Networking Hardware
CABLE MODEM
A cable modem uses the same fiber-optic or coaxial networks used by cable TV providers.
Depending upon the provider, users might receive a self-install kit that splits the existing cable TV service into separate TV and cable Internet services or users might need to schedule an installation of a dedicated cable Internet line.
DIGITAL SUBSCRIBER LINE
Telecom companies such as AT&T, Verizon, and others typically offer a different type of broadband Internet known as digital subscriber line (DSL). Originally, DSL used the same telephone lines used for ordinary phone service, adding high-speed digital signaling that could coexist with regular (analog) telephone services.
These types of DSL are known as asynchronous DSL (ADSL) and synchronous DSL (SDSL).
ADSL downloads data faster, while SDSL has the same download and upload speeds and was marketed primarily for business use. DSL using phone lines is limited by distance (no more than 18,000 wire feet from the central office connection to the Internet to the service location) and line quality. Typical residential ADSL speeds are up to 6Mbps download and up to 0.5Mbps upload. Faster DSL services, such as ADSL2+ (asynchronous) and VDSL2 (synchronous) may combine fiber-optic and new copper wiring.
