INTERNET access in the University will now be faster as the UST Computer Center (USTCC) expands its bandwidth by going on broadband.
Bandwidth refers to the speed of data transfer from the Internet to the computer while broadband refers to the increased ability of a medium such as an existing phone line to carry big chunks of information in a single time. USTCC Network Administrator Bea Lacsamana told the Varsitarian that the University has recently acquired an E1 line, the European format for digital transmission, which has a speed of 2.048 megabits per second (Mbps). This translates to 2,048 kilobits per second.
A Varsitarian Special Report last Sept. 27 has shown that the University had a maximum Internet connection speed of 512 kilobits per second (kbps). While the University of the Philippines had 1,489 kbps, the Ateneo de Manila, 2,112 kbps, and De La Salle University, 6,144 kbps.
The development spells a four-fold improvement, which means Thomasians can download more information and open more sites in the Internet within a short span of time.
Lacsamana added that USTCC conducted tests last summer, using an E1 line leased from Eastern Telecommunication Philippines (ETP1), and found that a computer terminal could attain a speed of up to 420 kbps.
Meanwhile, USTCC Director Fr. Winston Cabading, O.P. said the increased bandwidth would better serve the Internet needs of the students and the faculty. This, he added, will aid the slowdown of Web-surfing during the peak hours of Internet use in the University between 8 am to 4 pm.
The project will also benefit research-based departments, such as the Faculty of Medicine and Surgery and the Research Center for the Natural Sciences (RCNS).
As early as now, UST-CC is planning to acquire another E1 line for the intensified Internet use in multimedia education and research in UST.
But as of the moment, the primary goal, according to Cabading, is to improve the speed of access to websites in the Internet by lessening the download time with the increased bandwidth.
Cabading expects a big improvement in the speed of Web browsing in UST. He urged the students to explore the potentials of the Internet and be responsible users.
In addition, he advised Thomasian Internet users to minimize opening multiple windows in every access to avoid slowing down the Internet speed.
“If in one computer, you have five windows and five browsers at the same time, that’s equivalent to five computers using one particular bandwidth,” Cabading said.
Students may now test the current bandwidth by accessing www.2wire.com, which has a bandwidth tester function.
Now that Internet access in the University has gained a great leap in speed, Thomasians can now enjoy superb Internet access.
The development is also expected to encourage students to take advantage of the University’s facilities, rather than use Internet cafes outside.
