Learn About High-Speed Internet

High-speed Internet, or broadband, was defined by the Federal Communications Commission in 2008 as any Internet connection speed with a data transfer rate equal or faster than 768 kbps. This is in contrast to slower dial-up modem speeds of 56 kbps.

But the demand for faster broadband access has resulted in high-speed Internet speeds of 1.5 to 20 Mbps which is 50 to 70 times the speed of dial-up. To the high-speed Internet user, this translates to faster connection speeds, faster Web page loading, and faster downloading of large Internet files. With the introduction of wideband Internet access -- which is becoming available in cities across the U.S -- download speeds can reach 50 to 60 Mbps and even faster.

High-Speed Internet through Fiber Optic Networks

High-speed Internet access is available through several different technologies. Cable Internet is delivered over an independent cable to the user's home or office and does not require use of a phone line.

Fiber-optic communications, the fastest-growing type of cable network, utilizes cable made of hundreds of optical fibers which transmits information through pulses of light. Considered a revolutionary development in the communications industry, many Internet service providers (ISPs) have opted to convert to fiber optic networks, replacing older copper wire technology which is more expensive and difficult to maintain over longer distances.

With DSL high-speed Internet, instead of using independent cables, subscribers install a second telephone line for access. Generally DSL does not provide access speeds as fast as cable Internet.

High-Speed Internet via Satellite and Wi-FI Technologies

Satellite high-speed Internet access is delivered via an orbiting satellite to a dish installed on the user's property. The signal travels approximately 44,000 miles from earth to the satellite and then back to earth again. Because of the distance involved with satellite, and the slight time-delay that may result, Internet users who want to use real-time applications -- such as MMO games -- may experience lag and connection difficulties.

Wi-Fi high-speed Internet utilizes high-power radio waves to bring wireless Internet access to users all across the country. Generally limited to public Wi-Fi hotspots found in coffee shops, hotels, airports, and some cities as a whole, or through wireless local area networks (WLANs) set up in homes or offices, users access the Internet with cord- and cable-free connections from their personal computers, laptops, smart phones, and game consoles.