A broadband network is a rather complex item, and consists primarily of the following: multi-media, multi-point, and multi-rate. A multi-media call consists of a communication of audio, data, still images, or full-motion video, or even a combination of any of these media. A multi-point call consists of the setup of connections among that of more than two people, and these connections can either be one way or two way communications. A multi-rate network is one which allocates that of transmission capacity flexibility to connections, and has to support a broad range of bit-rates demanded by connections.
A broadband network is important because there are many disadvantages that come with the traditional networks, such as the fact that they are too noisy and inefficient for large amounts of data communication. As well, with a broadband network you can achieve the economy of sharing, and this integration also avoids the need for many overlaying networks, which will only result in the complicating of network management and reducing the available flexibility in the introduction and evolution of services.
A broadband network is also considered to be more availably inexpensive, for reasons such as: infrastructure costs, transport costs, regulatory compliance costs, and taxes and fees, for example. Broadband networks do not have the same infrastructure costs as regular networks because there are many more costs that are required onto the traditional networks, such as: central offices, long-distance switches, transport lines, and wiring into the location.
In regards to that of transport costs, broadband phone services use the Internet as their primary transport, and thus there are no additional costs incurred in this situation. As for regulatory compliance, broadband phone services are not classified by regulators in the same way as the traditional phone networks, rather they are classified as that of data services, and therefore many of the same regulations do not apply to them.
In regards to the taxes and fees factor, again, because broadband phone services are classified as data services, they are therefore not subject to many of the local, state, and federal taxes which most traditional networks are. Broadband phone services also offer a number of additional options in regards to phone numbers, such as the fact that you can keep your existing phone number from the traditional phone system if you switch over, and there is also the option of virtual numbers.
