/ˈbænd.wɪdθ/
noun — "the pipeline width that determines how much data can flow."
Bandwidth is the maximum rate at which data can be transmitted over a communication channel, network, or connection. It defines the capacity of networks like IP, broadband technologies such as G.fast and VDSL, or wireless links like WLAN. Higher bandwidth allows more data to be sent per unit of time, improving performance for applications like streaming, gaming, and VoIP (VoIP).
Technically, bandwidth can be expressed in bits per second (bps), kilobits per second (kbps), megabits per second (Mbps), or gigabits per second (Gbps). It is influenced by factors such as channel frequency range, signal modulation, network congestion, and noise. Tools like QoS (QoS) help allocate and manage available bandwidth to prioritize critical traffic.
Key characteristics of Bandwidth include:
- Capacity: maximum data transmission rate of a channel.
- Throughput impact: affects download/upload speeds and latency.
- Dependent on medium: fiber, copper, and wireless have different limits.
- Shared vs dedicated: can be shared among users or dedicated to a single connection.
- Managed with QoS: ensures performance for high-priority applications.
In practical workflows, network engineers monitor and optimize bandwidth to prevent congestion, ensure service-level agreements, and provide a consistent user experience for streaming, gaming, and enterprise applications.
Conceptually, Bandwidth is like the width of a highway: the wider it is, the more cars (data) can travel simultaneously without traffic jams.