Shaped vs unshaped ADSL – what’s the difference and which is best for you?

Posted on | July 12, 2010 | 4 Comments

If you’ve been looking at ADSL options recently, you’ll notice a lot of service providers mentioning ‘shaped’ and ‘unshaped’ ADSL. So, what exactly are they talking about and how will it affect you? Let’s look at the two options.

shaped-vs-unshaped-adsl

Which ADSL option is for you?

Shaped ADSL was introduced to speed up certain internet services. It was decided that the most popular internet services are internet browsing (HTTP), email (POP3 and SMTP) and services like File Transfer Protocol (FTP). With shaped ADSL, these services are given a higher priority over other specialised online services. Therefore, when the network is busy and you’re browsing the internet or using email, it’ll be quicker than say for example, downloading a file on a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. Internet banking and ‘normal’ downloads via an internet browser or FTP are also given higher priority.

Unshaped ADSL does not give any particular service priority over another. It’s more of a ‘first come, first serve’ type of internet. It doesn’t matter whether you’re reading the latest news on your favourite website or video calling on SKYPE. They should theoretically be processed at the same speed. Activities like using VOIP, FOREX trading, international share trading, VPN’s and online gambling will not have to wait in line behind the ‘high priority’ services mentioned above. Unshaped is also apparently a good option for serious gamers who use low latency international connections (or ‘low pings’).

To sum things up, if you’re using ADSL for standard tasks like internet browsing and email, then shaped ADSL should be fine. If you’re going to be using your ADSL for some of the other online activities mentioned above, you’ll probably prefer unshaped ADSL. I stick to standard internet browsing, email and FTP, so shaped ADSL suits me just fine.

Look around, there are some good options available.

Category: ADSL / Wi-Fi

Comments

4 Responses to “Shaped vs unshaped ADSL – what’s the difference and which is best for you?”

  1. JT
    June 21st, 2010

    I’m a gamer and am quite pleased with the speed I’m getting on unshaped ADSL. Look it’s pricey, but I’m willing to pay for it.

  2. Brian
    July 5th, 2010

    Thanks for this info. I had no idea what shaped/unshaped ADSL actually meant. Just that the one was more expensive than the other!

  3. Theko
    July 14th, 2010

    Yeah, this is great info, thanks! Shaped ADSL will definitely be the option for me then.

  4. Creation
    August 18th, 2010

    Maybe somebody can help ive got a 384 shaped line, but i download alot, dont play so much games, i want to know if it would be worth while to change to 384 unshaped?

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