We try to avoid using excessive technical jargon, but some industry terminology can still be confusing. Our goal is to break down those barriers and help you understand the lingo.
We are here to help, from A to Z!
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ADSL This stands for Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line, which is an older broadband technology which uses phone lines to carry data. The speed is limited to 8 Mbps or 11 Mbps for ADSL2. ADSL has been replaced by both part-fibre and full fibre services, so customers can get faster internet in their homes. |
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Bandwidth Bandwidth means the maximum capacity of an internet network or connection to transmit data. For example, if your network capacity is at 150 Mbps, the network would not be able to transmit data faster than 150 megabits per second. Broadband is high-speed internet access. It’s also an umbrella term, referring to various high-speed technologies, like fibre optic technology or wireless broadband. |
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Cloud-based software Cloud-based computing allows users access to software applications that run on shared computing resources via the Internet. CSP (Consumer splice point) this is a new box that is installed on the outside of the property, where the (copper) telephone cable and new fibre cable are fed into. CGNAT (Customer-grade Network Address Translation). Is a network technology that uses a single public IP address for multiple users on a network. It is primarily used by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to help manage network resources efficiently. CACHE is hardware or software that is used to store something, usually data, temporarily in a computing environment. It is a small amount of faster, more expensive memory used to improve the performance of recently or frequently accessed data. |
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Data Information transmitted through your broadband, represented in bits. Download speed In broadband, it refers to the transfer of data from one device/source to another via the network. Download speed dictates how quickly files can be retrieved. Dial-up internet Dial-up internet relies on a telephone line to access the internet. It’s an older technology that is limited in speed, so it’s nearly phased out. It was the most common internet connection in the late 20th century. |
| Ethernet Cables These cables, often yellow, enable a wired connection directly from a device to a router, offering faster and more reliable connectivity than Wi-Fi. It’s important to have the right category (commonly referred to as “Cat”) of ethernet cable. We recommend Cat 6 or higher as these are capable of transmitting at 1000 Mbps. |
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Fibre-optic cables Cables transmitting large amounts of data, in light pulses, which means it is literally done at the speed of light. Fixed line Broadband delivered through physical cables, covering ADSL, cable, and fibre connections, the most common option in the UK. FTTC (Fibre-to-the-Cabinet) A technical term describing fibre broadband connections where fibre optic cable is only used to the cabinet, not the premises where the broadband will be used. The final connection is usually on slower copper lines. FTTP (Fibre-to-the-Premises) The technical term for full fibre broadband connections. This is broadband delivered through fibre optic cables directly from the local exchange point to the building, providing huge average download and upload speeds of as much as 1000Mbps and more! Firewall A security system that monitors and controls network traffic to prevent unauthorized access to a network. |
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Gigabits A measure for the amount of data that is transferred per second. 1 gigabit = 1000 megabits. Gigabyte (GB) Not to be confused with gigabit, a gigabyte is a measure of storage available. |
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IP Address The numeric location of your device online, akin to a postcode for your broadband.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) Describes any broadband supplier. |
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Landline A phone handset connected to the phone line serving your property. Latency The amount of time it takes for data to travel from one point to another on a network. Usually referred to in milli seconds. Anything below 20ms is excellent. |
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Mbps (Megabits per Second) A unit of measurement for internet speed, indicating the rate at which data is transmitted over a network. Mbps is commonly used to express both download and upload speeds. Mesh network A wireless network topology that consists of multiple interconnected nodes/routers or devices, working together seamlessly to provide extended and reliable coverage. Mesh networks are particularly effective in larger spaces or homes where a single router may struggle to provide consistent coverage. We offer our BeBoost service as an add-on to our full fibre. |
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Network Connecting devices through your broadband.
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ONT (Optical Network Terminal) is the link between the Internet Service Provider (ISP) and the customer of fibre Internet. Usually, a little box on the wall of your home. It translates the signals from the internet into information your devices can digest.
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Phone line The older copper wire connected to a property, used for ADSL and part of a fibre broadband connection. Power Cycle Power cycling your router to means to reboot your router by disconnecting it from its power source, waiting, and then reconnecting it. Will fix most problems! PING A measurement of latency or the time it takes for data to travel from your device to a server and back. Low ping is crucial for activities like gaming and video conferencing. |
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Router A device enabling internet access for your devices. Sometimes referred to as a modem, residential gateway, node. Capability of routers can vary significantly.
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Symmetrical speeds Equal download and upload bandwidth, as offered with our full fibre connections. Streaming refers to any media content that’s watched on the internet. For example, this includes live television, movies, podcasts, and music videos. Popular streaming platforms you probably know include Netflix and Spotify. |
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Traffic The flow of data on the network. More likely to impact performance in FTTC networks than FTTP.
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Upload Speed Measures how fast you can send information to the network via your broadband connection, also in Mbps.
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VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) A technology that enables voice communication and multimedia sessions over the internet rather than traditional telephone lines. VoIP converts analogue audio signals into digital data packets, which are then transmitted over the internet in real-time. VPN- (virtual private network) It's a service that gives you safe and private access to the internet while encrypting your connection. A VPN hides your IP address and location so keeps your online activity private. Put simply, a VPN is software that ensures a secure connection between your computer and the internet by running your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server in a remote location. |
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Wi-Fi A wireless broadband connection, often created by a router, allowing devices connectivity for internet use without wires. Whole Home Wi-Fi Whole Home Wi-Fi, also called Mesh Wi-Fi, creates a stronger Wi-Fi signal in your home. It uses multiple devices, often called boosters, to create a network which shares your signal, creating a long-range Wi-Fi network. Wi-Fi booster A Wi-Fi booster helps to boost the Wi-Fi signal around your home |
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