Or see the More Basics page
Introduction
This page's intent is to provide some basic information - in one place - that may simplify/clarify key areas of the Broadband puzzle.
Changes are coming and how some have made phone calls in the past is changing too with Voice over Internet (VOIP) to become more commonplace as fiber replaces copper for basic communications.
GUIDES (Links)
COMMUNITY NETWORKS FACT SHEETS (The following fact and information sheets & more!)
Fact Sheet - Broadband 101
Fact Sheet - Wireless 101
Fact Sheet - Satellite is Not Broadband
Fact Sheet - 5G Pocket Guide
Fact Sheet - Broadband as Infrastructure
Fact Sheet - The Opportunity of Municipal Broadband
Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Primer
COMMUNITY NETWORKS FACT SHEETS (The following fact and information sheets & more!)
Fact Sheet - Broadband 101
Fact Sheet - Wireless 101
Fact Sheet - Satellite is Not Broadband
Fact Sheet - 5G Pocket Guide
Fact Sheet - Broadband as Infrastructure
Fact Sheet - The Opportunity of Municipal Broadband
Fiber to the Home (FTTH) Primer
Broadband – Or do you mean the Internet?
They are not the same
The following are some important key words to help clarify some commonplace terms you'll be hearing.
Federal Communication Commission(FCC):- created by statute to regulate interstate communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
ConnectMaine Authority: ConnectMaine Authority – facilitates universal availability of broadband service and to increase the “take rate” or adoption to equal or greater than the national average.
Broadband: Intended to define a specific “capacity” or the ability to send a defined amount of information over the Internet within one second. “Speed” (high-speed) is often used/confused with the word “capacity.” The FCC provides a specific capacity, which changes over time. Broadband is synonymous with Hi-Speed wired Internet access.
Internet: The global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide.
Network: Often associated with different receivers and senders of information over systems compatible with each other, but not necessarily the same.
Download: The receipt of information over the Internet to your “device” (i.e. download from the web) saving that information on your computer.
Upload: The passing of information from your “device” to another computer, network, Web site, mobile device, or some other remotely connected networked location.
Web: World Wide Web or the Web, an Internet-based hypertext system
High Speed: A very general term implying “fast” or high capacity Internet connection, “fast” is meaningless, as is high speed, without a defined baseline. Anything above Dial-up is fast.
Capacity: How much information a connection can transfer, or how much information it does transfer at any given time – generally defined in Megabits per second (Mbps).
Bandwidth (Computing): Bandwidth is the data speed supported by a network connection. The definition comes from the field of engineering where bandwidth represents the distance between the highest and lowest signals on a communication channel (band).
for (Signal Processing): Measure of the width of a range of frequencies, measured in hz.
Megabyte (MB): MB is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information and is one million bytes of information.
Megabit (Mb): Mb is 1/8th of a Megabyte (If you download a 750 MB file it is also 6000 Mb).
Megabit per second (Mbps): Unit of measure (i.e. unit of data transfer). It is a rate equal to 1,000 kilobits per second.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): DSL is an Internet “medium” that uses the same wires as regular telephone lines, using special equipment provided for the purpose. Not all phone lines have DSL. Phone lines are the medium forming the major limitations (age, size and resistance).
WIFI: Wi-Fi or WiFi is a technology for wireless local area networking (LAN) with devices based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. Range is typically very short. Within a house… approx. 50 feet.
Wireless: Wireless communication, or sometimes simply wireless, is the transfer of information or power between two or more points that are not connected by an electrical conductor. The most common wireless technologies use radio waves. With radio waves distances can be short, such as a few meters for Bluetooth or as far as millions of miles such as in deep space radio communications.
Some Types of wireless include:
Last mile: The Last mile (not a distance reference) refers to the final leg of a network delivery. It includes WiFi signals to a subscriber originating from wired networks, and copper wire phone lines that connect the telephone to the local telephone exchange among others. The last mile bottleneck results in bandwidth reduction or increased costs. Phone companies may use Optical Fiber services but house wiring is much older technology unable to support Optical Fiber speeds.
Fiber (Fiber Optics): Fiber Internet uses light as the medium for the transmission of information and has virtually no distance limits. Thin glass fibers are bound inside a larger protective cable.
Cable: Copper wires form the structure for Internet access. Its key limitation is that electrical energy in the form of RF passes over the copper medium and is subject to signal loss over distance.
Domain: A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control within the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the DomainName System (DNS).
Federal Communication Commission(FCC):- created by statute to regulate interstate communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable.
ConnectMaine Authority: ConnectMaine Authority – facilitates universal availability of broadband service and to increase the “take rate” or adoption to equal or greater than the national average.
Broadband: Intended to define a specific “capacity” or the ability to send a defined amount of information over the Internet within one second. “Speed” (high-speed) is often used/confused with the word “capacity.” The FCC provides a specific capacity, which changes over time. Broadband is synonymous with Hi-Speed wired Internet access.
Internet: The global system of interconnected computer networks that use the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide.
Network: Often associated with different receivers and senders of information over systems compatible with each other, but not necessarily the same.
Download: The receipt of information over the Internet to your “device” (i.e. download from the web) saving that information on your computer.
Upload: The passing of information from your “device” to another computer, network, Web site, mobile device, or some other remotely connected networked location.
Web: World Wide Web or the Web, an Internet-based hypertext system
High Speed: A very general term implying “fast” or high capacity Internet connection, “fast” is meaningless, as is high speed, without a defined baseline. Anything above Dial-up is fast.
Capacity: How much information a connection can transfer, or how much information it does transfer at any given time – generally defined in Megabits per second (Mbps).
Bandwidth (Computing): Bandwidth is the data speed supported by a network connection. The definition comes from the field of engineering where bandwidth represents the distance between the highest and lowest signals on a communication channel (band).
for (Signal Processing): Measure of the width of a range of frequencies, measured in hz.
Megabyte (MB): MB is a multiple of the unit byte for digital information and is one million bytes of information.
Megabit (Mb): Mb is 1/8th of a Megabyte (If you download a 750 MB file it is also 6000 Mb).
Megabit per second (Mbps): Unit of measure (i.e. unit of data transfer). It is a rate equal to 1,000 kilobits per second.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): DSL is an Internet “medium” that uses the same wires as regular telephone lines, using special equipment provided for the purpose. Not all phone lines have DSL. Phone lines are the medium forming the major limitations (age, size and resistance).
WIFI: Wi-Fi or WiFi is a technology for wireless local area networking (LAN) with devices based on the IEEE 802.11 standards. Range is typically very short. Within a house… approx. 50 feet.
Wireless: Wireless communication, or sometimes simply wireless, is the transfer of information or power between two or more points that are not connected by an electrical conductor. The most common wireless technologies use radio waves. With radio waves distances can be short, such as a few meters for Bluetooth or as far as millions of miles such as in deep space radio communications.
Some Types of wireless include:
- Satellite
- Infrared
- Broadcast Radio
- Radio
- Microwave
- Wi-Fi
- Mobile Systems
Last mile: The Last mile (not a distance reference) refers to the final leg of a network delivery. It includes WiFi signals to a subscriber originating from wired networks, and copper wire phone lines that connect the telephone to the local telephone exchange among others. The last mile bottleneck results in bandwidth reduction or increased costs. Phone companies may use Optical Fiber services but house wiring is much older technology unable to support Optical Fiber speeds.
Fiber (Fiber Optics): Fiber Internet uses light as the medium for the transmission of information and has virtually no distance limits. Thin glass fibers are bound inside a larger protective cable.
Cable: Copper wires form the structure for Internet access. Its key limitation is that electrical energy in the form of RF passes over the copper medium and is subject to signal loss over distance.
Domain: A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control within the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the DomainName System (DNS).
Do you have PROBLEMS at home?
1. If you are having a problem with the router locking up from time to time, check to make sure that your phone/tablet (if you have one) Auto App/Music Download Update is OFF.
a. You will find this under “Settings” and “iTunes/App Store” on an Apple Device, or a similar location on an Android device.
2. Ask CCI for Bonded Service
- Multiple phone lines are combined to deliver greater down and upload capacity. For DSL only.
- There is a catch – not all modems are the same. There is only one you can buy or rent the same.
- You may have problems getting it if the provider's (CCI) equipment is maxed out (full) and there is no capacity to add service.
3. Ensure you are paying for what you actually get
- Know who you get service from, what you are getting from them and what you are actually paying for.
- AND don’t forget…learn to deal.Your technician(s) are trying to do their best with what they have to work with.
To Test ANY Connection - www.speedtest.net
What you need?
1. Computer, cell phone or tablet.
2. Internet connection - WIFI or cable connection (cellular service if you are checking your cellular capacity.)
Procedure
1. Stop all programs from any device using the Internet - other than the device you are going to use for the test.
a. That may include another computer, TV, printer, tablet or phone (i.e. VOIP).
b. If your apps are updating on your smartphone or tablet, the results will be affected.
Note: For Home/Business tests conducted with a phone/tablet, ensure that your cellular data is OFF.
2. Go to the test site (see link below) and once fully loaded, select “GO.”
a. Run only the test and stay away from the other links and advertisements!
b. Wait for both the upload and download test to complete.
c. Run the test several times to check for consistency and record the results.
i. Results should be in Mbps (Mega bits per second – a Mega bit is 1/8th of a Mega Byte). If REALL slow they'll be in Kbps (Kilo bits...).
1. If you are having a problem with the router locking up from time to time, check to make sure that your phone/tablet (if you have one) Auto App/Music Download Update is OFF.
a. You will find this under “Settings” and “iTunes/App Store” on an Apple Device, or a similar location on an Android device.
2. Ask CCI for Bonded Service
- Multiple phone lines are combined to deliver greater down and upload capacity. For DSL only.
- There is a catch – not all modems are the same. There is only one you can buy or rent the same.
- You may have problems getting it if the provider's (CCI) equipment is maxed out (full) and there is no capacity to add service.
3. Ensure you are paying for what you actually get
- Know who you get service from, what you are getting from them and what you are actually paying for.
- AND don’t forget…learn to deal.Your technician(s) are trying to do their best with what they have to work with.
To Test ANY Connection - www.speedtest.net
What you need?
1. Computer, cell phone or tablet.
2. Internet connection - WIFI or cable connection (cellular service if you are checking your cellular capacity.)
Procedure
1. Stop all programs from any device using the Internet - other than the device you are going to use for the test.
a. That may include another computer, TV, printer, tablet or phone (i.e. VOIP).
b. If your apps are updating on your smartphone or tablet, the results will be affected.
Note: For Home/Business tests conducted with a phone/tablet, ensure that your cellular data is OFF.
2. Go to the test site (see link below) and once fully loaded, select “GO.”
a. Run only the test and stay away from the other links and advertisements!
b. Wait for both the upload and download test to complete.
c. Run the test several times to check for consistency and record the results.
i. Results should be in Mbps (Mega bits per second – a Mega bit is 1/8th of a Mega Byte). If REALL slow they'll be in Kbps (Kilo bits...).