Broadband

Broadband is the umbrella term for high-speed always-on internet access, distinguished from narrowband dial-up. Technologies include DSL and VDSL over copper, DOCSIS over coaxial cable, FTTH/FTTP over fibre, fixed wireless access over 4G/5G, and LEO satellite. Regulators define minimum broadband speeds in their universal-service frameworks, and the threshold rises over time.

Categories: Radio Access NetworkInternet and RoutingEncryption and Cryptography

Broadband in context

The radio access network is where mobile devices attach to the operator's infrastructure. Attacks in this layer include IMSI catching, rogue base stations and downgrade attacks; defenses rest on mutual authentication, integrity-protected signaling and Open RAN supply-chain hygiene.

Telecom networks depend on Internet-style routing (BGP, DNS, MPLS) for interconnect. Route hijacks and DNS abuse can degrade or intercept signaling, which is why RPKI and DNSSEC are now standard hardening for carrier networks.

To place Broadband in the wider telecom-security picture, review CDMA, Noise, OFDMA, SHR, TDMA and A5/2 — each entry cross-references back to this page so you can walk the topic in either direction.

Related terms

More from the TelcoSec Glossary

Browse the full TelcoSec Glossary, the Ultimate Guide to Mobile Network Security, or the P1 Arsenal of telecom-security tools.