Generally, broadband refers to data transmission. Multiple pieces of data are sent simultaneously. This increases the effective rate, of transmission. In network engineering, this term is used when two or more signals share a medium.
Various forms, of Digital Subscriber Line service, are broadband. It is in the sense digital information is sent over one channel and voice over another channel. They share a single pair of wires.
Analog modems, operating at speeds greater than 600 bit/s, are technically broadband. They obtain higher effective transmission rates using multiple channels. The rate on each channel is limited to 600 baud. For example, a 2400 bit/s modem uses four 600 baud channels (see baud). This contrasts baseband transmission. Here, one type of signal uses a medium's full bandwidth, such as 100BASE-T Ethernet. broadband high speed internet comcast
Broadband multiplexing.
Communications utilize numerous distinct, physical channels simultaneously. This is multiplexing, for multiple access. Such channels are distinguished by
separation from other channels, in time (time division multiplexing or TDMA);
carrier frequency (frequency division multiplexing (FDMA) or wavelength division multiplexing (WDM)); or,
access method (code division multiplexing or CDMA).
Each channel, in such a multiplexing exercise, is narrowband. This is because it is not utilizing the full bandwidth of the medium. The whole set of channels, taken together and utilized for the same communication, are described as broadband. broadband high speed internet comcast
Confusion in usage.
Many lower rate forms of data transmission, such as analog modems above 600 bit/s, are broadband. However, broadband has been more closely associated with higher data rate forms, such as T-carrier and Digital Subscriber Lines. Therefore the word "broadband" has come to mean a relatively high rate. The term "narrowband" is used to mean a relatively low rate.
Now, it is common to hear a broadband method, such as a 9600 bit/s modem, described as "narrowband". A high rate narrowband method, such as 10BASE-T, is described as "broadband".
The International Telecommunication Union Standardization Sector (ITU-T) recommendation I.113 defines broadband as a transmission capacity faster than primary rate ISDN, at 1.5 to 2 Mbit/s. However, speeds of 256 kbit/s and greater are commonly marketed as "broadband". This convention is held by policy makers and ISPs alike.
Note: The term "narrowband" is used to mean the opposite of "wideband", instead of the opposite of "broadband". broadband high speed internet comcast