What Is a Broadband Internet Connection?

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) uses the same copper telephone lines used for land line phone service, but is considerably faster than dial-up service. While dial-up usually offers less than 60 kbps, DSL service can range from several hundred to millions of bits per second. The speed available with a DSL connection will depend upon the proximity to a switching station. Those close to these facilities will enjoy a higher speed connection. Although DSL does use the same wires as a land line telephone, telephone service is not affected by using DSL.

A fiber optic broadband service uses fiber optic cable to transmit data. The good news is that a great deal more information can be transferred through this type of cable than through traditional copper wire. The bad news is that fiber optic cable is not already running out to the vast majority of homes like copper is. Availability of fiber optics-based broadband is limited but growing (as of June 2011).

Many cable customers use cable for broadband access, sending and receiving data through the same coaxial cables that deliver cable television. Cable customers will still be able to watch cable while using the Internet, just as DSL customers can make phone calls and surf the Web simultaneously. Speeds are typically 1.5 Mbps or higher, but connection speed will depend on demand. Speeds will be reduced when usage is high, such as in the early evening.

Satellite broadband is not as fast as cable, DSL or fiber optic lines. It is, however, available to customers in rural areas where the faster broadband options are not available. Other types of broadband are faster and cheaper, but customers in remote areas often do not have access to these other options.