What is a Broadband Connection?
You’ve heard the term, but what does it actually mean?
Listen, sometimes it’s okay to accept defeat and admit you actually have nae clue what we’re on about. But that’s why we’re here to give you a wee helping hand. With BrawBand, you’ll become an expert on all things broadband, which may even come in handy at your local pub quiz.
Broadband: the internet’s super-motorway
Think of it as the road that connects your home to the vast world of the web. But instead of taking a leisurely Sunday drive, broadband is all about speed. Whether you’re streaming your favourite shows, video calling your gran, or playing online games, broadband makes sure it all happens fast and smoothly.
What’s so “broad” about broadband?
It’s all in the name! Unlike the old dial-up connections (Remember those? If you do, we won’t ask your age), broadband can carry a much wider range of data at once. It’s like upgrading from a single-track road to a multi-lane motorway – more lanes mean more room for all your internet traffic, and that means faster, more reliable access. However, it doesn’t mean more shouting at people who don’t know how to drive.
Different types of broadband
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line): ADSL is the old school of broadband. It uses your telephone line to deliver internet, but it’s not the fastest option out there. It’s set to be retired by the end of 2025.
FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet): FTTC is a step up, using fibre optic cables to get the internet from the exchange to the green cabinet on your street, and then good old copper wires from there to your home.
FTTH (Fibre to the Home): Now we’re talking – this is what we use at BrawBand! With FTTH, the fibre optic cable comes all the way to your front door – no copper, no slowing down. It’s like
having a private motorway straight to your house, where every lane is dedicated to delivering top-speed internet. FTTH puts the Braw in BrawBand.
How does broadband get to my home?
Your broadband connection starts at your internet service provider (that’s us!). We send the internet signal down the fibre optic cables (or, if you’re on an older service with someone else, through the phone lines). Your modem receives the signal, and your router spreads it around your home like butter on a hot roll, delivering Wi-Fi to all your devices. Simples!
So, what is a broadband connection? It’s your gateway to the internet, your key to staying connected, and your best friend on a rainy Scottish night when all you want to do is cosy up with a good programme.
