VDSL or Extended Ethernet as it is otherwise known, refers to already established technology that is applied in order to utilise an existing telecommunications environment without implementing Ethernet, geared mainly towards Internet solutions.
The technology allows for the sharing of existing Internet connection among users as if they each had their own separate broadband connection.
Some have hailed VDSL as a technology that overcomes the distance limitations of conventional Ethernet, but this is not where its true application or value lies.
The real benefit of this technology lies in a wide application with multiple users - a corporate network, block of flats or hotel for instance. In most cases, there is normally a central point where all telephone lines come into a building and then get distributed throughout.
In the case of VDSL, these cables are filtered into Extended Ethernet equipment consisting of a VDSL switch and a VDSL splitter. Cables are connected to the switch and then transferred back out to the actual units, offices, hotel rooms or whatever the case may be.
One will also have a single dedicated line or two dedicated lines coming into the product depending on what your bandwidth requirements are - as is the case with any conventional business.
These lines are networked to each area and connected to a product called a Client Premise Equipment (CPE) or Ethernet modem. This modem has facilities for a telephone and a normal Ethernet connection.
Whilst you are not using the Internet, you can pick up the phone and dial out. If you go onto the Internet with your Ethernet equipment from home, it treats it like a modem. One doesn't actually dial out - all you are doing is connecting to the central point where the switch and the VDSL splitter are located.
There is no voice over the line. It is very similar to a conventional dial-up modem, except the speed is 11Mbps to the central point. This point is connected to the Internet via X21 or ADSL - and one now has a shared line. This has several advantages:
All management is centrally located and the onus to ensure connectivity and supervise control is away from the user and before the service provider. Obviously there is an expense as far as the incoming line is concerned - but this is divided among those who subscribe to the service.
The tendency and cost-effectiveness of this, lies in having it installed on a permanent basis within a combined-user environment. It offers an opportunity for service providers and credible business operators, alike.
