[Alouette]

many of its best researchers are simply bright, hard-nosed civilians with a modem and a large library.

I have broadband.

[Republic]

Well---it is obvious, then, that he should have included the words high tech, or cutting edge, at the very least! :^)

[sourcery]

I have broadband.

Which requires a broadband modem. It's that device with blinking lights connected to your computer via an ethernet cable.