Rural internet terms can be confusing because providers, regulators, installers, and customers often use different language. This guide explains the most important words in plain English and links to the full glossary for more definitions.
Key terms to know
- Download speed: How quickly your connection receives data.
- Upload speed: How quickly your connection sends data.
- Latency: The delay in the connection, often noticed in calls, gaming, and remote desktops.
- Backhaul: The connection from a local tower or network node back to the wider internet.
- Line of sight: A clear enough radio path between equipment and a tower or sky area.
- Data cap: A monthly data allowance or threshold that may affect cost or speed.
Use the full glossary for a longer list of rural internet terms, including CPE, fibre drop, fair-use policy, throttling, tower sector, geostationary satellite, low-earth-orbit satellite, mesh Wi-Fi, and point-to-point link.