Difference between ADSL and Optical Fiber?
There are considerable differences between ADSL and optical fiber , both in terms of performance and service coverage. The main factor that influences the performance of a home Internet connection is, without any doubt, the technology with which the connection is made.
Connection speed: the real distinction
Net of the various technical aspects, the one that differentiates ADSL connections from fiber optic connections more than anything else is precisely the connection speed. Both in terms of data transmission speed and latency time, a very important factor for judging the quality of the connection, they are decidedly better when navigating with a fiber optic network than an ADSL network.
FTTC and FTTH :
To date, thanks to the growing diffusion of 4G, even mobile networks guarantee performance that is clearly superior to ADSL networks with the only limitation that the connection is limited as regards traffic volumes (unlimited connections in the mobile telephony market are installments and generally very expensive).
On the Italian market there are also connections called "mixed fiber" which are generally of the "mixed copper fiber" type, also referred to as FTTC (Fiber to the Cabinet) to differentiate them from fiber optic connections called FTTH (Fiber to the Home) which represent the absolute best type of connection for the Internet at home regarding the performance level.
Fiber, ADSL and wireless Internet
Before going into the details of the differences between ADSL and fiber, we briefly summarize the types of Internet connections available to date in the Italian fixed telephony market with precise details regarding the services guaranteed to users.
Connection speed: the real distinction
Net of the various technical aspects, the one that differentiates ADSL connections from fiber optic connections more than anything else is precisely the connection speed. Both in terms of data transmission speed and latency time, a very important factor for judging the quality of the connection, they are decidedly better when navigating with a fiber optic network than an ADSL network.
FTTC and FTTH :
To date, thanks to the growing diffusion of 4G, even mobile networks guarantee performance that is clearly superior to ADSL networks with the only limitation that the connection is limited as regards traffic volumes (unlimited connections in the mobile telephony market are installments and generally very expensive).
On the Italian market there are also connections called "mixed fiber" which are generally of the "mixed copper fiber" type, also referred to as FTTC (Fiber to the Cabinet) to differentiate them from fiber optic connections called FTTH (Fiber to the Home) which represent the absolute best type of connection for the Internet at home regarding the performance level.
Fiber, ADSL and wireless Internet
Before going into the details of the differences between ADSL and fiber, we briefly summarize the types of Internet connections available to date in the Italian fixed telephony market with precise details regarding the services guaranteed to users.
- FTTH fiber (Fiber to the Home): this technology requires that all the connection is made with fiber optic cables that reach the user's home; today this technology is able to guarantee a maximum speed of 1000 Mbps in download and 100 Mbps in upload; the coverage of this technology is still limited even if it is constantly growing;
- FTTC copper mixed fiber (Fiber to the Cabinet): this technology represents an intermediate solution between the optical fiber and the ADSL; only part of the connection is made of optical fiber while the last section is made with traditional copper cables; as regards performance, the FTTC mixed fiber is able to guarantee a maximum speed of 200 Mega in download and 20 Mega in upload; the coverage is significantly greater than that guaranteed by the FTTH fiber but less than that guaranteed by the ADSL;
- ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line): widespread for many years, ADSL technology has excellent coverage of the national territory but offers very limited performance in terms of browsing speed; an ADSL connection can reach, at most, a speed of 20 Mega in download and 1 Mega in upload but the real performances tend to be, generally, much lower than the maximum values;
- Wireless internet: in all areas where there is no FTTH fiber coverage and FTTC mixed fiber coverage and ADSL is not available or offers limited performance, it is possible to focus on various wireless Internet technologies such as satellite Internet, which uses a satellite connection to access the Internet, or the mixed fiber radio solutions that use a radio connection with a repeater connected to the optical fiber; the performance of wireless Internet connections depends on the technology with which the connection is made; these technologies represent an excellent alternative for those who are not reached by the fiber optic and do not want to give up a fast and unlimited connection from home. We now see, in detail, what are the differences between ADSL connections and connections that occur over the network in optic fiber.
Connection speed: the ADSL performance
As already indicated in the previous summary, ADSL and fiber optic connections have significantly different performances. ADSL networks using the classic telephone twisted-pair cable for data transmission via copper cables. Optical fiber, on the other hand, is a completely different technology and provides an integral connection that does not use the obsolete telephone data transmission network. The main difference between ADSL connections and fiber optic connections is, therefore, represented by the connection speed. As previously seen, in fact, an ADSL network can reach a maximum speed of 20 Mega in download and 1 Mega in upload. These "nominal" values are rarely reached by ADSL connections which are strongly influenced, in negative, by various factors such as, for example, the distance from the roadside unit that covers the area where the user's line is located.
In most cases, in fact, an ADSL connection has significantly lower speed values than the maximum values achievable using this particular technology. As a result, the actual quality of the connection will, in most cases, be very poor especially when the upload speed, which is already limited to just 1 Mega maximum, will be extremely low.
The speed of optical fiber
As for the FTTH optical fiber , however, the situation is reversed. As previously seen, in fact, the maximum connection speed can reach a value of 1000 Mega in download and 100 Mega in upload. These are very high values that allow you to get a really good Internet connection for any activity.
As already indicated in the previous summary, ADSL and fiber optic connections have significantly different performances. ADSL networks using the classic telephone twisted-pair cable for data transmission via copper cables. Optical fiber, on the other hand, is a completely different technology and provides an integral connection that does not use the obsolete telephone data transmission network. The main difference between ADSL connections and fiber optic connections is, therefore, represented by the connection speed. As previously seen, in fact, an ADSL network can reach a maximum speed of 20 Mega in download and 1 Mega in upload. These "nominal" values are rarely reached by ADSL connections which are strongly influenced, in negative, by various factors such as, for example, the distance from the roadside unit that covers the area where the user's line is located.
In most cases, in fact, an ADSL connection has significantly lower speed values than the maximum values achievable using this particular technology. As a result, the actual quality of the connection will, in most cases, be very poor especially when the upload speed, which is already limited to just 1 Mega maximum, will be extremely low.
The speed of optical fiber
As for the FTTH optical fiber , however, the situation is reversed. As previously seen, in fact, the maximum connection speed can reach a value of 1000 Mega in download and 100 Mega in upload. These are very high values that allow you to get a really good Internet connection for any activity.
Optical fiber and streaming
With fiber optics, for example, there will be no problems of any kind to stream 4K content that usually requires a dedicated band of just over 20 Mega for each stream. Thanks to the enormous band available, the optical fiber also guarantees excellent multi-user use. A family that has an FTTH connection at home will have no problem using the Internet at home even, for example, connecting different devices at the same time.
With fiber optics, for example, there will be no problems of any kind to stream 4K content that usually requires a dedicated band of just over 20 Mega for each stream. Thanks to the enormous band available, the optical fiber also guarantees excellent multi-user use. A family that has an FTTH connection at home will have no problem using the Internet at home even, for example, connecting different devices at the same time.
Optical fiber and upload speed
Even the high upload speed guarantees a net upgrade of the connection. The user will be able to send a large number of data in a very short time, making different tasks, such as sharing a file or uploading photos and videos online, definitely faster. With an ADSL network try to load a heavy file or a large number of photos and videos is almost impossible due to the limited performance of the connection. Clearly, the connections that take place with FTTC technology have intermediate performance between the FTTH and the ADSL resulting in any case excellent solutions compared to the obsolete ADSL connections.
Even the high upload speed guarantees a net upgrade of the connection. The user will be able to send a large number of data in a very short time, making different tasks, such as sharing a file or uploading photos and videos online, definitely faster. With an ADSL network try to load a heavy file or a large number of photos and videos is almost impossible due to the limited performance of the connection. Clearly, the connections that take place with FTTC technology have intermediate performance between the FTTH and the ADSL resulting in any case excellent solutions compared to the obsolete ADSL connections.
ADSL vs fiber: costs
Despite the enormous performance differences between these two technologies, the costs of an ADSL connection are quite similar to the costs of an FTTH fiber or FTTC mixed fiber connection. Telephone operators in Italy have, for some time, adjusted their price lists by proposing tariff solutions that do not take into account the technology used to connect significantly.
In most cases, in fact, telephone operators offer very similar rates with the user who has the possibility to activate the subscription by using the best technology available at his home address. In several cases, moreover, the providers make it possible to carry out the change of technology, for example by switching from ADSL to FTTH fiber, in the event that there should be an improvement in the coverage in the area of residence of the user.
As regards costs, therefore, the differences between ADSL and optical fiber are very limited or even absent. Furthermore, it may happen that operators offer more advantageous promotional rates for those who are reached by fiber-optic than ADSL thanks to the possibility of combining additional services such as, for example, access to streaming platforms to the Internet home subscription. on demand that would be limited with an ADSL network.
In general, therefore, when choosing a new Internet connection at home it is essential to proceed with the verification of coverage in order to be able to evaluate which technologies are available at the address where the line will be activated. If available, the FTTH optical fiber, but also the FTTC mixed fiber, represents a considerably better solution compared to the ADSL network which now offers performance well below the acceptable minimum. For this reason, all users reached by ADSL must periodically check the availability of FTTH optical fiber or FTTC mixed fiber in order to be able to pass from the obsolete ADSL to a new generation technology capable of guaranteeing significantly higher performance.
Despite the enormous performance differences between these two technologies, the costs of an ADSL connection are quite similar to the costs of an FTTH fiber or FTTC mixed fiber connection. Telephone operators in Italy have, for some time, adjusted their price lists by proposing tariff solutions that do not take into account the technology used to connect significantly.
In most cases, in fact, telephone operators offer very similar rates with the user who has the possibility to activate the subscription by using the best technology available at his home address. In several cases, moreover, the providers make it possible to carry out the change of technology, for example by switching from ADSL to FTTH fiber, in the event that there should be an improvement in the coverage in the area of residence of the user.
As regards costs, therefore, the differences between ADSL and optical fiber are very limited or even absent. Furthermore, it may happen that operators offer more advantageous promotional rates for those who are reached by fiber-optic than ADSL thanks to the possibility of combining additional services such as, for example, access to streaming platforms to the Internet home subscription. on demand that would be limited with an ADSL network.
In general, therefore, when choosing a new Internet connection at home it is essential to proceed with the verification of coverage in order to be able to evaluate which technologies are available at the address where the line will be activated. If available, the FTTH optical fiber, but also the FTTC mixed fiber, represents a considerably better solution compared to the ADSL network which now offers performance well below the acceptable minimum. For this reason, all users reached by ADSL must periodically check the availability of FTTH optical fiber or FTTC mixed fiber in order to be able to pass from the obsolete ADSL to a new generation technology capable of guaranteeing significantly higher performance.
