On TechRepublic: Why Android beats iPhone
BNET Business Network:
BNET
TechRepublic
ZDNet
TalkBack 11 of 32:
Next »
« Previous
It's more the nature of the medium
I don't have a pee-aitch-dee in phee-seecs, but

because the data stream is an analog signal (AC current) and because of resistance, capacitance, and inductance in the wire, there's a practical limit to the frequency.

Thinner wires (like cat5) help get around the capacitance and inductance issues, but those don't work very well at carrying 240V @ 20A to your clothes dryer.

And resistance will always be an issue, so repeaters of sorts to boost the signal must be used for long distances.

Marginal equipment upgrades will get them closer to the fundamental limitations of thick copper wire. To get past it they'd have to use wire that has better than conductance than copper e.g. silver gold etc. - too expensive.

But if it's faster than dial-up, what the heck, y not.....

In contrast, fiber is truly digital. Just boost your laser power until you get a bright enough signal out the other end.

:o)
Posted by: Jack-Booted EULA   Posted on: 07/07/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

powerline broadband can't keep up  PVkWatts | 07/07/05
You're Clueless  itanalyst | 07/07/05
I'm one of those 28.8 (usually less) people  bdlang | 07/07/05
Clueless NOT  PVkWatts | 07/07/05
Your 10 years out of date.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/07/05
legacy hardware  PVkWatts | 07/07/05
All of that hardware gets bypassed.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/07/05
bypass is the only way to do it  PVkWatts | 07/07/05
That is what I see happening here  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/07/05
Just 10 years ahead  PVkWatts | 07/07/05
It's more the nature of the medium  Jack-Booted EULA | 07/07/05
fiber needs repeaters too  IPingFreely | 07/07/05
Problems Ahead  Roger Ramjet | 07/07/05
finally a sensible reply  PVkWatts | 07/07/05
Guys, you need to do some reading.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/07/05
Read your stuff again No Ax  PVkWatts | 07/07/05
Sounds like the right plan.  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/07/05
802.11b not 802.11g  PVkWatts | 07/07/05
Cost factor.  Yuhann | 10/10/05
I see a mix coming...  No_Ax_to_Grind | 07/07/05
Hey guys here is some more reading....  slack.kid | 07/07/05
excellent article  PVkWatts | 07/07/05
170 mbs???  tf6120 | 10/05/05
If you're going to pipe down power lines  voska | 07/07/05
problem is...  PVkWatts | 07/07/05
Serving low density vs high density housing  Yuhann | 10/10/05
give you this one in rural areas  PVkWatts | 07/07/05
BPL to each customer  Yuhann | 10/10/05
BPL  garyr_z | 07/07/05
BPL  drlaxton | 08/22/05
1st intelleginet question arround.  Yuhann | 10/10/05
Sorry meant drlaxton (not BPL)  Yuhann | 10/10/05

What do you think?

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

advertisement
advertisement
  • Smart Tech Expert advice on innovations in healthcare and the green technologies that make it happen. Find out more
  • Smart Business Discussion and advice on management issues that revolve around making your world smarter and more useful. More Smart Advice
  • Smart People The best and worst moves in the management and strategy trenches. Learn More