Search & Understand Internet Terms Online
From broadband to bandwidth, decode the internet’s most common terms with our simple and easy-to-navigate search feature.
Common Internet Terms
Internet Service Provider (ISP): The company that provides you with internet.
High-Speed Internet: Any internet service that can achieve 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload speeds as per the Federal Communications Commission’s ‘Broadband Speed Benchmark.’
Broadband: A broad term for high-speed, always-on internet access, which includes DSL, cable, fiber, satellite, and wireless (4G/5G) technology types.
Fixed Broadband: Wired internet service delivered to your home via cable, fiber optic, DSL, and fixed wireless technologies.
Mobile Broadband: Device-based internet services available through a provider’s wireless cellular technology, including 3G, 4G, and 5G.
Cellular Network: A mobile phone technology that uses a network of cell towers that transmit radio signals to provide wireless communication to mobile phones.
Wireless ISP (WISP): The company that delivers internet via wireless technologies rather than cables.
Local Area Network (LAN): A network connecting computers and devices in a limited area (like a home or office), allowing them to share resources and internet access.
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN): A high-speed network that connects multiple LANs across a city or large campus (up to about 50 km).
Wide Area Network (WAN): A network that covers a larger geographic area, such as cities or countries, through multiple LANs, e.g., the Internet.
Internet Technologies & Connection Types
Fiber-Optic Internet: Internet delivered through thin glass or plastic fibers using light signals. Fiber-optic connections offer very high speeds (often gigabits per second) and are less affected by weather or interference.
p>Cable Internet: A type of broadband service that uses the same coaxial cables as cable TV to deliver high-speed internet to homes and businesses, typically offering faster download speeds than DSL. Read more: Fiber vs. Cable?
Coaxial Cable: A type of cable with a copper core and insulating layers, used to carry TV and cable internet signals with high bandwidth.
Fiber Optic Cable: Thin glass or plastic strands that carry data as pulses of light, supporting extremely high-speed internet over long distances.
Fiber to the Node (FTTN ): A hybrid broadband architecture where fiber cables are run to a central location, called a node, from where the signal is transmitted through existing copper or coaxial cables to homes.
Fiber to the Premise (FTTP): A fiber-optic connection where the fiber-optic wire runs all the way to a home or business.
Digital Subscriber Line (DSL): An internet connection over standard telephone lines. It lets you use the internet and phone at the same time by using higher-frequency signals for data transmission.
Asymmetric DSL (ADSL): An asymmetric DSL variant that offers speeds higher than traditional dial-up connections, and is commonly used for home Internet over phone lines.
Symmetric DSL (SDSL): A type of DSL where upload and download speeds are the same, unlike ADSL.
Dial-Up Internet: An older method of connecting to the Internet using a telephone line and modem; it is very slow by today’s standards.
Satellite Internet: A type of internet connection offered by satellites orbiting Earth. It is most commonly used in remote or rural areas where other internet types are rarely available.
High-Orbit Satellite Internet: Internet service delivered via geostationary satellites, revolving offering global coverage but with higher latency.
Low-Orbit Satellite Internet: Internet service delivered via many satellites in low-earth orbit, providing lower latency connections.
Wireless Home Internet: A service that delivers broadband connectivity to your home using a fixed wireless signal (often LTE or 5G) instead of cables, with a small outdoor or indoor antenna and gateway device. Read more: Wireless Home Internet.
Fixed-Wireless Home Internet: A broadband service that connects a fixed location (home or business) to the internet using radio links via an antenna on a home, building, or tower instead. Read more: Fixed Wireless.
3G (Third Generation): A generation of cellular mobile network technology that provides faster Internet access than 2G, enabling basic mobile web browsing.
4G (Fourth Generation): The next generation of cellular technology to 3G, offering significantly higher mobile Internet speeds (hundreds of Mbps).
4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution): A fast 4G mobile broadband standard providing high download and upload speeds on cellular networks.
5G (Fifth Generation): The latest cellular technology that provides very high mobile Internet speeds (in gigabits per second) and low latency for devices. Read more: 5G.
Internet Plans & Pricing
Broadband Labels: A type of consumer label, designed to provide you with clear, easy-to-understand information about the cost and performance of internet service plans.
Monthly Price: The cost of the plan before the application of additional charges, such as modem rentals and taxes.
All-Inclusive Price: The total cost of the plan, inclusive of all taxes and fees.
Introductory & Promotional Rate: The discounted price you pay for your broadband service during the initial period of your contract.
Standard Monthly Price: The regular, ongoing price that customers pay for their internet plan after any introductory or promotional offers have expired.
Length of Contract: The number of months a contract lasts, which may include early termination fees and post-contract price hikes, depending on the terms of agreement and the provider.
Long-Term Contract: A contract requiring a fixed commitment, like 12 or 24 months, where you are locked into the service for the entire contract duration and may face Early Termination Fees (ETF) on early cancellation.
Month-to-Month Contract: A type of agreement where you are not tied down to a long-term contract and pay for your service on a monthly basis with the option to cancel or switch providers within a relatively short notice period of 30 days for most providers.
No Contract: Similar to a month-to-month plan, where you are not locked in a long-term commitment. In the broadband world, ‘no-contract’ deals are rolling monthly contracts that renew automatically.
Terms of Agreement: A set of rules, guidelines, and conditions that govern the relationship between the internet service provider (ISP) and the customer. This is the same as ‘Terms of Service’ or ‘Terms and Conditions.’
Rolling Monthly Contract: A contract that automatically renews after each month until you cancel.
Data Cap: The amount of data the plan provides before extra fees are charged or performance is decreased. This is typically measured in gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). Read more: What are Data Caps and How to Avoid Going Over the Limit.
Overage Fees: The additional charges for the service for any data used in excess of the amount included in the plan. This is typically displayed as a cost per gigabyte.
Blocking: When your network or service intentionally stops certain content from crossing or downloading within its network.
Throttling: Your internet service intentionally slows down network speeds for certain content or subscription levels.
Paid Prioritization: Providing faster download and upload speeds for certain content, whether the prioritization is linked to a higher-cost subscription or a deal with content providers.
Discounts: Reduced price offers based on certain conditions, for example, for subscribing to multiple lines, purchasing or financing a phone or other device, enrolling in electronic billing, benefits for military service, or other affiliations.
Bundles: Providers may offer packages or bundles of services, such as combining internet with paid TV, phone, mobile, or home security. Packages or bundles may offer additional benefits such as reduced cost, free devices, access to streaming platforms, or cloud services. Read more: Internet, TV, Mobile, and Home Phone Bundles.
Subscriber Line Charge (SLC): A monthly fee paid by telephone subscribers that is used to compensate the local telephone company for part of the cost of installation and maintenance of the telephone wire, poles, and other facilities that link your home to the telephone network.
Access Charge: A fee charged to subscribers or other telephone companies by a local exchange carrier for the use of its local exchange networks.
Cramming: The practice of overbilling phone customers for enhanced features such as voice mail, caller-ID, and call-waiting that they have not ordered.
Low-Income Internet Service: A public, private, or public-private venture that provides affordable or discounted internet, mobile, or telephone services to eligible users.
Lifeline Program: A federal program that provides discounts on monthly telephone and internet service to eligible low-income households. Read more: Affordable Internet Guide.
Wi-Fi & Networking:
Wireless: A technology that uses radio signals instead of wires or cables to connect devices to a network (common in Wi-Fi, cellular, or satellite Internet).
Wi-Fi: A wireless technology (IEEE 802.11 standards) that uses radio signals to connect devices to a local network and the internet without cables.
Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): The sixth generation of Wi-Fi standard, designed to improve network efficiency, speed, and capacity through technologies like Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) and Multi-User, Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MU-MIMO).
Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax Extended): An extension of Wi-Fi 6 that adds the 6 GHz frequency band while providing a larger spectrum with less interference for high-bandwidth applications.
Wi-Fi 7 (802.11be): The newest Wi-Fi standard, offering multi-gig speeds (up to 46 Gbps), lower latency, and enhanced capacity with features like Multi-Link Operation(MLO) and wider channels for a more powerful wireless experience.
WiMAX: A wireless broadband technology that offers wider coverage than Wi-Fi (up to 30 miles) at speeds similar to mobile networks.
Wi-Fi Extender: A device that connects with your router either wirelessly or through a wired connection to help extend your internet signal into rooms that are facing signal issues.
Wi-Fi Repeater: A device that receives your router’s Wi-Fi signal and rebroadcasts it to extend your wireless coverage into areas with weak or no signal.
Mesh Wi-Fi: A network of two or more units (a primary router plus pods) that work together under a single SSID to blanket your home in seamless, high-performance wireless connectivity.
Wi-Fi Pod: A compact plug-in unit that pairs with your main router to form a mesh or extender system, boosting signal strength in specific rooms or dead zones.
Whole-Home Wi-Fi: A complete wireless solution, often mesh-based, that ensures consistent, reliable Wi-Fi coverage throughout every room and floor of a home, eliminating dead spots.
Wi-Fi Dead Zone: An area in your home or office where Wi-Fi coverage is so weak that devices cannot maintain a reliable connection.
Network Congestion: A slowdown that occurs when too many devices or applications compete for limited network bandwidth at the same time.
Router: A device that routes data between your local network and the internet.
Modem: The device that brings internet service into your home from your ISP. It converts the signal from your provider (cable, DSL, fiber, etc.) into a digital form your devices can use.
Wireless Modem: A cellular gateway that connects to the internet via a wireless signal, for example, LTE/5G gateway device.
Cable Modem: A device that allows a computer to send and receive data over wired cables for internet and Cable TV access.
SSID: The name of a Wi-Fi network (Service Set Identifier). It’s the network name you see when you search for wireless networks on your device.
Bandwidth: The maximum amount of data that can be sent over your internet connection in a given amount of time. Higher bandwidth means faster downloads and smoother streaming.
Throughput: The actual achieved data transfer rate under normal network conditions, which may be lower than the maximum bandwidth.
Packet: A small unit of data that is routed through a network. Packets contain parts of a message along with addressing information so they reach the correct destination.
Data Transfer Rate: A measure of how fast data moves from one device to another over a network, usually expressed in bits per second.
Download Speed: The speed at which data or bits arrive at a device from the internet, often measured in Mbps.
Upload Speed: The speed at which data can be sent from a device to the internet, often measured in Mbps.
Bit: The smallest unit of digital information, often used to measure the rate of internet data transfer.
Byte: A collection of bits that represents more complex information, often used to measure the size of files and storage capacity. 1 Byte = 8 Bits.
Bitrate: A measure of data that can be transferred per second.
Kilobits per second (Kbps): A measurement of data transfer speed equal to one thousand bits per second, often used to describe low-speed connections or legacy services.
Megabits per second (Mbps): A measurement of data transfer speed equal to one million bits per second, commonly used to advertise residential internet plan speeds.
Gigabits per second (Gbps): A measurement of data transfer speed equal to one billion bits per second, commonly used to advertise high-speed internet plans.
Terabits per second (Tbps): A measurement of data transfer speed equal to one trillion bits per second, typically referring to the capacity of large-scale backbone networks.
Ethernet: The standard method for wired networks that uses cables to link devices (computers, printers, etc.) within a local network or connect to the internet.
Network Switch: A hardware device with multiple ports that connects devices on a LAN. It uses Ethernet to allow devices to communicate on the local network.
Hotspot: A place or device that offers Wi-Fi internet access. For example, a cafe with public Wi-Fi, a smartphone that shares its cellular data, or a broadband network providing public Wi-Fi access. Read more: Public Wi-Fi: How It Works, Risks, and How to Stay Safe.
Latency: The amount of time it takes for data to travel from one point to another across the internet in milliseconds. This measurement is often referred to as ‘lag.’ Lower latency is an indicator of a higher quality connection.
Jitter: Small intermittent delays during data transfers.
Packet Loss: The failure of data packets to reach their intended destination as they travel across a network. Read more: Ping, Jitter, and Packet Loss: What They Are & How to Fix Them.
TV & Streaming
Streaming Service: Any service that has live feeds or offers video or audio on demand. Read more: Streaming vs. Cable.
Over-the-Top (OTT): Any streaming service that delivers video content over the internet, such as Netflix, Hulu, and Peacock.
Linear TV: The traditional method of television broadcasting, where content is scheduled and watched at specific times on specific channels.
Connected TV (CTV): Any television device that connects to the internet and can stream digital video content, either through built-in smart TV capabilities or external devices.
Satellite TV: A method of delivering television programming via satellites orbiting the Earth, reaching your home through a satellite dish installed on your home. Read more: Satellite TV.
Cable TV: A method of delivering television programming via physical cables (coaxial or fiber optic), running directly to your home. Read more: Cable TV or Streaming vs. Cable.
Standard-Definition (SD) Streaming: Video with a resolution of around 576p.
High-Definition (HD) Streaming: Videos with a resolution of 720p to 1080p.
4K/4K Ultra HD Streaming: One of the highest resolutions of streaming supported by most online streaming setups, with a resolution of 3840 × 2160 or 4096 × 2160.
DVR: A set-top box with a hard drive or cloud-based services that allow users to record and store television programs for later viewing. Read more: Benefits of DVR in Modern TV Packages?
Live streaming: The broadcasting of video content as it is captured in real-time over the internet.
Buffering: The process of preloading and temporarily storing a portion of a media file (like video or audio) in a dedicated memory, called a buffer. Typically caused by low speeds relative to the file size.
Low-latency streaming: Streaming with a latency under 20-30 seconds.
Infrastructure Terms
Network Service Provider (NSP): A company that owns and maintains major internet backbone infrastructure (like long-haul fiber) and sells network access to ISPs.
Backbone: The high-speed core of the internet, composed of main network lines and routers that link large network clusters or regional ISPs together.
Last Mile: The final leg of the network that delivers broadband service from the provider to the customer’s home or office.
Middle Mile: The intermediate network segment linking local access networks (last miles) to the internet backbone.
Backhaul: The network connection that carries data from a remote site, like a cell tower or remote office, back to the core network, backbone, or internet exchange point.
Dark Fiber: Installed optical fiber cables that are not currently in use.
Passive Optical Network (PON): A fiber-optic network with no active electronics between the provider and customers, using optical splitters to serve many endpoints.
Local Loop: The physical connection (often copper or fiber cable) between a customer’s premises and the telephone company’s central office.
General Internet & Web
Address Bar: The text field at the top of a web browser that displays and lets you enter the web address (URL) of the current page.
Uniform Resource Locator (URL): The full web address you type into a browser to reach a webpage, e.g., https://tvinternetusa.com/resources/internet-terms. It includes the protocol (e.g., https), domain name, and file path.
Domain: A human-readable website name (e.g., google.com) that translates to a numerical IP address.
Domain Name: The unique name that identifies a website on the internet (e.g., tvinternetusa.com).
Top-Level Domain: The last part of a domain name, e.g, .com (commercial), .org (organization), .edu (education).
Second-Level Domain: The part of the domain name that is located right before a Top-Level Domain (TLD), for example, tvinternetusa.
Web Page: A single document on the Internet (often HTML) that can include text, images, videos, and links.
Website: A collection of related web pages under one domain name.
IP Address: A unique number (like 192.168.1.1) that identifies each device on the internet or a local network.
HTTP vs. HTTPS: Rules for sending web pages. HTTP is the basic protocol for fetching web pages. HTTPS (“secure HTTP”) encrypts data between your browser and the website so it stays private.
HTTP Status Code: These codes indicate the outcome of the request you make on the web, which can often result in success, redirection, client error, and server error, depending on the website, e.g., 301, 302, 400, 401, 501, etc.
Browser: A software that lets you visit and view websites on the internet.
Homepage: The main or front page of a website, typically the first page you see when you visit a site.
HyperText Markup Language (HTML): The standard language used to create and format web pages. A browser uses HTML to display content.
Hyperlink: Clickable text or an image on a webpage that takes you to another web page or resource.
World Wide Web: A system of internet servers and documents formatted in HTML, where web pages can link to other pages and include multimedia.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP): Method for uploading/downloading files between computers over a network.
Cloud Computing: Internet service used for data storage that runs on remote servers (the cloud) instead of your local device or hard drives.
Internet of Things (IoT): The network of everyday objects (like appliances or sensors) that are connected to the Internet and share data. Read more: Smart Home Internet Requirements.
Privacy & Security
Privacy Policy: A legal document that outlines how a website or application collects, uses, stores, and shares personal information from users. Read more: TVInternetUSA Privacy Policy.
Network Management Policy: The framework that an ISP uses to manage data moving across its networks.
Digital Footprint: The trail of data, like browsing history, social media posts, and metadata, that you leave behind when using online services.
Cookies: Small files stored by websites on your device to remember preferences or track activity.
Caching: Storing temporary copies of downloaded web content, including pages or images, on your device so repeat visits load faster.
Personally Identifiable Information (PII): Any data that can identify an individual, e.g., name, SSN, address.
Passive Data Collection: Automatically gathering data about users (often via cookies or tracking pixels) as they browse, usually without explicit user action.
Opt-In: A privacy model where users can explicitly give permission before their data is collected or used.
Opt-Out: A privacy model where users must take action to stop their data from being collected.
Firewall: A security system (software or hardware) that monitors and blocks unwanted internet traffic. It helps protect your network by filtering out malicious or unauthorized data.
Encryption: A way of scrambling or converting data into a coded form so that only authorized parties with the key or password can read it, e.g., HTTPS, VPNs.
Virtual Private Network (VPN): A service that encrypts your internet connection, creating a secure ‘tunnel’ between you and the internet so your browsing is private and can’t easily be tracked by others.
Data Breach: An incident where unauthorized parties access or expose confidential data, compromising security or privacy
Malware: Any harmful program (viruses, worms, trojans, spyware, etc.) designed by hackers to damage computers, steal data, or hijack your device without consent.
Virus: Malware that can replicate itself and spread to other devices, often damaging files or data.
Phishing: Fraudulent attempts usually via email or fake websites to trick users into revealing personal information like passwords or credit card information.
Spyware: A type of malware that secretly monitors your computer and sends information like passwords or browsing habits back to a hacker.
Trojan Horse: A type of malware that disguises itself as legitimate software to trick users into installing it.
Spam: Unsolicited or unwanted email, often of a commercial nature, also known as junk email.
Transport Layer Security (TLS): Security protocols that encrypt data transmitted over the Internet to protect privacy.
Intrusion Detection System (IDS): Software or devices that monitor a network for unusual or suspicious activity (potential attacks) and alert administrators.
Intrusion Prevention System (IPS): Similar to IDS, but it can automatically block or prevent detected attacks in addition to alerting administrators.
Troubleshooting, Controls & Tools
Troubleshooting: The process of diagnosing problems and resolving performance issues with your internet connection, equipment, or network configuration.
Firmware: Embedded software on networking devices (routers, modems, extenders) that controls their operation and can be updated to improve performance or security.
Quality of Service (QoS): A set of technologies that prioritize traffic and optimize performance for certain applications over a network.
Parental Controls: A set of tools that allow parents or guardians to manage and limit a child’s access to digital content and online activities over a network. Read more: Benefits of Parental Controls for Internet and TV Services.
Signal Interference: Disruption of wireless signals caused by physical obstacles (walls, furniture), other electronic devices, or overlapping networks, leading to reduced speed or dropouts.
Tech Support: Professional assistance provided by your ISP or device manufacturer to help you set up, optimize, and fix issues with your internet service and equipment.
Customer Service: The support team and resources your provider offers for billing, account management, plan changes, and general inquiries.
Online Forums: Web-based user or provider-led communities where users and experts share troubleshooting tips, reviews, and advice about internet services and equipment.
Provider Evaluation Criteria/How We Review: The set of benchmarks used to evaluate a provider’s download/upload speeds, latency, pricing transparency, contract terms, customer feedback, and support responsiveness in order to compare and rank internet service providers. Explore TVInternetUSA Provider Evaluation Criteria.
Provider Ratings: Evaluations of ISPs based on criteria like speed, reliability, customer satisfaction, and value, usually displayed as stars or scores. Explore ratings: TVInternetUSA Provider Ratings.
Internet Speed Test: A tool that measures the performance of your internet connection by evaluating several key metrics, including download speed, upload speed, ping, and latency. Explore tool: Internet Speed Test.
Provider Comparison Tool: A tool used to compare multiple touchpoints across two or more ISPs. Explore tool: Provider Comparison Tool.
Government, Policy & Regulatory Terms
Federal Communications Commission (FCC): The U.S. government agency that regulates interstate and international communications, including radio, TV, phone, and internet. Read more: FCC.
Universal Service Fund (USF): A federal program that uses collected fees to subsidize telecommunications services in high-cost or underserved areas.
E-Rate: A U.S. federal program that provides discounts on phone and internet service for schools and libraries to help meet their educational needs.
Rights-of-Way: Legal rights granted to phone or cable companies for land or utility poles and installing network cables, towers, or equipment.
Carrier of Last Resort: A telecom provider that is obligated by law to offer service to any customer in its area who requests it, even if serving them is not profitable.
Open Access Network: A broadband network where multiple service providers can use the same infrastructure on equal terms, promoting competition.
Spectrum: The range of electromagnetic radio frequencies allocated by regulators for communication services, e.g., for cell phones, Wi-Fi, and satellite.
Common Carrier: The term used to describe a telecommunications company.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): Technology for making voice calls via the internet (e.g., WhatsApp).
Access Line (Local Loop): The physical telephone or data line from a customer’s building to the local telecom company’s central office.
Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN): State-issued authorization that allows a telecom company to provide service in that area.
Digital Subscriber Line Access Multiplexer (DSLAM): Equipment at a phone company’s central office that connects multiple customer DSL lines to a high-speed Internet backbone.
