Most people in the United States opt for a cable internet connection. But not all of them know about how it works. If you are one of them there is no need to fret. This article is especially for you where you will get to know everything about a cable internet connection. So, let’s get right to it!
Cable Internet Jargon
To help you understand the cable internet service better, it is important for you to familiarize yourself with the related jargon.
1. Bandwidth
You must have heard this term a lot but do you know what it means? If not, then don’t worry! It is the capacity of your network to transfer data. You can think of your coax cable as a tube that transmits data just like a hose transfer water. This cable can easily transfer enough data for both the internet service and television. And of course, if you want to get high speeds, you will have to pay more to get extra bandwidth.
2. Modem
A modem is a really essential tool, usually shaped like a box that is used to receive the data transmitted by your ISP before it delivers the signals to your home. It can either be connected directly to your PC or to the router if you want to establish a Wi-Fi connection.
3. Ethernet Cable
An ethernet cable is what you use to connect the modem to either your PC or router. You can also use it to connect different devices directly to the internet.
4. Router
A router is a tool that is used to spread the direct signal of your modem into a Wi-Fi signal. Moreover, it can be used as an ethernet hub for different devices. You may not know this but the router and modem are sometimes sold as a single unit which is often referred to as a gateway.
5. Megabits Per Second (Mbps)
This term is frequently used for measuring the speed of the internet. This is how much data in megabits is transferred within one second. But now the era of gigabits or Gbps is slowly taking over. It is because cable internet has started to break into the gigabit download speeds. Keep in mind that 1 Gbps equals approximately 1,000 Mbps.
How Does A Cable Internet Connection Work?
Now, the first thing that might pop in your mind is how your cable internet connection will work. Well, firstly, you need to know that in order to deliver an internet connection to your home, the cable internet service will use the same coaxial cable network as cable television. Your ISP will transfer the data signal through that coaxial cable into your modem. But wait, that’s not all! You will now be using an ethernet cable to connect your modem with the PC. This is what will give you access to the internet. You can also use the ethernet cable to connect the modem with your router. Doing this will let you establish a Wi-Fi connection which you can use to get online via whichever device you like.
Another thing that you should know is that the cable internet service providers use coaxial cable to transmit data between servers. And as the television doesn’t take much of the cable’s bandwidth, the internet service can easily work within the same network. It’s also interesting to see how cable networks are stretched throughout the country. Plus, there are undersea cables that are used to support water-separated areas. A cable internet basically spread speeds evenly among different individuals. This also means that if you pay more than you will get more bandwidth, which means more speed!
How Much Speed to Expect from Cable Internet?
This question is what most people think of when they are thinking of subscribing to a cable internet provider. Well, the answer is that the speed varies. It can be as low as 1 Mbps or as high as 1,000 Mbps or 1 Gbps. It depends on how much speed you require. Most people usually go for 100 Mbps. However, do remember that the upload speed will not be the same as the download speed. It will usually range from 1 Mbps to 50 Mbps.
Conclusion
Although there are other forms of internet available such as fiber-optic, and satellite, most people usually tend to go for cable internet service. I too went for the same as I found Spectrum internet prices to be really attractive. Hopefully, this article would have helped you in getting a better understanding of the cable internet. You should pay heed to the jargon as it will not only help you while communicating with a customer representative of an ISP but will also aid you in setting up your internet connection.
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