Glossary - Broadband

The most commonly used broadband technology in the UK. ADSL allows you to receive broadband using the telephone network without affecting the home phone service. The normal telephone line is split so that broadband and phone can share the same connection. It is a permanent connection until you log off. The high speed modems enable you to transmit the data at much faster rate (up to 8 Mbps).

Also known as super-fast broadband, ADSL +2 is offered in places where local exchanges are unbundled. This technology can offer download speeds up to 24 Mbps using specially designed telephone wires

Software that protects your PC from malicious programs such as virus or spam carrying such malware.

It is the capacity of your broadband connection to send and receive the data. Higher the bandwith, faster the transmission of data. Bandwidth is measured in bits per second (bps).

Any form of high speed internet connection with a minimum bandwidth of 512 Kbps. This is ten times faster than dial up. Broadband can be accessed through phone lines, cable TV network, wireless, mobile and satellite technologies.

A type of broadband technology that uses wireless networks and aerials at the site of end users to provide broadband access.

A high speed modem that can send data at much faster rate using broadband networks. There are many types broadband modems depending on the technology used but basically all convert digtial signals to analog signals and vice versa.

A single package that offers more than one service that helps you to make big savings. There are combinations of broadband, home phone, digital TV and mobile services that come with bundles.

High speed internet access that is delivered using co-axial or fibre optic wires laid underground. To get cable broadband, you should have Virgin Media cable network in your area.

This indicates how many users are allowed to share the bandwidth on a broadband line. For example, when your connection is contended with 20:1 ratio, it means you could be sharing the bandwidth with maximum number of 19 other users.

DHCP stands for Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. In this network, each computer can use the data from the server.

Dial up or narrow band is the predecessor of broadband. Much slower than broadband, also prone to frequent disconnection and you need to reconnect everytime. Another drawback with dial-up is that you cannot use home phone during internet session.

Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM) in the local exchange gets all the individual connections and link them to the internet.

A type of IP address used in the network. Dynamic IP address changes every time you log on to the internet. Broadband providers offer you free dynamic IP address when you sign up.

Coding method that protects devices and networks from unauthorized access. Password and key are required to decrypt the code and access the encrypted data.

A type of technology to setup local area network (LAN) using cables and other hardware.

Hardware or software that protects your PC from unauthorized access by hackers, when you are connected to internet.

Areas where one or more wireless access points are installed to provide wireless broadband access to the users who have wi-fi enabled devices like laptops.

HSDPA is the acronym for High-speed Downlink Packet Access. This latest wireless broadband technology offers high speeds to the users via mobile phones or laptops. It is also known as 3.5G mobile technology.

A company that provides internet connnection, usually, a broadband connection. For example, BT, TalkTalk, PlusNet etc.

A kind of network for the use of a group, company or a web site. Usually requires authorization to access the network.

Internet Protocol (IP) address is a numeric code number assigned to the computers in a network like internet. There are two types of IP addressess – static and dynamic. Statiic IP address is permanent as against dynamic address which always changes everytime you connect to the internet.

Kilo bits per second or 1000 bits per second. This describes the speed at which data is transferred on internet. A dialup connection transfers data at a speed of 56 Kbps.

A process that allows the broadband providers to install their equipment in the local exchange and offer connectivity to their customers. This means customers need not pay line rental to BT and can get cheaper broadband. Unbundling of exchanges also helped ISPs to offer new services.

Migration Authorisation Code or MAC is a alpha-numerical code that you have to obtain your provider to move to another provider. Without MAC, you will have to cancel the existing service and move to new provider meaning you will be out of service for weeks.

Megabits per second or 1000 kilo bits per second. This describes the speed at which data is transferred on the internet. Standard broadband connection has a bandwidth of 1 Mbps.

Important component of ADSL connection. This should be plugged into BT phone socket so that your broadband service does not affect the voice calls.

Modulator de modulator. The device that is connected between your PC and internet. It converts analog signals into digital signals and vice versa. There are many types of modems depending on the broadband technologies.

Broadband type that uses GPRS networks and advanced 3G & HSDPA technologies to offer connectivity to the users who have compatible mobile handsets or laptops. Download speeds can be up to 7.2 Mbps depending on the signal strength.

Network Address Translation. Using NAT, you can use single IP address for multiple computers in a network. This feature also provides additional security.

A device that should be installed in your PC for getting internet access.

The Office of Communications (Ofcom) is an independent regulator of UK telecom industry. It helps the customers of telecommunication services, when their rights are threatened.

A measure of data transferred between the computers on the internet.

A kind of network which allows two or more computers share the information without a server. This contrasts against a client-server network that uses a central server to link all the computers.

A device that you should connect between the PC and the internet when multiple PCs share a single broadband connection. It directs the data flow between your networking and internet.

Broadband technology that uses satellites to give broadband to the users who will need dish to connect to the internet.

Symmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A kind of DSL broadband technology that offers the same speeds in either direction - upstream and downstream.

It is a permanent IP address assigned to the computer in a network. Required for web hosting, virtual private network (VPN) and for running email server.

Audio or video that you can listen or watch while it is being downloaded into your PC. This means your connection should be faster enough to handle streaming data.

This describes how much data you can download in a month and usually measured in gigabytes (GB). With a package of 2 GB monthly cap, you can download 410 music tracks (5MB per track).

A kind of network that uses security and encryption features between PCs in the network.

Wide Area Network. A large network of many local area networks (LAN).

It stands for Wired Equivalent Privacy. A wireless securty feature that uses encryption to protect wireless network from unauthorized access by hackers.

Stands for Wireless Fidelity. This wireless networking includes 802.11b and 802.11.g wireless networking standards. Wi-fi provides wireless broadband access to the users who have wi-fi enabled devices like laptops.

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access provides wireless broadband access over long distances using high frequency signals. Advanced version of Wi-fi technology.

Broadband type that signifies any technology that offers broadband access without wires.

Device like wireless router that offers wireless internet access and transfers data between computers that are connected to the internet.

Wireless local area network. A network of computers that use wireless connectivity.

Wi-Fi Protected Access. A wireless securty feature that uses encryption to protect wireless network from unauthorized access by hackers It provides better protection than WEP.

A technology that allows you to make and receive calls over the internet.VoIP is becoming a popular alternative to standard telephone service due to the cheap calls.