A broadband modem connects a computer to the internet and other networked computers, sending and receiving large amounts of data over a wide range of frequencies. It replaces dial-up modems and can be internal or external, with asymmetric data transfer capabilities. ADSL and cable connections offer faster speeds.
A broadband modem is a device that connects a computer to both the Internet and other networked computers. Broadband modem gets its name from sending and receiving large amounts of data over a wide band of frequencies, usually over a fiber-optic cable or telephone line. This data is altered by the modem when it reaches your computer to become digital signals and converted back into frequencies when sent. Broadband modems replaced older and slower dial-up modem technology, which required the use of only one telephone line.
The computer modem, which is actually a combination of the words modulator and demodulator, is capable of modulating outgoing digital data into frequencies that can travel over telephone or cable lines and also demodulate the data into digital signals when it arrives from another source. Modems were originally only capable of very limited data rates, and dial-up modems, which used the same frequencies as a telephone line, peaked at 53,000 bits per second. Asymmetric digital subscriber lines (ADSL) and cable connections can offer much faster data transfer speeds by using the higher range of telephone line frequencies in the case of ADSL and fiber optics in the case of cable.
These methods of data transfer allow a wider range of frequencies to be used, thus creating more space for data to travel. For example, a T1 broadband line can achieve transfer speeds of up to 1,544,000 bits per second. Broadband is actually a relative term and can only be applied when comparing one method to another. For example, data transfer over a fiber-optic line may be considered broadband compared to a dial-up modem due to the wide range of frequencies it uses. There is currently no international standard that denotes how broad a frequency band must be before it can be called broad, although both fiber optic cable and ADSL fall into this category.
An important thing to note about any broadband modem is that the data transfer mechanism is asymmetric, meaning that the modem is capable of downloading information much faster than it can upload, usually in the area of ten times much. A broadband modem can be internal or external to your computer, and its size and placement do not affect its throughput capabilities. In addition, many devices such as cell phones and laptops are now able to connect to the Internet using a wireless broadband system that runs on the waves of the cell phone carrier. Most internet providers will offer a broadband modem as part of a starter package for a consumer and is usually available to rent or purchase.
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