The Internet plays a pivotal role in our lives. In fact, Internet has
become more of a necessity these days. Not only it is the most important
part of communications and work, but it is also the primary source of
information and news, like what’s happening around. The Internet is now
one of the most effective media that has already reached into all areas
of our society, from telecommunications to transportation, education to
healthcare, business to finance, among others. The Internet is a vast
treasure trove of information. This means you can look up for just about
anything or anyone you can think of on the Internet. You can find any
type of information on just any subject you want or anybody you want
with a few keystrokes. Your Internet is one of these three: cable, DSL
or fiber.
What is Broadband?
Data signals can be sent over a network in two ways: broadband and
baseband. Baseband signaling sends a single signal at any given instant,
whereas broadband signaling sends multiple signals on separate
frequencies. That being said, cable television is an example of a
broadband transmission. A single piece of coaxial cable carrying
multiple signals comes into your home and a small box enables you to
select specific channels. Broadband creates these separate channels
through a process called frequency division multiplexing.
The term broadband is widely used to refer to high speed Internet
access. Broadband provides users with always-on, high speed connections
to access the Internet and transfer data.
Unlike narrowband, broadband does not tie up a consumer’s phone line,
plus it enables access to high bandwidth applications, such as voice and
video calling, online video streaming, interacting gaming, and more.
What is Cable?
Cable Internet is a form of broadband Internet access that uses the
infrastructure of cable television network to provide Internet services
using the same coaxial cable network. The cable Internet provides
Internet access through the Internet Service Provider (ISP) to the end
user – the ISP sends a data signal through the coaxial cable into your
home, specifically to the modem, which then uses an Ethernet cable to
give you access to high speed Internet. Line splitters are used to
enable simultaneous use of data, television and voice. Although with
some networks, there is a separate voice line. The download speeds can
vary depending on the quality of the cable infrastructure. Like ADSL,
cable broadband delivers an always-on high speed Internet connection.
Cable Internet connection is still one of the fastest ways to travel the
Internet.
Difference between Broadband and Cable
Connection
Cable Internet is a type of connection that uses the infrastructure of
cable television network to provide Internet services using the same
coaxial cable network. Cable internet is generally faster than a DSL
connection, but there’s a catch; the bandwidth is shared with the
neighbors who are using the same cable line. The term broadband, on the
other hand, is widely used to refer to high speed Internet access.
Broadband refers to DSL, cable modem, fiber optics, satellite, wireless,
or any other connection that relate to Internet.
Availability
There are primarily two types of broadband technology: DSL and cable
internet. Not all types of broadband connection are available in all
areas. For example, DSL is mostly available in areas that are within a
set distance from their respective phone’s company central offices. You
won’t be able to get a DSL connection if you live too far. Similarly,
many rural areas do not have cable service, so dial-up might be an
option. But to achieve higher speeds, a satellite based broadband
connection is viable.
Installation
Digital cable is probably the easiest type of broadband to install and
set up because a cable service uses the same coaxial cable network as
the cable television to provide Internet connection into your home. In
most cases, you can plug in a cable modem yourself without any
assistance or need for a professional installation. Unlike narrowband,
broadband does not tie up a consumer’s phone line. Broadband requires
high-speed transmission capacity both to and from the home.
Speed
Broadband provides users with always-on, high speed connections to
access the Internet and transfer data. In fact, broadband is widely used
as a shorthand for high speed Internet access. It allows large amount
of information to be conveyed quickly. The fastest type of connection in
most areas is cable Internet. Some ISPs offer different plans based on
connection speeds at different prices – high speed plans may cost a
little higher or even double the price of the base plans. The fastest
broadband speed can go up to 1,000 Mbps (1 Gbps).
Summary of Broadband Vs. Cable
Cable Internet is a form of broadband Internet access that transmits
data through a cable television network that uses a coaxial cable
network to provide Internet services to your homes. While cable Internet
is generally faster than a conventional DSL connection, the bandwidth
is usually shared along with the neighbors who are using the same cable
line. And the best part; broadband does not tie up a consumer’s phone
line, allowing access to high bandwidth applications, such as voice and
video calling, online video streaming, interacting gaming, and more.