Broadband Basics

Its fast and makes surfing the internet so much easier. Take a quick glance at what broadband is and how it works.

The American Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines a broadband connection as data transmission speeds exceeding 200 kilobits per second (Kbps), or 200,000 bits per second, in at least one direction: downstream or upstream. Broadband usually refers to a high-speed internet connection.

An upstream internet connection is when data is sent from your computer to the internet whereas a downstream internet connection is when data is sent from the internet back to your computer.

If you have ever used the internet from a dial up service and then tried out broadband, as I have, you will be blown away at the quickness of downloads.

This happens because broadband provides data transmission at a higher speed thus allowing more data to be carried through the transmission pipeline.

Broadband allows you access to the high quality internet services, like VoIP phone, streaming media, other interactive services. most of these new technologies need to move huge quantities of data which was unable to happen with dial-up service.

Thus, a broadband service will be increasingly needed to access the full collection of services and opportunities that the Internet has on offer.

A bonus with broadband is that it does not tie-up your phone line and there is no need to reconnect to network after logging off.

Broadband encompasses a few different technologies. These comprise Satellite; Cable Modem; Digital Subscriber Line (DSL); Broadband over Powerlines (BPL); Wireless; Fiber.

Which broadband technology you select will depend on a number of factors. Including how the broadband internet access is packaged with other services (like voice telephone and home entertainment); price; availability; whether you are located in a rural or urban district.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a technology that sends data over your copper telephone lines already installed at your home. It is faster then a dial-up service but its availability and speed will depend on the distance of your home from your phone exchange.

DSL encompases Asymmetrical Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) which generally provides faster speedin the downstream direction than the upstream direction.

Cable Modem sends data through the same coaxial cables that your television uses.

Users of cable can access their cable modem and still watch cable television while using it. Transmission speeds vary depending on the traffic load; type of cable modem; cable network but are similar to DSL.

Fiber technology changes electrical signals carrying data into light. It then sends this light through transparent glass fibers about the thickness of a human hair.

Fiber optic technology sends data at ten to one hundred times faster than DSL or cable.

Wireless broadband connects your home to the internet using a radio link between an external antenna on your homeand the service providers facility. Wireless broadband can be mobile or fixed. Speeds are commonly similar to DSL.

Satellite broadband is another variety of wireless broadband. The speed of data transfer is commonly slower than DSL but 10 time quicker than dial-up.

Broadband over Powerline (BPL) is the transmission of the internet over your existing medium and low voltage electric power distribution network. The transmission speeds of BPL are similar to DSL.

With You in Technology
Adam White