states VM have the service available…
Even in credit crunch times, one only has to look at the amount of well paid jobs around the slough area (in comparison to the rest of the country) to know that some companies offering broadband should offer broadband services to the whole of Slough.
From personal experience, VM advertised digital services currently continue to be a waste of time and waste money.
Cable broadband is one thing and ADSL is another totally different service. A bit like some people claiming to be selling wireless broadband when they only offering a wireless router connected to ADSL connection, the 2 products have nothing to do with each other. In a positive note VM has changed the checker in the site a while back to let the users know where they do not offer digital services.
The day VM upgrades the service in my area, I will be happy to try it out.
I would to join on the online classes please advice