Access Technology

Speed

Typical Cost per Month, 2009

Reach

Remarks

BPL—broadband over powerline, defined as long-distance, high speed transmission of data over the power delivery system.

Commercial - up to 3 Mbps Residences - 5 Mbps or higher

^**1800 BDT to 2500 BDT [4]

Depending on speed and features.

BPL can be applied to the ubiquitous electric distribution network.

Speeds same for upload and download; Number of users affects the speed.

Cable—use of cable TV provider’s coaxial or fibre-coaxial systems to transmit broadband signals.

1 Mbps to 3 Mbps

^**2000 BDT to 3200 BDT [4]

Available where cable has been installed so some rural and suburban locations may not have access.

The speed of the signal varies by the number of users on the neighbourhood network loop; it degrades with high numbers of users.

DSL—use of existing copper telephone wires to transmit broadband signal.

1.5 Mbps

^**1500 BDT to 2600 BDT [4]

In general, a residence must be within about 18,000 feet of the DSL central equipment office.

Not capable of transmitting TV signals.

Fibre (FTTx)—use of optical fibre lines to home (FTTH) or business (FTTB) to deliver broadband services.

1 Mbps to 1 Gbps

For 1 Mbps link:

1500 BDT [8]

For 1 Gbps link:

Instalment:

70,000 BDT [8]

Maintenance:

5000 BDT [8]

Fibre to the premises is available in some locations, but its deployment has been limited by high costs.

Cost reductions enabled by passive optical networks (PON) and advances in component technology are expected to bring costs down. Some telecom companies are already installing Fibre.

Satellite

500 Kbps

2600 BDT to 5300 BDT [9]

Requires a clear view to the south (in the northern hemisphere).

Trees and even heavy rain may affect reception on Internet data.

WiMax—worldwide interoperability for microwave access, based on a January 2003 IEEE standard (802.16), supports development.

Up to 75 - 100 Mbps

Modem:

4000 BDT [10]

For 512 Kbps:

2250 BDT [11]

For 1 Mbps:

5250 BDT [11]

For 256 Kbps:

1250 BDT [11]

Has a range of about 10 - 12 kilo meters of a single base station.

This technology has a predicted point-to point range of 25 miles or more [8] .

WiMax has recently entered the market. It is expected to reduce its service charge as it could catch a large number of customers.