About Broadband Broadband is a class of data communications methods. It's also the buzzword of the year in Internet connection circles. Newer, faster transmission methods use broadband transmission , where a single wire carries several signals at once. Cable TV, for example, uses broadband transmission, which is why you can use a cable modem and get TV and Internet access at the same time. And there are also wireless connections , perhaps the broadest band of all.
Cable modems are different from normal dialin modems.
Cable modems are always external, connected on one side to your TV cable and on the other side to an Ethernet card in your personal computer. This all sounds complicated, but your cable company will send a technician, or perhaps two, to your home. They will probably do most of the work of installing and setting up your cable modem and configuring your personal computer to use it. Cable modem transmission speeds vary. You may have seen higher speeds quoted, maybe a lot higher, and here's why.