| reply to knightmb
Re: That's utterly fascinating... Yes, both use fiber at different portions of their network. Cable companies get the fiber connection closer to the subscriber then the phone companies do though. The nature of the infrastructure allows for the cable companies to do so since they have less individual equipment impacted due to the architecure of a cable plant. Also, remote terminal is not the correct term in DSL. It is a DSLAM (digital subscriber line access multiplexer) and the DSLAMs are located in the CO of the telco. A CO is designed such that from the CO out to the subscriber is all twisted pair. This creates a huge difference in the distance that can be covered by the DSL signal. Since you cannot just up and rewire a whole city to add a CO, you cannot really reduce the "wire mile" from a CO to a residence without serious re-engineering of a telco line. In the cable world, you just add a new fiber run, and either add a new area of split an existing one. Far less change in cabling is needed to allow for new subscriber areas, or to reduce the size of any given subscriber area since all you need to add/change is the trunk run to the headend, not every single line to every subscribers house.
I understand the point that you were trying to make, and appreciate it. There are many advantages and disadvantages to both means of access, and I tried to point them out. I simply saw a few errors in the information and sought to correct them, while providing some additional information along the way. |
|
| I agree with some of what you have said but not all. Of course things may vary from region to region, state to state. From most of what I have heard... and from a friend or two on the East Coast the DSL on there is behind the curve. So that may account for some of the statements here.
Here in Cali (at least the area I live and work in) we have fiber to RT (SLAM) which is usually with in a mile (but can be as many as three to five miles) of the prem... if we are talking rural areas. We have a small farming community some eight miles outside of town which has fiber fed DSL. Ask them if they can get cable modem service. Or even cable TV service out there... or if they even want it.
In my area ComCast cable is behind... way behind. We are putting a huge hurt on them. Our 1536/384 DSL is $12.95 for the year with free equipment and free activation. And we have fiber to the RT feeding 75% of the people who are not within two miles of the CO. With only one area of town not yet covered by a SLAM (RT) int eh field.
DSL does not slow down at peak hour usage... that is the
internet. Cable on the other hand does. One conductor for an entire neighborhood. Not so with DSL.
We also have fiber to the prem for all new neighborhoods. Each house has 37mb per fiber to the prem. One fiber at the RT feeds twelve houses. Try that with cable. Only downfall so far is it is newer technology and some bugs are still present on occasion.
We are even rolling out fiber to the NOD here and hopefully will begin offering the major networks to our fiber to the prem customers soon.
I get the new at&t Yahoo elite package for $27.95 (plus taxes). Which is 6016/768. No slower speeds during peak usage. No faster speeds when the neighbors finally go to bed. I get over 600 kbps if the download server can handle it.
Though I am not knocking cable. I would have it in a heart beat if DSL wasn't available. :P |
|
 King PDon't blame me. I voted for Ron PaulPremium
join:2004-11-17
Franklin, TN
 ·Comcast
 ·Vonage
1 edit | reply to kahunanull
Remote Terminal is the correct term. BellSouth uses a Central Office and Remote Terminals. Remote Terminals are 2-3 miles away from the CO. The Remote Terminals are nothing more than a box that contains a DSLAM. There is one that is 1 mile from my house, and it serves our area...if you are a BellSouth customer, which I am not anymore.
--
Forget 'em, Support the Indies.
»www.ind-music.com |
|
