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

A downstream internet connection is when data is sent from the Internet to the user's computer and upstream is the opposite ? data being sent from the user's computer to the Internet.

If you have ever used the internet from a dial up service and then moved to broadband, as I have, you will be amazed at the speed difference.

This happens because broadband sends data in a different form thus allowing more data to be sent through the transmission ?pipeline?.

High speed internet connection allows you access to the high quality internet services, like VoIP phone, streaming media, other interactive services. Many of these new technologies need to ship large amounts of data which could not have be done with dial-up service.

Thus, a broadband connection will be increasingly needed to access the full range of services and opportunities that the Internet has available.

A great thing about 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 several different technologies. These comprise Broadband over Powerlines (BPL); Satellite; Wireless; Fiber; Digital Subscriber Line (DSL); Cable Modem.

Which broadband service you choose will depend on several issues. Including availability; how the broadband service is packaged with other services (such as telephone); price; whether you reside in a rural or urban district.

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) is a technology that delivers data over the traditional copper telephone lines already installed at your house. It is faster then a dial-up service but it's speed and availability will depend on the distance of your telephone exchange from your house.

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 tv uses.

Users of cable can access their cable modem and still watch cable TV at the same time. Data speeds vary depending on the type of cable modem; cable network; traffic load but are similar to DSL.

Fiber optic technology converts electrical signals that carry data into light. It then sends the light through transparent glass fibers about the thickness of a human hair.

Fiber optic technology delivers data at speeds far exceeding DSL or cable.

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

Satellite broadband is another form of wireless broadband. The speed of data transfer is commonly not as fast as DSL but faster than dial-up.

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

With You in Technology
Adam White