Broadband
DCN: New Internet Applications References
Broadband
The term broadband refers to the bandwidth and speed of connectivity access to the Internet and other networked digital applications. Anything faster than a dialup modem connection over a copper phone line, is generically termed ‘broadband’. ‘Narrowband’ dialup and faster DSL access connections generally use existing phone lines. Cable services are provided over larger coaxial cables, and there is increasing use over fiber optic lines. Satellite services require a dish antenna, to receive signals from communication satellite systems in Earth orbit.
Comparison of Common Access Speeds (Includes Range Estimates)
kpbs = kilobits per second; mbps = megabits per second
Downstream: speed of data flowing from the Internet to the user’s computer.
Upstream: speed of data flowing from the user’s computer to the Internet.
Companies offer tiers of bandwidth speed at varying prices, with faster speeds at a higher tier being more expensive.
Dial-up |
|
56 kbps or less |
DSL |
Downstream Upstream
|
384 kbps to 6 mbps 128 kbps to 600 kbps |
Satellite Internet |
Downstream Upstream
|
512 kbps to 1.5 mbps 128 kbps to 256 kbps |
Cable Broadband |
Downstream Upstream
|
4 mbps to 8 mbps 384 kbps to 768 kbps |
Optical Fiber |
Downstream Upstream |
5 mbps to 30 mbps 2 mbps to 5 mbps |
References
Broadband Internet Access topic in Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadband_internet_access
Digital Subscriber Line topic in Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DSL
Cable Modem topic in Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cable_Modem
Satellite Internet access topic in Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satellite_internet
Fiber to the Premises topic in Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FTTH
Federal Communication Commission (FCC). Strategic Goals. Broadband. http://www.fcc.gov/broadband/
Benton Foundation Website. A Broadband World: The Promise of Advanced Services. http://www.benton.org/publibrary/broadband/broadband-world.html