ADSL
Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line. A form of broadband. Asymmetric means that the upload speed is different to the download speed. ADSL uses the existing telephone line and converts it into a high speed internet line. All broadband providers in the UK, except NTL and Telewest, use ADSL.
Broadband
Broadband is the standard in high speed internet, transfering files between computers at a very fast rate.
BT Wholesale
The wholesale arm of the BT Group. BT Wholesale provides the broadband network to broadband providers.
Cable
A form of broadband. A dedicated cable provides broadband access. Virgin Media is the UK's two main cable provider.
Cap
The maximum amount that you can download per month. Usually measured in GB (Gigabytes).
Contention Ratio
The maximum number of households that will share a broadband connection with you. A contention ratio of 50:1 means that 50 households may share a broadband line at the same time. The lower the contention ratio the better. Most residental packages offer a 50:1 contenton ratio. Most business packages offer 20:1.
Data Stream
A type of ADSL that is sold by BT Wholesale to a broadband provider. The broadband provider installs their own equipment into part of the BT network, therefore giving more control to the broadband provider.
Download Speed
The amount of information that can be downloaded from the internet per second.
Gigabyte (GB)
A unit of information. 1 Gigabyte equals 1,024 Megabytes.
IP Stream
A type of ADSL that is sold by BT Wholesale to a broadband provider. BT retains control of the entire network.
ISP
Internet Service Provider. The company that will provide you with your broadband service. Otherwise known as a broadband provider.
Kilobyte (kB)
A unit of information. 1 kilobyte (kB) equals 1,024 bytes.
LLU
Local Loop Unbundling. BT allows other broadband providers to install equipment into the local BT exchange and to control the line that runs from the exchange to the customers house. The broadband provider gains much more control over the network and can offer faster speeds and lower prices.
Megabyte (Mb)
A unit of information. 1 Megabyte equals 1,024 Kilobytes
Microfilter
A small device that plugs into the phone socket and splits the line into a broadband line and telephone line. The microfilter plugs into the broadband modem or router.
Modem
Converts the line into high speed internet access.
Router
Allows multiple computers to access a single broadband line at the same time.
Upload Speed
The amount of information that can be uploaded to the internet per second.
Usage Restriction
The maximum amount that you can download per month. Otherwise know as a cap.
Wireless Router
Allows multiple computers to access a single broadband line at the same time without the use of any cables or wires. More info on a Wireless Router
WiFi
Wireless Fidelity. Allows you to access the internet wirelessly using a wireless router.
WiMax
Similar to WiFi except over a much larger scale. WiMax can provide wireless internet to a large area.
