In the historical modem list, which modem has the highest bandwidth?

In the historical modem list, which modem has the highest bandwidth?

• A. Bell 101 @ 110 bits/s
• B. Modem 1200 @ 1.2 kbit/s
• C. VDSL @ 52 Mbit/s
• D. MDSL @ 2.32 Gbit/s

Answer: (D)

When comparing modems, focus on the data rate or bandwidth—the amount of data that can be sent each second. The higher the rate, the higher the bandwidth. These options span different units, so convert to a common measure to compare. Bell 101 runs at 110 bits per second. The 1200 modem is 1.2 kilobits per second (1,200 bits/s). VDSL delivers 52 megabits per second (52,000,000 bits/s). MDSL delivers 2.32 gigabits per second, which is 2.32 billion bits per second (about 2320 megabits per second). Clearly, 2.32 Gbit/s is far greater than 52 Mbit/s, 1.2 kbit/s, or 110 bits/s. So the modem with the highest bandwidth is the one offering 2.32 Gbit/s.

When comparing modems, focus on the data rate or bandwidth—the amount of data that can be sent each second. The higher the rate, the higher the bandwidth.

These options span different units, so convert to a common measure to compare. Bell 101 runs at 110 bits per second. The 1200 modem is 1.2 kilobits per second (1,200 bits/s). VDSL delivers 52 megabits per second (52,000,000 bits/s). MDSL delivers 2.32 gigabits per second, which is 2.32 billion bits per second (about 2320 megabits per second).

Clearly, 2.32 Gbit/s is far greater than 52 Mbit/s, 1.2 kbit/s, or 110 bits/s. So the modem with the highest bandwidth is the one offering 2.32 Gbit/s.