Modems

Modem is a contraction of the terms modulator and demodulator. Modems perform a simple function: They translate digital signals from a computer into analog signals that can travel across conventional phone lines. The modem modulates the signal at the sending end and demodulates at the receiving end.

Modems provide a relatively slow method of communication. In fact, the fastest modem available on the market today has a maximum speed of 56Kbps. Compare that to the speed of a 10Mbps network connection, and you'll find that the modem is approximately 180 times slower. That makes modems okay for browsing Web pages or occasionally downloading small files but wholly unsuitable for downloading large files. As a result, many people prefer to use ...

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