Wireless Broadband – Which Service Makes More Sense

Many consumers confuse the broadband network or "pipe" with "services." They are actually two separate things. The broadband network ("pipe") is the medium over which data, and increasingly voice and video packets are sent and received over the Internet or private networks. "Services" are the various voice, video, and data transmissions that can be sent or received on the network or pipe.

There a many types of "pipes" including dial-up, DSL, Satellite, Cable, Power Line and Wireless. A number of these technologies can be utilized for linking rural areas. However, 900MHz and 2.4MHZ (802.11 based) Wireless networks stand out as the least expensive, both to deploy as well as to use, and the easiest to implement. Since cable and telephone line Internet connectivity is not readily available in rural Quebec, the deployment of wireless networks is growing. Rural Quebecers live just outside the towns that are already serviced by local cable and telephone operators. There are thousands of Quebecers that cannot access the Internet except via dial-up service and prevent this part of the population from reaching medical, governmental, other professional services and business applications.

DSL Technology

DSL is the technology most commonly used by local telephone carriers for providing high-speed data services. DSL electronically enhances the conventional copper telephone voice line, enabling it to simultaneously provide both voice service and high-speed data traffic. Conventional DSL services offers downloads at speeds ranging from 1.5 Mbps to 5 Mbps or 6 Mbps over shorter distances.

 If a home is more than 4 KM away from the DSL equipment the signal will not be strong enough and the carrier will not be able to deliver the service.

Satellite Technology

Since satellite signals can cover large portions of the Quebec they are able to provide services to isolated rural areas that may not receive service via cable or wireline, or even terrestrial wireless networks.

The main issues with satellite Internet are its high cost per month, interference with the signal performance includes trees, structures or buildings, electrical storms, heavily cloud cover, slow upload speeds, latency and delay issues that do not allow for reliability when attempting some applications including Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and voice telephony.

Cable Technology

Cable television developed as a system of providing television programming to subscribers via signals transmitted through coaxial cable. Initially, cable television offered a means for homes unable to receive over-the-air broadcasting to have access to local television channels. Cable networks provide shared bandwidth among subscribers so if there are lot of homes connected in one area broadband speeds will slow down.

Power Line Technology

Broadband over Power Line (BPL) systems use existing electrical power lines as a transmission medium to provide high-speed communications capabilities by coupling radio frequency (RF) energy onto the power line, which is then distributed into the home. Quebec currently does not have any operating BPL networks systems 

 Wireless Broadband Technology

Wireless broadband services transmit data and information at high speeds using wireless links. These technologies can transmit using unlicensed spectrum and unlicensed devices. Some of the wireless broadband Internet access technologies in use today include 5.8 MHz, 2.4 MHz, 900 Mhz and Wi-Fi.

These broadband technologies enable subscribers to access the Internet via a receiving antenna the size of a book installed on the owner's roof that is connected to an in home router that connects either wired or wirelessly to home computers and laptops.

Wireless broadband Internet access services offered over fixed networks allow consumers to access the Internet from a fixed point while stationary and will work with non line-of-sight and a direct line-of-sight between the wireless transmitter and receiver. These services are usually offered using unlicensed spectrum and unlicensed devices.