| defines broadband as "pertaining to or denoting a | | | | category, but some ADSL and satellite |
| type of high-speed data transmission in which the | | | | connections would not. With fiber optic technology |
| bandwidth is shared by more than one | | | | on the rise it is possible that the speeds that are |
| simultaneous signal". While this is accurate it isn't | | | | considered broadband could change in the near |
| very helpful in understanding what the term | | | | future. |
| broadband means, or what broadband internet | | | | Communication class is another important point to |
| actually is. | | | | discuss when looking at the differences between |
| The term broadband internet is used very loosely, | | | | standard lines and broadband access. A POTS line, |
| and is often synonymous with high-speed internet, | | | | or plain old telephone service, can normally |
| cable internet, DSL, or satellite internet access. | | | | transfer analog data at 29.6kbps when it is being |
| While these terms are functionally the same in a | | | | utilized for voice traffic. This speed was fine for |
| very broad sense, the internet access industry | | | | voice transmission, but as internet usage began to |
| defines broadband in several ways. Broadband | | | | grow, faster speeds were in great demand. |
| internet access can be looked at by connection | | | | Compression protocol increased the POTS line to |
| speed and communication class. | | | | around 56kbps, but could not go any faster |
| Connection speeds at or above 200kbps are | | | | without additional hardware. |
| considered broadband by the Federal | | | | The higher communication class of a broadband |
| Communications Commission, however this | | | | connection utilizes more frequencies than a POTS |
| definition is outdated and many firms would not | | | | line, allowing for the faster transmission of data. In |
| consider anything below 1mbps broadband. Almost | | | | addition to these added frequencies, broadband |
| all high speed internet services offer speeds over | | | | internet such as a cable connection simply has |
| 1mbps, and even satellite internet access can beat | | | | more fiber. A coax is a larger line than a POTS |
| out 200kbps. Some definitions of broadband | | | | line and can carry more data faster. More fiber |
| require the connection to be "always on". This | | | | almost always means faster speeds. |
| would mean that cable would always fit into this | | | | |