ADSL South Africa - Copper based ADSL Broadband

Click here for a full list of factors to consider when getting ADSL Broadband.

In this section of ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) our focus will be on Copper or Traditional based ADSL Broadband in South Africa.

What is Copper based ADSL Broadband? Copper or Traditional based ADSL Broadband refers to the use of copper or existing copper telephone lines (POTS) to send and receive information at broadband speeds.

The use of copper in telephone lines is not something new. Copper were used in phone lines as early as 1876. It will therefore be correct to assume that the foundation of ADSL Broadband was build on existing copper telephone lines or POTS.

The largest part of the ADSL Broadband network in South Africa is copper based. Despite this and the fact that copper is superior to almost all other metals (silver, et cetera) when it comes to the sending and receiving of information at broadband speeds, we are not going to focus on the benefits of Copper based ADSL Broadband or the benefits of using copper to send and receive information.

The reason for this is simple: Fiber based ADSL Broadband as well as Satellite based ADSL Broadband are superior to Copper based ADSL Broadband in many aspects. It must be added however that Copper based ADSL Broadband is sufficient for most of the Average Joes in South Africa.

Copper, Fiber or Satellite based ADSL Broadband? When in doubt whether you must go for Copper, Fiber or Satellite based ADSL Broadband (when you have the option) be sure to visit the relevant section of ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) for more information. Click here

Will existing copper phone lines in South Africa be replaced by fiber or fiber optic cables at the end of the day?

We at ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa) predict that for most part copper is going to be replaced by fiber at the end of the day as a direct result of copper cable theft.

South African based telecoms giants such as Telkom, MTN and Vodacom have already been busy for some time to roll out Fiber based ADSL Broadband networks on a large scale.

It is no secret that copper is a valuable and expensive commodity because it has numerous applications such as in piping, electronics, household products, coinage, et cetera. No wonder there are so many cable thieves in South Africa. They are all after the copper in the cables. This in itself, is more than enough reason to replace the whole copper telecoms network in South Africa with fiber optic, which is cheaper and less attractive to criminals.

The theft of copper cables in South Africa, are not only disruptive to the households in the affected areas, but also to the South African economy as a whole. It is estimated that thousands of South Africans have already lost their jobs as a direct and indirect consequence of cable theft.

It is every decent South African's duty to do their part in combating the cancer of cable theftin our society. Please report cable theft at Telkom's toll-free crime report line 0800 124 000 or 0860 10111.