Section: IT & Technology · NetworkingDifficulty: Easy
Bandwidth
USUK
The maximum rate of data transfer across a network connection, measured in bits per second.
Definition
Bandwidth refers to the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network connection in a given amount of time, typically measured in bits per second (bps), megabits per second (Mbps), or gigabits per second (Gbps). Higher bandwidth allows more data to be transferred simultaneously, resulting in faster connections. Bandwidth should not be confused with latency, which measures delay, nor with throughput, which measures actual data transfer rates under real conditions.
Example
“A 1 Gbps fiber connection has ten times the bandwidth of a 100 Mbps cable connection, allowing much faster file downloads.”
Synonyms
- network capacity
- data throughput capacity
- transmission capacity
Antonyms / Opposites
- latency
- congestion
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Related Terms
- latency
- throughput
- internet-speed
- network-congestion