What is broadband?

⊆ 8:46 AM by JM Graphics and Printers

There are many different takes on how to actually define the word: broadband. The first and most obvious way to define it is a transmission medium that allows for multiple pathways and types of data, far exceeding simple voice communication devices. Simply, put it is the ability to access a variety of data through one connection at a reasonable speed.

Where a phone line severely limits the amount of information it can transmit, a broadband line, which has bandwidth greater than 2 mbps, unlike a standard dial-up connection which will only have 56kbps, can allow for a variety of different frequencies and channels to travel down its wide pathway. This makes it optimal for those who play video games on the Internet or are involved in heavy graphics work that they need to import, send and receive along the information superhighway.

The minimum width of a broadband line has become a matter of debate. While initially, the broadband definition was a line that was greater than 2 mbps in width, other experts began asserting that it should be at least 3 mbps wide. Still others complain that at least 20 would be appropriate. But now, broadband services start as low as 1 mbps, for those who are trying out broadband for the first time. So who really knows what the minimum level of bandwidth is needed in order for it to be called broadband? One thing is certain though. DSL service which an range from 256 kbps capacity on the downstream and upstream side up to 1.5mbps, or even higher, is considered a broadband service as well. So are cable television modems, which have similar speeds. So, in reality anything with greater capacity than a narrow line, like a telephone line, which can only hold up to 64 kbps, is technically considered a broadband service.

Broadband services have become all the craze in the past few years. When the Internet started to become more mainstream in the 1990s people were content with simple dial-up Internet services, which used only narrow lines. But as the need for speed became important, especially as files and Web pages became more elaborate, requiring more computer storage space and memory, the need for larger bulks of information being able to be sent and received at a quicker pace became essential. Hence, we have the broadband revolution. Today, hardly anyone uses narrow band service, or dial-up. Broadband Internet access is the name of the game. And if you work in an office it is absolutely essential, as larger chunks of information are frequently sent to and from businesses on a regular basis. Simply put, if you don't have broadband today, you are probably a person who does not need the Internet for a living. With the number of telecommuting jobs available today, the need for broadband services is only likely to expand greatly.


How to get broadband

⊆ 8:44 AM by JM Graphics and Printers

Getting broadband services getting easy, but research still required

Broadband Internet services have become more the norm today, unlike the dial-up days of the late 1990s. With greater amounts of information needing to travel at faster and faster speeds over the Internet and the greater number of telecommuters every year, the need for broadband Internet has stretched beyond the board room and into the home office. So it is clearly more important than ever for everyone to know how to get broadband.

Getting broadband service, like, for example, DSL, is not difficult. There are many providers, and even many phone companies are getting into the game today as well. But finding a service provider, while not being very difficult, also requires a self-evaluation first. One must ask themselves before seeking out a broadband service provider, just what they'll be needing broadband service for.

For most people who work from home, they may only need reliable and speedy Internet access. They may need to transport documents, maybe some graphics to and from clients and employers. But they will likely not need to transmit video or graphics. But if they do need to transmit the latter, they may need to seek out higher bandwidth. But, again, if they are only sending documents that are not graphic intensive, a smaller bandwidth at a lower cost may be all they need, and then they can spend their savings on other aspects of their business or work.

After doing this necessary self assessment when looking at how to get broadband, it is important to check pricing on at least three broadband providers. Also, ask users of these providers about their experience. All of these broadband providers may boast the same thing, but the people who use their services are the true indicator of how they really perform.

After you match your needs with the best price and testimonial, the decision is yours whether you want to spring for a broadband provider. But chances are pretty good that even if you only spend a few dollars more a month for broadband, after awhile, you will wonder how you ever existed with dial-up service.


What is Broadband Phone?

⊆ 8:43 AM by JM Graphics and Printers

A broadband phone is one that makes phone calls over the Internet using the IP protocol. Several large broadband phone companies have come to the forefront in recent months offering the ability to make phone calls with a regular phone, that are routed over Internet Protocol using broadband Internet access. The most popular method of using voice over IP among the household users of this technology is connection to IP telephony via a digital adapter. This is the device that is connected between a broadband modem and a normal house phone to gain access to the broadband phone line. The digital adapter unscrambles the digital voice data that is received via the Internet and converts it to an analogue signal that can be heard and understood with regular non-digital phones.

Without a doubt, voice over IP is the future in telecommunications and long distance communication. Making phone calls over IP is much cheaper than either conventional phones or cellular communication. The technology is extremely efficient and it is very easy to implement due to the fact that it uses the infrastructure of the Internet, a communications structure that already exists.

As internet telephony and its surrounding technology become more and more refined over the coming years, so will the technology that gives us access to it. Even over the coming twelve months, we will see a change from the use of a digital adapter to convert digital data from the web into analogue. Instead, we will see an increase in the availability of digital telephones and USB phones that plug directly into a USB port and that can make and receive phone calls digitally. You will also notice other mediums produce products that will attempt to bridge the gap between old technology and new. While other companies will keep their eye on the digital future and come up with more advanced variations of voice over IP to take us into the future.


Broadband Internet for High Speed Download of images and dat

⊆ 8:42 AM by JM Graphics and Printers

Broadband Internet

What is Broadband Service?

Broadband refers to a connection that has capacity to transmit large amount of data at high speed. Presently a connection having download speeds of 256 kbps or more is classified as broadband. When connected to the Internet such a connection allows surfing or downloading much faster than a dial-up or any other narrowband connections.

What are the benefits of broadband

Fast downloads

At least 4.5 times and upto 140 times faster than dial-up connection

Always on connection

Telephone and Internet access can be used together

No telephone call charges

Cost effective way to access Internet

A host of free content on the web can be downloaded faster


What kind of PC do I need to run broadband

The following minimum is, however, recommended:

Processor 200 MHz (or better)

Operating System Windows 98SE (or higher)

RAM (memory) 32 MB RAM

Free Disk Space 125MB

SVGA monitor

CD-ROM Drive

Network Interface Card(NIC) with 10/100 Mbps Ethernet port with RJ45 socket