Glossary of terms

The ratio of broadband users per connection. Once a broadband signal leaves your home, it joins a line connecting your neighbours and others to the internet. The more people using it at once, the slower it can become. A contention ratio of 50:1 (typical for ADSL broadband) means there are up to 50 people on one connection. This is often why you experience slower speeds during peak usage times. Business broadband may be uncontended, so companies get a faster and more reliable connection without peak time congestion.