Broadband Internet access, which most often shortened to just "broadband", is high-speed Internet access contrasted with dial-up access over a modem. Dial-up modems are usually capable of only a maximum bitrate of 56 kbit/s and require the full use of a telephone line; while at the same time broadband technologies supply at least twice this speed without disrupting telephone usage.

Even though various minimum speeds have been used in definitions of broadband, ranging up from 64 kbit/s up to 1.0 Mbit/s, the OCED report is typical in counting only download speeds equal to or faster than 256 kbit/s as broadband. Speeds are defined in terms of maximum download as several common consumers broadband technologies such as ADSL are "asymmetric", supporting much slower maximum upload speeds than download.

Broadband internet is sometimes called high-speed Internet, as it usually has a high rate of data transmission. Generally, any connection to the customer of 256 kbit/s (0.256 Mbit/s) or more is considered as broadband Internet. As per the International Telecommunication Union Standardisation Sector recommendation I.113, broadband is defined as a transmission capacity which is faster than primary rate ISDN, at 1.5 to 2 Mbit/s.

Practically, the advertised bandwidth is not always readily available to the customer; ISPs generally allow a greater number of subscribers than the backbone connection can handle, under the assumption that most users will not be using their full connection capacity very frequently.

This aggregation strategy works in a way making the users typically burst to the full bandwidth most of the time. As there is an increase in the bandwidth delivered to end users, the market expects that the video on demand services streamed over the Internet will become more popular, though at the present time such services generally require specialized networks.

Raina Kelsey is an expert author, and writes about latest gadgets.
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DSL or Digital Subscriber Line is a type of broadband Internet connection. This type of broadband Internet requires you to have a phone line. Unlike dial up, you can actually use the phone while you are connected to the internet.

What are the benefits of a DSL Internet connection? DSL allows you to have faster internet connection than a dial up. It can offer faster access to information, faster downloads and much more.

Here are some of the benefits you can get from a broadband DSL Internet service.

Unlike dial ups, DSL allows a subscriber to make and receive phone calls while having an active internet connection. Dial up internet does not allow this, if someone calls you, your phone line will be busy. A DSL line also keeps your computer online as long as your computer is turned on.

With DSL you can talk to your friends, family or business associates with a web cam in real time. You can easily connect a microphone, web cam on your computer, and start using these accessories right away. This may be possible in some dial up, but since it has low speed, the data sent and received will usually be delayed or choppy.

Since you can actually use your voice in the internet in real time, you no longer need to call families and friends using expensive long distance calls from your traditional phone.

DSL also enables you to use VoIP technology. This technology virtually replaces your traditional phone with the internet. VoIP has free features your traditional phone company consider as additional features and chargeable.

Video Conferencing
Caller ID
Call Forwarding
Call Transfer
Call Waiting
Ringtones
Voice Mails
Free Long Distance Calls

These are just examples that VoIP offers and a lot more features are available.

Since you can conduct video conferencing, you no longer have to travel to meet with your business associates, therefore, saving you from travel expenses.

Another benefit from DSL internet is that you can play audio and video streams in the internet smoothly and without interruptions. You can now play your favorite internet radio stations while you surf the web or play your favorite music videos in the internet.

Playing online games that requires high-speed internet is now possible with the DSL internet. You can use your own PC or gaming consoles such as the PS2 or Xbox to play with other people from around the world and create an online community with adventure games.

Students can also improve their studies by using the DSL connection. Since DSL provides high-speed internet connection, students can now research more webpage that are required for their studies.

In dial ups, low speed internet connection restricts a students research to just a few webpage. This is because in dial up, loading webpage is too slow that a student will just stick to one or two websites to save time and money to do their research.

Online businesses can update their websites much faster in DSL than in dial up. Updating website for online businesses is crucial to inform their customers about the products they are selling.

Today, there are many DSL service providers in the market; choosing one is up to you. Research about the companies that provides this service before you buy their service and you can be sure about the quality of the DSL connection.

Ask your friends and family first who have this technology in their homes or businesses can also help you choose which DSL provider you want to work with.

Bob Hett has extensively covered the Internet Service Provider industry as an analyst and has researched the various companies for factors based on price, reliability, support and overall quality. Learn more at DSL Internet Service