The Probert Encyclopaedia of Science & Technology

BROADBAND

Broadband is a generic term for non-dial-up modem internet access. The term confusingly includes aDSL, DSL and cable connections. Broadband connections are often asynchronous - the rate of sending data is not the same as the rate at which data is received - and sometimes suffer from 'contention' where multiple subscribers share a physical connection, the available data transfer being shared equally between the connected users. Contention occurs throughout the Internet, but can be particularly noticeable on DSL type broadband connections where additional contention occurs closer to the user.
Research Broadband