Broadband is a high-speed Internet connection. Technically speaking, broadband typically starts at 384 kilobytes per second.

The high-speed of broadband makes Internet pages appear and files download more quickly which results in more enjoyable Web surfing. Video, audio, or complex graphics that are becoming commonplace on the Internet are easily accommodated by broadband. This type of data transmission can carry several channels or communication paths at once in a single medium or wire. Because of this capability, broadband cable connections are able to transmit both television signals and Internet data at the same time. Broadband telephone connections like DSL are able to transmit both voice and data over the same line at the same time.

Broadband connections are always on. If your computer is on, you will be constantly connected to the Internet with no dial-up involved. For most average users, a broadband connection will mean accessing the Internet by either a cable modem provided by their local cable company or a DSL modem and telephone line provided by their local telephone service provider. Some educational and commercial users are lucky enough to be using a very fast broadband connection known as a T-1 line.