| 1. a modem (=piece of equipment that allows information from one computer to be sent to another) that uses cable connections instead of telephone wires, and allows you to search the Internet very quickly. Modem used to convert analog data signals to digital form and vise versa, for transmission or receipt over cable television lines, especially for connecting to the Internet. A cable modem modulates and demodulates signals like a telephone modem, but is a much more complex device. Data can be transferred over cable lines much more quickly than over traditional phone lines. Transmission rates are typically around 1.5 megabits per second. Faster transmission is actually possible, but speed is usually restricted by the cable company's (typically slower) connection to the Internet. Cable Internet access is regarded as a replacement for slower dial-up and ISDN services, and is competitive with other broadband modes of delivery (e.g., DSL connections). See also broadband technology |
