New Telecommunications Advances

Ever wondered why it takes so long to connect to the Internet?

Or how you could speed up file transfers containing your large graphics to a client?

Wondered if an important client was trying to get through while you sent that long fax?

The Solution

New telecommunications technologies now available can solve your data transmission dilemmas. The players in this competition for your communications business are the phone and cable companies.

The commodities they are selling are high-speed, data transmission technologies. Phone companies are coming to the bargaining table with "ISDN" and "ADSL", while the cable companies are touting their high-speed cable modems.

All offer a dramatic improvement over the modems used for the past 10 years. But how can you make an educated choice between these services?

ISDN

ISDN stands for integrated services digital network. Most modems today, even those 28.8 (28,800 kilobit per second) "high-speed" modems, are slow pokes compared to the capabilities of an integrated ISDN package. ISDN can transmit data at speeds up to 128 kilobits per second -- better than four times faster than a 28.8 modem. When downloading or transferring large files and graphics, the time difference is incredible.

For example, downloading a 60 megabyte file would tie up your phone line for about four and one-half hours with a 28.8 modem. Downloading that same 60 megabyte file would take just an hour on ISDN.

This is possible because ISDN, in contrast with analog modems, uses the digital language of computers, allowing for digital packets of information to be sent -- instead of sound waves -- over the same copper wiring that already carries phone calls.

A basic ISDN line has three channels. Two -- B channels -- support voice and/or high-speed data, while a third -- D channel -- is used primarily for signals between the equipment and phone company.

In addition to the ISDN line, a terminal adapter (TA) is needed. TA's are devices that convert all your communications equipment (fax machines, telephones, etc.) to the digital language of ISDN.

To fully utilize the higher speed of ISDN, everyone you communicate with will also need to be ISDN capable.

ADSL

ADSL -- asymmetrical digital subscriber line -- is much faster than ISDN: 1.5 megabits per second versus ISDN's 128 kilobits (1000 kilobits = 1 megabit) per second. That translates into a transmission speed 52 times faster than 28.8 modems.

Using the same example of downloading a 60 megabyte file, ADSL would take approximately five minutes ... compared to ISDN's hour.

ADSL also uses existing telephone lines. Like ISDN, you need to get an adapter for your phone line; but you also need an "ethernet" card for your computer (although some of today's computers come with an ethernet card as standard equipment).

Phone companies are turning to ADSL to compete with the cable company's new technology: high-speed cable modems.

The Cable Modem

Thanks to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, cable companies are also jumping on the information superhighway. Their offering for the world of data transmission is the high-speed cable modem.

These devices will operate at speeds approaching 10 megabits per second -- four times faster than ADSL -- and you never have to dial in, because the service is always on.

Again, using the same example as before, downloading a 60 megabyte file with a cable modem would take about six seconds. Pretty fast.

Jones Intercable, the United States seventh largest cable provider, is already making this service available to subscribers in Alexandria, VA. Other major cable companies -- such as Time Warner Inc., Continental Cablevision and Telecommunications Inc. -- are jumping on the cable modem bandwagon, too.

Versatility

One thing that both ISDN/ADSL and cable modems share is versatility. ISDN and ADSL, with their multi-ple channels, allow for true multi-tasking. Send a fax, talk with a prospective client, and research on the Internet's World Wide Web ... all at the same time.

Since they don't use the phone line, cable modems allow de facto multi-tasking. Your phone line isn't being used, so it's free for faxing or voice usage.

Phone vs. Cable

ISDN and ADSL run off your current phone lines. It's necessary to purchase adapters for both services to utilize them. Average start-up costs of ISDN are between $700 to over $1,000, depending on the type of setup needed. ADSL costs between $500 to $1,000, again depending on the type of setup desired.

Besides speed, the big difference between ISDN and ADSL is availability. ISDN is provided by almost all phone companies; however, ADSL availability is very limited.

Another consideration to note for both ISDN and ADSL is that there's a by-the-minute phone charge in addition to whatever price you're paying for Internet access.

The major disadvantage for high-speed cable modems is availability. Like ADSL, cable modems are limited in availability. Expect that to change within the year, though, because cable companies are serious about competing with the phone companies.

One issue to be aware of with cable modems is that, as more users enter a service area, speeds will slow down, since they use the same cable system. Early users, however will not have this problem and cable companies are planning to update systems as the number of users rise.

Cost is initially a major advantage for cable modems. Such companies as Jones Intercable will buy cable modems and charge around $30 a month for Internet service. But the catch is that you must already be a cable subscriber. This adds anywhere from $25 to $45 -- depending on the channel packages you select -- for a total of approximately $60 per month for complete cable service, including high speed cable modem.

Obviously, all these services are superior to current modems in many ways. They are significantly faster at data transmission and provide for more efficient use of resources through the opportunity to multi-task.

The cost issue is relative. Start-up costs for ISDN and ADSL are higher, but you will make up the difference between current modem purchase price and usage rates because the higher speeds allow more work to be done in a shorter time. That equals more business and profits.

Since you don't have to buy them, cable modems are cheaper. The catch is the higher monthly usage fee. Again, this cost will be offset by the much higher speed of cable modem transmission.

How Do I Get It?

Your local phone service can provide information about ISDN and/or ADSL. Call your local cable service provider for information about high-speed cable modems.

If you're going to cruise the information superhighway, why not drive the ISDN, ADSL and cable modem Ferrari's instead of your old analog modem's Yugo?