Broadband Speed, is it an illusion?

"Speed" is defined the rate at which someone or something moves over distance. In truth, data moves at a constant speed over networks, in fibre it is the speed of light.

So, what exactly does the term "Broadband speed" refer too? Strictly speaking it is the "Rate" at which data is delivered.

For example 10Mb/s is a rate of 10 million bits per second delivered, with no mention of distance it falls outside the definition of speed.

Consider filling a bath (assuming you have put the plug in of course), turn on the cold tap and it might deliver 1 litre of water per second. The speed of the water is constant.

Now, turn on the hot tap and another 1 litre of water per second is added, therefore the bath is now receiving 2 litres per second, but the water is still flowing at the same speed from each tap.

In this example the bath might fill in 10 minutes with just one tap open, but fill in 5 minutes with both taps opened.

The bath fills faster with more water but the tap water speed is constant, it is the rate that has changed.

This is where the perception of speed comes in, the time from an empty bath of 0cm of water to full, say 50cm of water, can be measured as time / distance and nicely fits the true definition of speed.

A broadband service provider opens more "data taps" the more you are prepared to pay each month, thereby increasing the "data-rate"!