Broadband Internet access, often shortened to "broadband Internet" or just "broadband" is a high data-transmission rate Internet connection. DSL and Cable Modem, are typically capable of transmitting 512 kilobits per second (Kbit/s) or more, approximately nine times the speed of a modem using a standard digital telephone line.

Dial-up modems are generally only capable of a maximum bit rate of 56 Kbit/s (kilobits per second) and require the full use of a telephone line, whereas broadband technologies supply at least double this speed and generally without disrupting telephone use.

Speeds are defined in terms of maximum download because several common consumer broadband technologies such as ADSL are "asymmetric" supporting much slower maximum upload speeds than download.

The standard broadband technologies in most areas are DSL and cable modems.  Newer technologies in use include VDSL and pushing optical fiber connections closer to the subscriber in both telephone and cable plants.  Fiber optic communication, while only recently being used, has played a crucial role in enabling Broadband Internet access by making transmission of information over larger distances much more cost-effective than copper wire technology.

In a few areas not served by cable or ADSL, community organizations have begun to install Wi-Fi networks, and in some cities and towns local governments are installing municipal Wi-Fi networks. As of 2007, high speed mobile Internet access has become available at the consumer level in some countries, using the HSDPA and EV-DO technologies. The newest technology being deployed for mobile and stationary broadband access is WiMAX.