A broadband connection is actually not all that different from a dial-up connection. The equipment is very similar - a different kind of modem, but still a modem, and in many cases the connection is still made through your telephone line.
The difference is that you’ll have an Internet connection that is always on, 24 hours a day. Normally you pay a flat monthly fee, no matter how often you use the Internet. And a broadband connection is much faster. How much faster?
