What is Broadband?

Pete CodellaBroadband

The term broadband commonly refers to high-speed Internet access that is always on and faster than the traditional dial-up access to the Internet.

It includes any type of transmission technique that carries multiple voice, video, or data channels simultaneously; wired or wireless. It is a large pipeline (much bigger than for a dial-up connection) that brings information to your home, institution, or business. In regard to Utah’s Broadband Project, broadband generally refers to high-speed Internet access using any transmission technique.

For more useful information about broadband technology, get the FCC’s handy brochure, “What, Why and How.”

How is broadband different from a dial-up service?

  • Broadband service provides a higher-speed of data transmission. It allows more content to be carried through the transmission “pipeline.”
  • Broadband provides access to the highest quality Internet services: streaming media, VoIP (Internet phone), gaming, and interactive services. Many of these current and newly developing services require the transfer of large amounts of data that may not be technically feasible with dial-up service. Therefore, broadband service may be increasingly necessary to access the full range of services and opportunities that the Internet can offer.
  • Broadband is always on. It does not block phone lines and there is no need to reconnect to the network after logging off.
  • There is less delay in transmission of content when using broadband.