Data transmission is generally split into three groups:
Narrowband
Middleband == Broadband
Wideband
Narrowband is things like normal telephone lines, etc.
Broadband is between these and up to wideband. I suppose that the upper limit will always be changing here as technology progresses.
For me, a broadband connection has certain characteristics:
1) Always connected - no dial-up procedure required
2) Higher bandwidth than previous technologies (POTS, ISDN) - basically higher than 128kbps (dual ISDN).
I rate number 1 higher in importance than number 2 (although I think that ISDN was always on, but I never used that ever, it was too expensive).
In the UK, NTL's low-end broadband is 150kbps down, which I'm happy to accept is broadband given that it is always on. It ain't great though, but more than good enough for many people who don't download a lot of stuff. I'm on the 600kbps down package which appears to be the best value for money. Seriously considering dumping NTL altogether though since their TV prices went sky high. Some DSL companies are offering much more interesting packages now than a year or so ago. NTL haven't dropped their broadband pricing in the 30 months I've had it with them, nor improved it in any way.
