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