What Is Bandwidth?
THE INTERNET AND THE WORLD WIDE WEB THE INTERNET WHAT
IS BANDWIDTH?

What Is Bandwidth?

Bandwidth is the amount of data that can be transmitted over a network in
a certain amount of time. Bandwidth is measured in Mbps (megabits per
second), Kbps (kilobits per second), or bps (bits per second). If the
bandwidth of a network is 1 Mbps, then 1 megabit of data can be transmitted
over that network in 1 second.

The actual rate of transfer of data will vary depending on the ISPs
equipment, the type of Internet connection, and the number of people using
the same connection at one time. You can use various types of technologies,
such as dial-up and cable modem, to connect to the Internet. Each
technology supports a different bandwidth. Sometimes you might connect to
the Internet by using more than one type of connection. For example, in
some airports, you can use a wireless connection to connect to a cable
modem. In this case, your connection speed is only as fast as the slower of
the connections. The following table describes the various types of
Internet connections. Scroll down to read each description.

_

Dial-up

Most dial-up connections offered today allow data transfer rates up to
56.6 Kbps.

[Dial-up]

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)

If you use a DSL connection_, you are always connected to the Internet.
A type of DSL connection is the _asymmetric digital subscriber line_ (ADSL)
connection. To use an ADSL connection, you must have a special ADSL modem.
The date transfer rate of DSL Internet connection is 384 kbps to 8 Mbps.

_

Cable modem

If you have a cable TV connection, you can get a high-speed Internet
connection from the cable TV provider. Using this type of connection, you
can be connected to the Internet at all times. This connection supports
data transfer rates of 4 Mbps.

[Cable modem]

T1

T1 lines_ provide a dedicated phone line connection to connect to the
Internet. T1 are a popular option for businesses today. This connection
supports data transfer rates of 1.544 Mbps.

[T1]

Wireless

You can connect to the Internet by using wireless technology. When you
connect to the Internet by using wireless technology, it further connects
to wired connections such as a cable modem. Although you may connect to a
high-speed cable connection, this wireless connection might not provide you
the full data transfer rates of the wired connection. The data transfer
rates of wireless Internet connections can range from 11 Mbps to 45 Mbps.
Some wireless connections support a bandwidth of several gigabits per
second (Gbps).
[Wireless]