cable modem

A modem that plugs into a cable network to provide Internet access, typically for homes or small businesses. It receives Internet data over the same type of cable that cable television uses (coaxial cable or fiber-optic cable).

Cable modems provide more bandwidth (up to 10 Mbps) than regular modems (which send signals over regular telephone lines, see: POTS). Data-intensive operations, like video, are easily delivered. Cable modems have maximum data rates that are six times those of a T1 dedicated line, but since cable connections are shared, the actual speed is comparable to that of a phone line using DSL.