Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: KoRn
I think the technical definition of Broadband is having the ability to transmit and receive data simultaneously.

While there certainly is a book definition somewhere, one size does not fit all. Half/Full Duplex only uses one channel so that anolgy falls apart some. As an example I signed onto Fidonet in 1984 using a 300 Baud Full duplex modem. Wouldn't call that Broadband would ya?

I think the full definition of Broadband should be that you have two channels, able to send and receive simultaneously data/voice/video/whatever at a specific rate. The issue we're having here is what is that Rate Number? The FCC calls it 200kbps. ISDN BRI is 128kbps. Ergo, not Broadband.

When the shop I was working for installed ISDN BRI in 1996, we thought it was Broadband, by today's standards, it's not. In fact, as we move forward, the number is going to get higher. As for just surfing the Internet, right now, a 256kbps connection is just barely enough for my Definition. Others push the number much higher. It's a fluid definition because content gets richer, mpgs get bigger, and what works today, might not be all that useful 10 years from now. Right now, far as I know, only the FCC has defined the speed as 200kbps. When some other authoratative body weighs in all calls a number we might get a clearer definition.

196 posted on 12/13/2004 1:10:50 PM PST by Malsua
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 195 | View Replies ]


To: Malsua
I think really broadband is now just a general term used by the public to refer to high speed Internet access from home. As far as most people are concerned it really has no technical definition. Of course, I'm referring to people who think that you can't surf the net without AOL or Yahoo lol.
197 posted on 12/13/2004 1:18:31 PM PST by KoRn
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 196 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson