What is it?

Cable Internet is one of the two most common ways of going broadband. It can make your Internet access many times faster than with a conventional dialup modem. Cable Internet works over the same HFC networks that provide cable television service. In HFC (hybrid fiber-coax) networks, coax (TV cable) is used within neighborhoods, and optical fiber connects neighborhoods to central facilities.


How does it work?

Cable Internet works by using TV channel space for data transmission, with certain channels used for downstream transmission, and other channels for upstream transmission. Typically, there is considerably more capacity deployed for downstream transmission than for upstream transmission, which is why many cable Internet providers prohibit types of use that make heavy use of upstream capacity (e.g. servers). The shared nature of cable Internet makes everyone on a given segment (neighborhood) suffer if the capacity of that segment is overwhelmed.

Cable Internet is based on transmission between a subscriber cable Modem (which looks like a conventional dialup modem) and a CMTS (cable modem termination system), a relatively large headend box. The range of cable Internet is effectively unlimited, available at any location passed by an appropriate HFC network.

The same cable line that provides dozens of channels to your television can also send data back and forth between your personal computer and the Internet. This technology is referred to as broadband technology and transmits data at speeds up to 100 times faster than a standard 28.8 Kbps telephone modem. What this means for you is fast, 24 hours a day unlimited access, all for one low price.