How does broadband work?

Broadband is a technology that transmits data at high-speed along cables, ISDN and DSLs (Digital Subscriber Lines) and mobile phone networks, and which provides a faster connection to the internet than possible via old-fashioned dial-up.

The term broadband refers to a signaling method that includes a wide range of frequencies which may be divided into channels. Broadband is most often in the form of ADSL (carried along phone lines), though cable is also common, as is mobile broadband, which uses mobile phone networks to transmit data.

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Broadband developed out of a need for a greater amount of information to be transmitted across the internet. If you imagine a narrow motorway tunnel with hundreds of cars attempting to pass through at rush hour you immediately think: traffic jam!

The best solution to this is to widen the tunnel by adding extra lanes, so that all the cars can get through more efficiently. And it is on this basic principle that broadband is based. If you want to find out more take a look at our ‘What is Broadband?’ page.

How does ADSL Broadband work?

ADSL broadband comes from your local telephone exchange, owned by BT, through a Fixed Line Access Network made out of copper wires. These are the telephone lines which you see in the street.

You have a telephone line directly linked up to your house, through which you connect to the internet by using a modem attached to a telephone point indoors. At this point there is also a piece of equipment called a microfilter which separates out your telephone line from your broadband. This is how you can connect to the internet and make a phone call at the same time.

The information that you initially receive in your home is a series of digital signals which come through your modem and are decoded and recoded into usable information. Using this information your computer lets you view your favourite websites and check your e-mails. And because broadband works on an always-on basis, the connection is never switched off, as is the case with dial-up. Thus, you can access the internet any time you like.

How does Cable Broadband work?

Cable broadband is a service only currently provided by Virgin Media and at the time of writing was on offer to around 12.6 million homes across the UK.

Unlike the copper wires of an ADSL connection, the cables are partially made of fibre-optic material. The reason why you can attain much faster broadband speeds on cable is that the material allows for far less signal degradation.

The other advantage of cable is that it also allows for the transmission of audio and visual signals, which means you can get your landline and digital TV services from your cable broadband provider.

How does Mobile Broadband work?

Mobile broadband uses 3G mobile phone network technology. 3G is made possible by two complementary technologies, HSDPA and HSUPA (high speed download and upload packet access, respectively).

How does Wireless Broadband work?

The difference between a wireless router and an Ethernet or USB modem is that instead of connecting up to the device through a tangle of wires, your computer picks up on transmitted signals. During this process, the internet data which the device receives is converted into a radio signal which is then received by a Wi-fi adapter inside your computer.

Now that you know how they work, why not use our postcode checker to compare broadband packages that are available in your area.