cable modem

A type of {modem} that allows

people to access the Internet via their cable television

service. However, 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.

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 in practice may be lower depending

on the number of other simultaneous users on the same cable.

(1997-06-29)