The rate at which data is transmitted from one computer to another is called data transmission speed.  The unit of data transmission speed is calculated in bps (bit per second).  The amount of data transferred per second, that is, the rate of data transfer is called bandwidth.  This bandwidth is usually calculated in Bit per second (bps).



Although the speed of data transfer through different means is called bandwidth, the term bandwidth is now widely used to mean the speed of different types of internet services.  The higher the bandwidth, the more data will be transmitted through the channel per second.  This results in faster service.  For example, more data like pictures or videos will be downloaded in less time.  And if the bandwidth is less, the amount of data transmitted through the channel per second will be less.  As a result, large amounts of data, such as images or videos, may take a long time to arrive, or in many cases may not.



With a high bandwidth internet connection, much more data can be downloaded and uploaded quickly, video can be viewed and audio can be listened to comfortably on the internet.



Units of Bandwidth Measurement:

The rate at which a single bit of data is transferred per second is called bps (bit per second).  The smallest unit of information (Bit).  Bit's full name is Binary Digit.  One bit equals binary data 0 or 1.  One bit character in 6 bits.  Since bytes are equal to 4 bits, MBps means 8 Mbps.bps means bit per second (1 bit -1 or 0).

  • kbps is kilobits per second (1024 to -1 kilobytes)
  • Mbps is megabits per second (1024 kilobytes 1 megabyte)
  • Gbps is gigabits per second (1024 megabytes-1 gigabytes)
  • Thps are terabits per second (1024 gigabytes - 1 terabits)
  • Pbps is Petabit per second (1024 terabytes-1 petabit)


Different types of bandwidth:


Narrowband: A band in which the data transfer speed is usually from a minimum of 45 bps to 300 bps is called a narrowband.  This band is used for slow data transmission.  Although this band is commonly used in telephones, narrow bands are now used for relatively short distances and for communication that does not require high quality voice data.  Namely: police or ambulance mutual communication, walkie-talkie, bluetooth, two way radio etc.



Voice Band: A band in which the data transfer speed is usually from a minimum of 1200 bps to 9600 bps is called a Voice Band.  It is more commonly used on the telephone.  Voiceband is also used to transfer data from computer to printer, from keyboard to computer or from card reader to computer.



Broadband: The band in which the data transfer speed is usually from a minimum of 1Mbps to a maximum of a few Gbps is called Broadband.  Broadband has a wide bandwidth and the ability to carry more data.  Bands are commonly used for data transfer in digital subscriber lines or DSL, radio links, optical fiber, microwave and satellite communications.



Wideband: Wideband is a wide range of frequency communication channels designed to meet the current growing demand for high definition audio data transport.  Much higher quality through this channel  Completed and clear voice or audio is transmitted.  Voice or audio transmissions transmitted over wideband channels are used high. Definition or HD audio is called.  Wideband audio is now widely used for voice over internet protocol or VOIP communication.