Home internet descriptions can be filled with technical terms and confusing acronyms. Use this guide to understand the terms that matter most when choosing an internet service. 

Connection Type  

Learn more about common types of home internet service. For a closer look, check out our guide to connection types. 

Broadband

High-speed internet access delivered via fiber, cable, DSL, fixed wireless, or satellite technology. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines broadband as having minimum speeds of 100 Mbps download and 20 Mbps upload.

Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) 

The technical standard cable providers use to deliver internet data over hybrid fiber-coaxial networks.

DSL Internet

Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) service delivers data over copper telephone wiring. According to Broadband Search, many providers are phasing out DSL in favor of faster options like fiber or 5G.

Fiber-Optic Internet 

Data travels as light pulses through glass strands, allowing signals to move faster than over electrical currents. Fiber networks run dedicated fiber-optic cables from a central facility directly to your home.

Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH)

A broadband architecture using direct fiber-optic connections. gFiber builds FTTH networks to deliver symmetrical upload and download speeds.

Fixed Wireless 5G

Connects homes using mobile cellphone network radio spectrums. Signals travel from nearby cell towers to a receiver installed at your home.

Hybrid Fiber-Coaxial (HFC)

Combines fiber-optic lines with coaxial copper cable for the final home connection. Often called "hybrid fiber" or "fiber-powered," HFC networks share capacity among neighboring households, which can slow speeds during peak hours, according to All Connect.

Internet Service Provider (ISP) 

A company that provides access to the internet and related internet services.

Satellite Internet

Beams radio signals from space to a home satellite dish. While it reaches remote areas, signal quality can be impacted by weather, and speeds are generally lower.

Speed and reliability 

What level of performance should you expect from your internet?

Bandwidth

The maximum capacity of a connection at any given time. Households with multiple connected devices—such as smart TVs, phones, laptops, and security cameras—require higher bandwidth to run everything concurrently.

Battery Backup

A device that maintains internet service during temporary power outages, by keeping your router on. gFiber offers an Internet Battery Backup with its Home 3 Gig and Edge 8 Gig products.

Download Speed

Measures how fast data moves from the internet to a device (in Mbps or Gbps). It’s how quickly your internet can bring data into your home and impacts everyday tasks like streaming, browsing, and downloading files. Learn more about download speed.

Latency (Ping)

The delay between sending a request to a website or app and receiving a response back, measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower latency provides a smoother experience for real-time applications like online gaming and video calls. Learn more about latency.

Mbps and Gbps 

Megabits per second (Mbps) and gigabits per second (Gbps) measure data transfer rates (how quickly information travels over your internet connection). 1,000 Mbps equals 1 Gbps.

PON, XGS-PON, and 25G PON

Passive Optical Network (PON) is the core architecture fiber providers use to route signals to homes. XGS-PON and 25G PON are advanced generations of this framework supporting higher speeds. gFiber operates XGS-PON and 25G PON simultaneously.

Symmetrical Speeds

Upload speeds match download speeds. Essential for bandwidth-heavy activities like video calls, cloud backups, live streaming, and remote work - when things need to go out and come into your network. Learn more about symmetrical speeds.

Upload Speed

Measures how fast data travels from a device to the internet (in Mbps or Gbps). Determines performance for video conferencing, live streaming, and large file transfers. Learn more about upload speeds.

Uptime

The percentage of time a service remains active and fully operational. Learn more about gFiber’s Uptime Guarantee.

Equipment and installation 

Learn more about hardware setups and the terminology you may encounter during setup.

Access Point

A device providing a wired or wireless pathway to the network, usually placed in the right of way in your neighborhood.

Build-out

The physical expansion and connection of the gFiber network to customers in a specific area. Learn more about gFiber’s build-out process.

Conduit

Protective tubing installed to shield fiber-optic cables.

Ethernet

A wired networking standard connecting local devices (like computers and routers) within a Local Area Network (LAN).

Fiber Drop

The fiber running into your home, attaching the home's Network Interface Unit (NIU) to the local network access point.

Fiber Jack

An Optical Network Terminal (ONT) inside the home that converts incoming optical signals into standard Ethernet for your router. Learn more about gFiber’s installation process.

Gateway or Modem 

Hardware that bridges a home network with an ISP's external signal. Cable and DSL connections rely on traditional modems or combined modem-routers, whereas fiber uses an Optical Network Terminal (ONT) paired with a router. gFiber routes connections directly into the Fiber Jack without a traditional cable modem.

Local Area Network (LAN)

A private network of computers and connected devices sharing a central communications link. Your home network is a LAN.

Mesh Wi-Fi Equipment

A system using multiple interconnected nodes to extend seamless wireless coverage across larger spaces and eliminate weak connection areas. Learn more about Wi-Fi equipment.

Network Box

Another name for the router or gateway installed in a gFiber residence.

Network Interface Unit (NIU)

An exterior junction box where the Fiber Drop connects to the structure. Learn more about gFiber’s installation process.

Optical Network Terminal (ONT)

A unit that converts optical light signals from fiber cables into standard data signals for routers. Learn more about gFiber’s installation process.

Router

A wireless device that distributes network connectivity through Wi-Fi to your devices like phones, laptops, and smart TVs. Learn more about Wi-Fi standards.

Wi-Fi and security

Understand wireless standards and network protection.

Wi-Fi 

Wireless technology that enables devices to connect to a local network and the internet without physical cables.

Wi-Fi Network Name

The router’s public identifier for devices to locate and connect to the network.

Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)

Encryption protocols safeguarding wireless networks from unauthorized access. Modern hardware (including gFiber's) enables current standards like WPA2 or WPA3 by default.

Wi-Fi Standard 

The underlying protocol generation used by a router (e.g., Wi-Fi 6, 6E, or 7). Newer generations yield improved throughput, capacity, and range. gFiber supports up to Wi-Fi 7 depending on the selected product. Learn more about Wi-Fi 7.

2.4 GHz / 5 GHz / 6 GHz

The primary radio frequency bands used by modern routers. The 2.4 GHz band prioritizes long-range signal propagation through walls at lower speeds; 5 GHz offers balanced speed and coverage; 6 GHz delivers peak speeds over shorter ranges with minimal interference. gFiber's Wi-Fi 6E and Wi-Fi 7 routers dynamically steer devices to the optimal band, which means the router automatically selects the best connection for your device.

Cost and contract terms

A deeper look at common billing and service terms.

Contract Term or Term Agreement

A binding commitment to retain service over a fixed period for a set rate. gFiber does not have contracts of this type. Learn more about gFiber’s products.

Data Cap

A monthly bandwidth limit after which an ISP may throttle speeds or assess overage fees. gFiber never caps our products, which all come with unlimited data. Learn more about gFiber’s transparent pricing.

Equipment Fee

A recurring monthly rental fee for ISP-provided modems or routers. gFiber does not charge additional fees for hardware. Learn more about fees to watch out for when selecting an internet provider.

FCC Broadband Label

A standardized disclosure mandated by the FCC showing plan pricing, performance metrics, data allowances, and hidden fees. It allows you to compare between providers.

Installation Fee

A one-time setup charge for a professional to install and activate the service in your house. gFiber does not charge additional fees for installation. Learn more about gFiber’s transparent pricing.

Rate-Lock Pricing

A promotional structure guaranteeing fixed rates for a set timeframe, after which pricing increases. gFiber does not use this type of gimmick, instead offering steady, transparent pricing for our new and existing customers. Learn more about fees to watch out for when selecting an internet provider.

Service Availability

Indicates whether an address is within a provider's active network footprint. Check for gFiber availability at your address.