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Dial up is baseband, i.e. single units of data are transmitted, whereas broadband sends more than 1 unit of data per signal. This explains why broadband is a lot faster than dial up. Dial up involves a call to the ISP to establish a connection and is usually limited in time. Broadband provides an always on connection without the need for a call. Broadband is separated into cable and DSL. Cable requires an extension cable into the building for Internet purposes. It's speed and stability is determined by the number of users that share this cable connection. DSL is digital subscriber's line. Now, ADSL/ADSL2 and variants are used. They reuse the existing phone line via sending signals at frequencies the telephone does not use. Their speed and stability is determined by how far you are from the exchange and the quality of your phone line. These days ADSL2 and variants are faster and better than cable, but are restricted to certain locations due to it being a new technology.

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