What is ISDN?

ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) is a type of digital phones/data and internet services preceded by ADSL (asynchronous digital subscription line) and has been largely replaced. This process introduces not only a slight delay time, but also a signal distortion. Modems and phones are examples of devices that use analog signals. ISDN uses digital signals running along existing copper lines to increase data throughput, reduce line noise and increase signal quality.

In the mid -90s, ADSL was very expensive that was not widely available. Companies and individuals wanted a faster way to connect to the Internet, but the technology after modems by dialing reached its threshold. ISDN has become a viable alternative to ensure speeds of up to 128 kilobites per second (KBPS), compared to the standard connection of 30-53 kbps dial-dial.

The most common type of ISDN for Internet connection is the basic rate or ISDN BRI. ThisThe technology creates two channels B on existing copper lines of 64 kbps, along with a single 16 kbps D-channel for the telephone line. This separates data channels from the voice channel, allowing the use of a phone or fax on online.

While ISDN is cheap and about twice faster than dialing service, it was largely replaced by a affordable DSL service. Cheap ADSL offers speeds up to 384 kbps, while more expensive versions are constantly improving at speed. Since autumn 2005, standard ADSL speeds have been between 1.5 and 3.0 Mbps (megabits per second) or 1536-3072 kbps.

Although ISDN does not have to be the best option for packet switching networks such as the Internet, it is still widely used for professional audio and broadcast applications, where digital clarity with integrated telephone services is specifically required. Small businesses that often use two voice lines such as TelefoN and fax, and only require limited Internet connection, say, hour or less daily, may prefer ISDN. ISDN can also be a better choice for high -speed connection to intranet for video conferencing or for networks than the Internet.