Definition

Broadband is the transmission of wide bandwidth data over a high speed internet connection.

According to the FCC, the definition of broadband internet is a minimum of 25 Mbps download and 3 Mbps upload speeds. Broadband provides high speed internet access via multiple types of technologies including fiber optics, wireless, cable, DSL and satellite.

In telecommunications, broadband is wide bandwidth data transmission which transports multiple signals and traffic types. The medium can be coaxial cable, optical fiber, radio or twisted pair.

Broadband is a high-capacity transmission technique using a wide range of frequencies, which enables a large number of messages to be communicated simultaneously.”it’s important to have a firewall if you have broadband”

What broadband speed do I need?

Streaming HD videos, gaming and downloading large files eat up the most bandwidth. To achieve a virtually seamless experience with less lag, you may want to consider speed plans 100 Mbps and above. For all other activities like streaming music, surfing and video conferencing — anything above 25 Mbps should be enough. It all depends on how patient you are with potential buffering and slightly slower speeds when others at home are competing for bandwidth at the same time for their own activities.

Not sure how fast your broadband is? Use our speed test tool to see how your current provider compares to Fios.

1. Cable

Cable Internet is extremely popular among home users in America. The technology works by utilizing the same coax cable that delivers sound and picture to your television and is capable of reaching speeds past 1.5 MBPS, which is in many way comparable to the speeds of DSL. A cable modem is used as go-between, which allows you to surf the web while also watching TV or utilizing cable phone.

As cable companies are beginning to see a decline in business, however, it’s fair to say that cable Internet may soon be replaced by other, more modern delivery methods.

2. Fiber

Fiber optic technology is fast becoming one of the newest and most modern ways to go about sending and receiving data. The technology works by converting electric signals into a form of light, which is then sent through transparent tubing (fibers).

One of the major benefits of fiber optic broadband is that it can reach speeds much higher than cable and DSL, making it perfect for businesses that rely on fast Internet. Fiber optic plans are beginning to be offered by telecommunications companies – Verizon FiOS is just one example.

3. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

DSL has become somewhat of a household term over the course of the past decade or so, and for good reason. This particular type of broadband actually utilizes the copper wiring already found in many homes and offices. Unlike dial-up, however, DSL can deliver data at lightning-fast speeds, ranging upwards to multiple megabytes per second.

Even though there are a variety of different options out there, DSL remains a popular method of delivery for services such as AT&T’s U-verse bundle, which is a great deal for those who are also looking for TV and phone. There are always promotions, but some are better than others–miss out on this AT&T U-verse coupon code and you could lose big.

4. Satellite

Sometimes getting broadband in rural areas can be easier said than done. For those who find themselves up against these issues, satellite is typically the best route to take. Satellite Internet can help to push signals to areas where fiber or cable services simply aren’t available, although it’s important to note that speeds tend to be far slower than those offered by DSL and cable. Satellite can also be rather expensive, but sometimes it’s the only option. Even if it’s not up there with the best delivery methods, it can mean the difference between having Internet access and not.

With so many types of broadband out there, it makes sense why people often have a hard time making a decision. For now, take a closer look at each of the above options, and work towards determining which one is right for you at the moment.

Broadband Features

Prominent features of broadband makes it unique from the other ISPs providers. So the term broadband is introduced which means high speed data transfer rate. The basic feature of broadband is to offer amazingly fast speed of internet connectivity with the ease of downloading large amount of data. Where there dial-up fails to work broadband comes to help you by fulfilling your demand. What is special feature about broadband? Basically broadband is the way of communication through internet, phone or satellite. Broadband is originally a broadcast system using frequencies at wide range to send a message whether short or long at high speed, used by fastest internet connection. Some of the broadband features are described here.

Broadband Connectivity

As the whole world become a global village, one reason of it being so is the broadband connectivity. Signals are sent through fiber optic glass cable in the shape of light. This light source has the ability to carry a huge amount of information (data) in a very short time period. It supports multiple signals after distributing the whole into multiple independent bandwidth channels.

Broadband Availability

Another very unique feature of this broadband connection is that it remains connected 24/7 hrs and still does not disrupt the telephone line. You can access the broadband through cable operators or direct through satellite. It depends on the type of broadband you are using. The important characteristic is that it only uses the ISP number of phone line without interrupting its own exercise.

Broadband Desired Bandwidth

We can increase and decrease the broadband bandwidth according to our need. For this you need to ask to your internet service provider. There are different packages on different rates you go for the one which suits you the most.

The Difference Between Mobile Broadband & Internet Enabled Phones

As more adults seek more mobility when using the Internet, the options for satisfying what they seek keep growing. A Pew Research study has shown that, as of May 2010, 40 percent of American adults use mobile devices such as Internet enabled phones to either browse the Internet or send email or instant messages, an 8 percent increase from 2009.

The Big Difference

Mobile broadband and Internet enabled phones give users plenty of options to access the Web. Between the two categories there’s one major difference: Internet enabled phones are cell phones that have the capacity to connect to a cellular company’s wireless Internet network, and mobile broadband refers to a number of devices, including notebooks, netbooks, USB modems and cellphones, that can connect to wireless Internet.

Advantages

The difference doesn’t make one category better than the other. They can’t really be compared, since an Internet enabled phone is actually a device within the mobile broadband category. But when someone speaks about mobile broadband, you know that the “mobile” isn’t referring to a mobile phone, but to numerous mobile devices that can connect to a wireless broadband network managed by a cellular provider.

Capacity

So, if someone says, “I have mobile broadband,” she may mean quite a bit more than simply a BlackBerry she uses to check her email. Verizon, for example, offers a mobile broadband service that can be accessed by a Verizon phone, USB modem, mobile hotspot device (which can spread Internet access to five other Internet-enabled devices), laptop or tablet. A user could own and use all of these on the same mobile broadband subscription. Other companies, too, offer similar service. For example, AT&T and T-Mobile provide access to their 4G mobile broadband networks via multiple devices.

Reversed Trend

Given this wide capacity and variety of devices, someone could become a subscriber to a cellular service offering mobile broadband without the intent to use a cellphone at all. In fact, instead of buying an Internet enabled phone to make calls and access the Web, she could buy a “phone enabled” notebook to do just that. With services like Skype and Google Voice that us voice over Internet protocol, we now see not just phones becoming mobile computers, but computers becoming mobile phones.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Broadband

Advantages of Broadband Internet Access:

1.   Connection speed is up to 100 times faster than dialup connection.  You can download pictures files, software in seconds or minutes instead of hours.  Online gaming is only possible using a broadband internet access.

2.   It does not affect the phone line.  For DSL internet access, you can use the same phone line for both voice/fax and data transmission.  For cable internet access, you are connected to the internet via the cable network.  In either case, your phone line is not occupied while you are connected to the internet.

3.   It is convenient because the internet connection is always on.

4.   You don’t need to dial an access number and risk getting a busy signal.

5.   Broadband internet offers unlimited access and you won’t be charged based on the connection duration.

6.   Broadband internet not only gives you high speed internet access, it can also provide cheap phone services via VoIP technology.

Disadvantages of Broadband Internet Access:

1.    High monthly fee compared to dialup internet access.

2.    Higher security risk than dialup connection.  A personal firewall is needed to protect your computer.

3.    Not all phone wires are equipped for DSL service.  May not be available in rural or remote areas.

4.    Not all cable TV networks are equipped for cable internet access.  May not be available in rural or remote areas.

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