YOUR GUIDE TO INTERNET TERMS
Internet terminology continues to grow as technology evolves. Below is a list of common internet terms to help you navigate your internet service and choices.
Bandwidth
Bandwidth is the amount of information received every second. Not to be confused with speed, which is how fast that information is received or downloaded.
Broadband
Broadband (short for “broad bandwidth”) is the transmission of high-quality digital data of wide bandwidth.
Cable Modem Internet
Cable Modem Internet is a broadband technology that transmits high-quality data of wide bandwidth over wired cables, such as copper.
DSL Internet
A digital subscriber line (DSL) is a broadband technology used to transmit digital data through telephone lines.
Data
Data in digital format is used anytime you connect to the internet to browse websites, check email, play a video game, download music, or stream movies and shows.
Download Speed
The rate that digital data is transferred from the internet to your computer.
Fiber Internet
A broadband technology used to transfer digital data through fiber-optic cable in the form of light beams and is faster than wired cable such as copper.
5G Internet
A broadband technology, 5G is the 5th generation of cell network technology which uses a system of cell sites (towers) to transmit digital data through radio airwaves.
Fixed Wireless Internet
Fixed wireless is a broadband technology that broadcasts digital data from towers through radio airwaves to receivers installed at a location, such as a house or business.
ISP
An ISP (Internet Service Provider) is a company that provides Internet service to customers. They use one or more broadband technologies to connect their backbone network to a location, such as a house or business.
IoT
IoT (Internet of Things) is an ecosystem of web-enabled smart devices that extends internet connectivity beyond computers, smart phones, and tablets. Examples include smart TVs, smart speakers, toys, wearables, and smart appliances.
Mesh Network
Mesh Wi-Fi is a system that consists of a main router that connects directly to your modem and a series of node devices placed around your house for full Wi-Fi coverage. They share the same SSID and password to provide seamless internet connectivity to all your smart devices.
Modem
An electronic device that connects Internet service provided via wired cable to your home network.
ONT
An ONT (Optical Network Terminal), is an electronic device that connects Internet service provided via fiber optics to your home network.
Router
An electronic device that lets all your wired and wireless (via Wi-Fi) devices use an Internet connection at the same time. Sometimes modem and router functionality are combined in one device, but this isn’t always the case.
Satellite Internet
Satellite internet is a wireless broadband technology that beams digital data between satellites orbiting the Earth and a receiver installed at a location, such as a house or business.
Smart Device
A smart device is a device that connects to an app, the Internet, a local network, or another device using a wireless connection. Smart devices that connect to the internet consume digital data.
Speed
Internet speed is measured in megabits per second (Mbps). Bits are tiny units of digital data. A higher internet speed means digital data is transmitted faster between the internet and your computer.
Upload Speed
The rate that digital data is transferred from your computer to the internet.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi is the wireless technology used to connect computers, tablets, smart phones, and other smart devices to the Internet.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What type of broadband technology does Sparklight use to provide internet service?
Sparklight uses a fiber-optic infrastructure to deliver reliable, high-speed internet service. With a fiber-optic network, there’s no electricity involved which means your connection is vastly more reliable and consistent. Unlike other networks, fiber isn’t affected by bad weather or electrical interference which makes it vastly more reliable and consistent.
Who is Sparklight?
Sparklight® is a leading broadband communications provider and part of the Cable One family of brands, which serves more than 1 million residential and business customers in 24 states. Sparklight provides consumers with a wide array of connectivity and entertainment services, including high-speed internet and advanced Wi-Fi solutions.
Why should I choose Sparklight?
At Sparklight, our Purpose is connecting our customers and communities to what matters most.
Sparklight’s Values are the fundamental beliefs that guide how we behave and what sets us apart. Every day we endeavor to level the playing field for rural markets where access to affordable, high-speed internet is just as vital as in more urban markets — and the need is often much greater.
We invest in infrastructure to help eliminate the “digital divide” for homes, schools, and businesses across our footprint. These investments included deploying fiber deeper and closer to our customers and installing the first modems capable of 10 gigabit per second speeds, which we expect to roll out more broadly in the coming years.
Sparklight’s Values are the fundamental beliefs that guide how we behave and what sets us apart. Every day we endeavor to level the playing field for rural markets where access to affordable, high-speed internet is just as vital as in more urban markets — and the need is often much greater.
We invest in infrastructure to help eliminate the “digital divide” for homes, schools, and businesses across our footprint. These investments included deploying fiber deeper and closer to our customers and installing the first modems capable of 10 gigabit per second speeds, which we expect to roll out more broadly in the coming years.