ADSL South Africa: Shaped or Unshaped ADSL Broadband?

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

Shaped or Unshaped ADSL Broadband? This is one of the factors you need to consider when choosing an ADSL Broadband offering that's suitable for you.

Whether an ADSL Broadband offering is "shaped" or "unshaped," other factors to consider include the size of the cap which is discussed in another section of ADSL South Africa (Broadband South Africa), the ADSL Line Speed as well as the cost or pricing of the ADSL Broadband service.

Shaped ADSL Broadband vs Unshaped ADSL Broadband

Without getting too technical, an ADSL Broadband offering is "shaped" when certain Internet services or protocols (email, et cetera) enjoy a higher priority than other Internet services or protocols. "Shaped ADSL Broadband" slows down one's Internet connection when you use it for online gaming, peer to peer file sharing, VoIP, share trading, et cetera.

On the other hand, "Unshaped ADSL Broadband" is when all Internet services or protocols are treated equally.

In other words, "Shaped ADSL Broadband" boost the performance of one's Internet connection when you use it to read and receive email, browse the net and make normal downloads.

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On the other hand, it is better to go for "Unshaped ADSL Broadband" when you want to do online gaming, VoIP, peer to peer file downloading, et cetera.

The same principles apply to other non-ADSL Broadband offerings that are "Shaped" or "Unshaped."

In addition to the above, one also gets "Semi-Unshaped ADSL Broadband" which means that certain protocols (emails, etc.) enjoy a higher priority than others (online gaming, peer to peer file sharing, etc.) during business hours which is normally from 08:00 until 17:00.