Glossary of Broadband

Find out what all those technical terms actually mean. 

ADSL

An acronym for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. Describes a technology suitable for transporting high speed data over a telephone line. Asymmetric implies that the maximum rate of upload and download are different, with the download rate being greater.

Broadband

Broadband refers to a high speed connection to the internet. High speed typically means a rate of data download that is greater than that of a dial modem (64 kbps). 

Datastream

BT Wholesale offers datastream boradband to service providers. In this model, the ISP takes virtual paths to one or more local exchanges, giving the ISP more flexibility to create novel products for its customers. If you are considering a datastream service, check the number of exchanges in which the ISP can provide service.

IP Stream

In this model, broadband providers rent one or more 155 Mbps circuits from BT wholesale. These circuits interface directly with the BT managed network. Services available on IP Stream are limited to theose delivered to the ISPs by BT Wholesale.

IPTV

Internet Protocol Television is a technology that permits a digital television signal to be transmitted to a customer via a broadband connection. The signal is received and displayed typically by a set-top box or PC-based software.

LLU

See Local Loop Unbundling.

Local Loop Unbundling

Local Loop Unbundling is the process where the incumbent operator (BT or Kingston) makes its local network (the copper cables that run from customers' premises to the telephone exchange) available to other companies. Service providers are then able to upgrade individual lines using DSL technology to offer services such as always on high speed Internet access, direct to the customer.

Microfilter

Also known as a splitter, a microfilter is a device that splits an analogue telephone line into two independent services: a low frequency range (ca. 20Hz - 20kHz) used for voice and fax service, and a higher frequency range (30 kHz - 1 MHz) suited to high speed data transfer (DSL). Each main or extension socket must be fitted with a microfilter in order to prevent interference between the two frequency ranges.

Modem

A broadband modem provides a connection from a single PC to a broadband service, most typically via a USB port on the computer.

RADSL

Rate Adaptive Digital Subscriber Line. When a telephone line is at the noise limits for service, the modem can reduce the upstream bandwidth to allow for a wider downstream frequency band. This helps maintain download speeds in the case of line noise.

Router

A broadband router connects one or more PCs to a broadband service. The router converts data appearing on the DSL line into Ethernet packets. Each computer on such a network will require a wired or wireless network card (NIC). As well as providing connectivity, routers often act as DNS and DHCP servers and offer gateway and firewall services.

SDSL

Symmetric digital subscriber line. Similar to ADSL except that the maximum rates of data upload and download are the same. 

Splitter

See Microfilter.

VOIP

Voice Over Internet Protocol is a collection of hardware and software that allows voice calls to be transmitted over a (typically broadband) internet connection. Common applications that rely on VOIP include Skype, Vonage and internet messenger services.

WEP

An abbreviation for Wired Equivalent Privacy, WEP is a security protocol for wireless local area networks, whereby data is encrypted between the client computers and the router. Wired networks are more secure than wireless networks because they are physically protected from unauthorised access. Wireless networks transmitting data by radio are thus more vulnerable to eavesdropping.

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