communications, hardware A type of
modem that allows
people to access the
Internet via their cable television
service.
A cable modem can transfer data at 500
kbps or higher,
compared with 28.8 kbps for common telephone line modems, but
the actual transfer rates may be lower depending on the number
of other simultaneous users on the same cable.
Industry pundits often point out that the cable system still
does not have the
bandwidth or service level in many areas
to make this feasible. For example, it has to be capable of
two-way communication.
(2000-12-19)