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Broadband
by: Neil Shevlin
Broadband is the name given to a high-speed Internet connection
that provide large bandwidth. It is a quick connection, typically
"always-on" and capable of transmitting data at
a much faster rate than a standard dialup modem connection.
Broadband also won't tie up your phone line, allowing
you to use the internet and telephone simultaneously. Broadband
can be provided from a dedicated line such as Cable or ISDN,
or over the top of your phone line such as ADSL.
Low-band Internet access is typically running up to 56kbps
using a dial-up modem. Mid-band Internet is a phrase given
to dialup that operates at 64kbps or 128kbps. Broadband starts
at 512kbps (approximately ten times faster than typical dialup)
and is also typically available at 1mbps, 1.5mbps and 2.2mbps.
Some companies offer broadband at 4mbps and 8mbps. The maximum
possible for cable is around 26mbps and 24mbps for ADSL although
these speeds are not sold commercially due to the high cost
required to upgrade telephone lines to be able to transmit
at this speed.
With broadband you can quickly download or stream music and
video. Many websites are designed especially for broadband
users with intense integrated graphics, flash and video. Another
popular use of broadband is online gaming. Xbox and PS2 consoles
include broadband support, by subscribing to gaming packages
from your ISP you can play Xbox and PS2 games live with other
people over the internet. Online PC gaming has been around
since the early days of the internet, but now with faster
speeds there is less lag (slow or jerky response from the
computer making it hard to play) and you are no longer keeping
an eye on the time as you play, making it much more popular.
Many recent games are released requiring an internet connection,
without them you simply cannot play.
With users so keen on downloading music and video most broadband
providers have introduced a maximum limit on the amount you
can download. This can be as low as 1 GB up to 30 GB for power
users, or unlimited for the extreme. Exceeding your ISP's
download cap will result in you having a limit connection
for the rest of the month or none at all.
The future of broadband is the possibility of Internet Television.
Currently there is not enough bandwidth (the amount of data
you can send and receive down the line) to give as good an
image as of a standard television. But with ever increasing
internet speeds Internet Television will soon be with us.
You can already legally download clips from your favourite
shows, music videos and other content you would normally find
on your television, just not in real time. Another use developed
because of broadband is online telephony. Software that enables
you to turn your computer into a telephone and talk to people
from across the world without any extra cost is not only commonplace
but of a higher quality recording than standard telephone
lines. It seems with ever increasing Internet speeds, Broadband
will be able to replace television, telephone and will soon
become a welcome addition to every home. Broadband is helping
the internet become an extensive resource that's easy
to access and fun to use.
About The Author
Neil Shevlin is the owner of UK Cheap Broadband which is
a great place to find broadband links, resources and articles.
For more information go to: UK Cheap Broadband www.ukcheapbroadband.
© Copyright 2005
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