Broadband Guide 101
Broadband, originally known as broadband internet access, is a Internet connection system with very high data-transmission rate. Broadband integrates two of the most popular technologies – cable modem and DSL. With these technologies, the Internet connection could transmit all types of data at a rate faster than 56 kilobits per second (the speed of a traditional dial-up modem). The popularity of broadband internet access dramatically increased in various countries all over the world from the beginning of this century. The speed at which this kind of Internet access performs has earned it the name “high-speed Internet”. Commercial broadband Internet usually operates at 256 kilobit per second, which is the most common speed for connections advertised worldwide. However, since there is no standard bitrate defined by the telecommunication industry for the speed of Broadband, a much lower bitrate of transmission could also be defined as Broadband. Such transmissions are called “narrowband”. Unknowingly, some users are provide such narrowband connections in name of Broadband connection, resulting in their disappointment about the promised Internet speed of their connections. The Technology Behind Broadband Internet Access Some Internet service providers offer multi-linking technologies that performs by doubling the speed of dial-up modems. For achieving this, people who wish to subscribe with this feature need to have two dial-up accounts, two telephone lines, two modems and the ISP provider for multilinking. This kind of technology was used way before DSL, broadband and other higher-speed connections became available. Today the standard technologies used for broadband in many areas are cable modems and DSL. However, new technologies, such as optical fiber and VDSL are now offering broadband users Internet connections with much higher speeds. Although fiber-optic internet services are used recently, the technology had played an important role in allowing consumers to access broadband Internet using a more cost-effective solution even over larger distances. The greatest challenge of broadband is to offer the service to customers in every corner of the world. Setting up the broadband Internet access in a particular area needs thousands of dollars for equipment alone, making it unprofitable for service providers to organize and offer such broadband services in remote or sparsely populated areas, where the number of broadband users are limited. Although some local Internet providers offer these solutions in such areas, they have many limitations and drawbacks. The most common problem among Internet providers in such locations is that their company usually depends on the performance of local telephone companies for the functioning of their broadband, often making it unreliable. In some places that have no access to DSL or cable Internet, Wi-Fi networks serve Internet needs. In some countries, high-speed mobile Internet access, such as HSDPA, EV-DO and stationary-broadband WiMax are being used. In today’s modern world, where businesses as well as individuals, rely on the Internet for daily communications and worldwide access, broadband and other high-speed technologies offer consumers and businesses a convenient way to connect to the Internet.
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