Learn About Cable

Cable service is a communications system that provides television, high-speed Internet, and digital voice services to consumers world-wide via coaxial cables or fixed optical fibers. Cable television has all but replaced over-the-air signals that require a set-top or roof-top antenna in most major U.S. cities.

How Does Cable Television Work?

In the case of cable television, cable companies are equipped with land satellites that receive radio frequency signals (in the form of television broadcasts) from a satellite orbiting some 22,000 miles above the earth's surface. After the signals are received by the cable company's land satellites, they transmit them - along with additional local television station signals - through a network of underground cables that reach the consumer's home or office.

Cable Television Provides High-Quality Picture and Sound

When you subscribe to cable TV service, your cable provider will connect you to its network with a coaxial cable that reaches your television through a wall outlet. Newer cable-ready televisions can receive cable TV without any additional hardware. If you have an older television set, your cable company will provide you with a converter box that will enable your set to receive the signals. Television signals transmitted via cables provide higher quality picture and sound than traditional over-the-air transmissions.

Cable High-Speed Internet and Digital Voice

Bandwidth is the capacity of a cable network to transmit digital data. Cable providers' coaxial cables not only carry very large amounts of data but can also be used for bi-directional carriage of other kinds of signals such as high-speed Internet and digital phone. This is how cable providers are able to offer all three types of services to their subscribers.

In order to receive high-speed Internet, cable subscribers are equipped with a cable modem to convert the network data into signals that can be received through your computer. Digital voice services are transmitted through the broadband network or via the Internet with VoIP (voice over Internet protocol).

Combining Cable TV Audio, Video, and Data Services

A clear advantage of cable service is the ability to combine your broadband services through a single provider. Cable customers who bundle all of their services can enjoy the convenience of one monthly bill and dealing with just one company. Plus most cable companies offer money-saving plans for subscribers who bundle their services.