What Is Broadband

Broadband is having the bandwidth to move big files fast.
Broadband provides security, backup and private networking.
Broadband is the ability to have increased complexity of files and services.

Speed is not the only fiber optic advantage!

In addition to sending simple computer files and email, broadband gives you the ability to send and receive information that is becoming more complex, not only in the types of files created; but in the types of services that are accessible through a single broadband connection.

• Voice: via telephone service, internal business needs
• Video: video conferencing, entertainment services, television programming, video on demand
• Data: internet, business networking, security, telemedicine, distance learning

Mason County PUD No. 3 offers wholesale telecommunications services that have speeds over 50,000 times faster than what the federal government defines as “high speed service.”

An ever increasing demand for faster computer networks, complex information services delivered via the internet, the need to upgrade telephone and video networks business and residential use, and the unknown future demands for bigger and faster pipes for data services means access to broadband is important for our community.

Why not dial up or DSL?

Sure, you can get connected with dial up internet service, which is easy to use...until you need to move big files and information FAST. Large files take a lot of time to send through conventional telecommunications systems, creating a “bandwidth bottleneck”. It’s this “bottleneck” that eats up your time and money.

For a comparison of data transfer speeds, click here.

As businesses and casual users of the internet know, a dial up modem connection used to be enough to meet most needs. But now accessing information via modem seems to be painfully slow. As we become more dependent on email and the internet, we realize the limitations of our connections.