How does broadband work?

Broadband is a technology that transmits data at high-speeds along cables, ISDN and DSLs (Digital Subscriber Lines) giving users a faster connection to the internet than possible via old-fashioned dial-up.

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

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, this way all the cars can get through more effectively and 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, like it is with dial-up, so you can access the internet any time.

How does Cable Broadband work?

Cable broadband is a service only currently provided Virgin Media and it is currently only available in some urban areas. The internet data comes to you through an underground network of cables, and it is because of the limitations of this network that the service is not yet available 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 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. In 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.