What Is Broadband Internet And Why Do I Need It?
Want to get more out of your home internet?
Everyone wants to stay connected with the fastest possible speeds. Whether you're working remotely or streaming media, you likely care about your download speed. And if you've ever tried to shop online or send an email while also streaming a TV show in the background, you likely have experienced a situation where broadband internet could have helped.
Optimum Internet can help get you connected with faster download and upload speeds. But before you commit, go ahead and learn more about broadband internet - and you'll be wiser about just how fast our 8 Gig internet is compared to what the other guys offer.
What is broadband internet?
Broadband internet is a type of high-speed internet connection that provides fast and reliable data transmission. How fast is "high-speed"? The FCC defines broadband as a connection with download speeds of at least 25 Mbps and upload speeds of at least 3 Mbps.
Unlike older dial-up connections, broadband allows for simultaneous voice and data communication, making it possible to browse the web, stream videos, and do things online with unprecedented speed and efficiency.
There are four key benefits to broadband internet:
Broadband internet is fast. Broadband internet is fast, letting you browse, stream, and game with ease.
Broadband internet stays on. You don't have to constantly reconnect since broadband is always on, making it effortless and easy to keep your stuff running.
Broadband internet can multitask. Connect multiple devices at the same time without headaches or delays.
Broadband can handle high demand. Whether you're streaming in high definition or video conferencing with a dozen coworkers, broadband can keep you connected.
What types of broadband internet connections are there?
As its name says, "broadband" uses a range of frequencies to send data over a network. This technology allows multiple signals from several devices to be transmitted at once, boosting both the speed and capacity of data transfers.
Carriers like Optimum have to follow strict FCC guidelines about the speeds offered as part of broadband internet. Over time, technology has evolved to reach faster download and upload capacities.
DSL: Using telephone lines to transmit digital data, DSL offers faster speeds than traditional dial-up connections - although broadband has continued to evolve past DSL into other forms that offer higher, more reliable performance. DSL download speeds tend to average somewhere around 1 to 7 Mbps.
Cable: Cable broadband works on the same type of connection cable television, delivering high-speed internet through coaxial cables. Cable remains widely available and reliably fast, which is why so many people keep choosing it. Cable internet download speeds tend to range between 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
Fiber-optic: Reaching faster speeds, fiber-optic internet uses thin strands of glass or plastic to transmit data as pulses of light. Fiber-optic internet download speeds start at 25 to 100 Mbps, but varies by provider. Optimum offers a superfast 8 Gig Fiber Internet (8 Gbps), which is 60% faster than Frontier and 4x faster than Verizon in the New York Tri-state area.
Satellite: Satellite broadband connects users to the internet via satellite signals. In the off-chance that your area does not have other broadband options — which mainly happens in extremely rural areas — satellite may be worth exploring. You will need to factor in local weather patterns with this choice, as cloud cover and other conditions can interfere with the strength of satellite signal transmission.
Wireless: This form of broadband, often associated with mobile networks, allows users to access the internet without physical cables through technologies like Wi-Fi or 4G/5G.
Ready to level up broadband access in your home? Sign up for Optimum's 8 Gig Fiber Internet, which allows everyone in your household to simultaneously stream HD videos, game, host video conferences, and transfer large files - no need to kick anyone off the network, ever.
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