A broadband modem is quite different from those of dial-up modems. You need it when you take a broadband service for the first time. Usually providers offer modem along with you package or may ask you to have a modem at extra cost. Anyhow, getting the modem from your broadband provider should be safe being supported by your provider and should work fine with the setup.

In case your provider does not offer a modem then you can get a modem of your choice. There are wide types of modem out there and it is good before to check with your provider for a suitable modem. If you are in preparation to set up a network to share your internet connection then you require a router modem.

Broadband modems are still limited to utilize analog/digital conversion. But most recent advanced modems are capable of modulating/demodulating hundreds of channels simultaneously. Also many broadband modems together include the firewall features and functionality of a router.

The propagation of cable broadband, along with ADSL, has steered well the broadband Internet access in the developed world. However, modem for a cable broadband much differs from an ADSL modem. Cable broadband primarily uses the unused bandwidth on a cable television network to deliver speeder broadband Internet access. A cable modem so is a different type of modem that is designed to carry on the data signals over network designed for cable television.

ADSL and Cable modems differ little by the way it works and both are superior alternatives to dial-up internet. Both offer a snappy pace to transfer data packets to the servers. But, there is wide different in bandwidth between ADSL and Cable internet. Speeds at which data are send and received vary between cable and of ADSL modems.

Cable modems mostly run at a speed of 3-6 Mbps in downstream and in upstream 0.3-0.4 Mbps. Comparing to Cable modem, DSL modem offers less speed and varies between service packages. Service quality also depends on your location from your local exchange. A dial-up modem can run at a speed of 56 Kbps. Irrespective of broadbands having their own advantages and disadvantages, modems take the central most part in it to provide you the high-speed internet.