Broadband

The term Broadband is generally accepted to mean Fast digital access to the Internet.
A fuller description is as follows:
In the strictest sense of the term broadband is the ability to receive many channels through the same connection, as opposed to baseband receiving a single channel.
In terms of the Internet broadband connection this is defined as a connection able to send and receive data at rates in excess of 256k.
How broadband works...
There are various types of broadband connection available. Here we will concentrate on how the two popular ones work: ADSL and Cable .

How ADSL works
ADSL uses your current telephone line, which must be a BT line. This means that you do not need to have a special line installed for the broadband connection, you can still use the phone line for whatever you did before, including voice, fax, or modem, you just get the additional service of ADSL delivered on the same wire.
ADSL technology combines voice and digital signals on the same phone line using the same wires. The way it achieves this is to send the digital data at frequencies that are not used in normal voice transmissions. To achieve this there needs to be special splitters installed at both the telephone exchange and your computer. To isolate the Voice (analog) and Digital signals.
At the exchange a DSLAM (DSL Access Multiplexor) needs to be installed. This is similar to a network hub where a number of incoming lines are combined into a single line which is then connected into the main BT network infrastructure, and ultimately the Internet. There is also a Mini DSLAM being trialed these have a smaller number of ports (lines) allowing exchanges in rural areas to be converted cost effectively.
At your premises you need to split the signal into voice and data this is done using a special filter which splits the digital information from the voice information. This is referred to as a MicroFilter. you then need an ADSL modem and then you are all ready to go.

How Cable Works
The implementation of cable broadband is the inverse of the ADSL implementation. For ADSL the delivery method is over an analogue line whereas for cable the delivery is over a digital line. Therefore when cable companies offer telephone services they have to convert from digital to analogue.
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 more capacity allowed 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 like web servers.
The final connection to your PC may be that of a RJ45 network cable.

VOIP

If you've never heard of VoIP, get ready to change the way you think about long-distance phone calls. VoIP, or Voice over Internet Protocol, is a method for taking analog audio signals, like the kind you hear when you talk on the phone, and turning them into digital data that can be transmitted over the Internet.How is this useful? VoIP can turn a standard Internet connection into a way to place free phone calls. The practical upshot of this is that by using some of the free VoIP software that is available to make Internet phone calls, you are bypassing the phone company (and its charges) entirely.This person is using a computer to talk to a friend in another state.VoIP is a revolutionary technology that has the potential to completely rework the world's phone systems. VoIP providers like Vonage have already been around for a little while and are growing steadily. Major carriers like AT&T are already setting up VoIP calling plans in several markets around the United States, and the FCC is looking seriously at the potential ramifications of VoIP service.Above all else, VoIP is basically a clever "reinvention of the wheel." In this article, HowStuffWorks will show you the principles behind VoIP, its applications and the potential of this emerging technology, which will more than likely one day replace the traditional phone system entirely. CallingThe interesting thing about VoIP is that there is not just one way to place a call. There are three different "flavors" of VoIP service in common use today:ATA - The simplest and most common way is through the use of a device called an ATA (analog telephone adaptor). The ATA allows you to connect a standard phone to your computer or your Internet connection for use with VoIP. The ATA is an analog-to-digital converter. It takes the analog signal from your traditional phone and converts it into digital data for transmission over the Internet. Providers like Vonage and AT&T CallVantage are bundling ATAs free with their service. You simply crack the ATA out of the box, plug the cable from your phone that would normally go in the wall socket into the ATA, and you're ready to make VoIP calls. Some ATAs may ship with additional software that is loaded onto the host computer to configure it; but in any case, it is a very straightforward setup.IP Phones - These specialized phones look just like normal phones with a handset, cradle and buttons. But instead of having the standard RJ-11 phone connectors, IP phones have an RJ-45 Ethernet connector. IP phones connect directly to your router and have all the hardware and software necessary right onboard to handle the IP call. Soon, Wi-Fi IP phones will be available, allowing subscribing callers to make VoIP calls from any Wi-Fi hot spot.Computer-to-computer - This is certainly the easiest way to use VoIP. You don't even have to pay for long-distance calls. There are several companies offering free or very low-cost software that you can use for this type of VoIP. All you need is the software, a microphone, speakers, a sound card and an Internet connection, preferably a fast one like you would get through a cable or DSL modem. Except for your normal monthly ISP fee, there is usually no charge for computer-to-computer calls, no matter the distance.

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