Glossary: Common broadband and fibre terms explained

Not sure what a certain internet term means? This glossary explains the most common broadband and fibre-related terms in plain English. Whether you’re reading your plan, troubleshooting a connection, or preparing for installation, these definitions are here to help.

The amount of data your connection can handle at once. More bandwidth means more devices can stream, browse, or game at the same time without slowing down.

A router setting that turns off routing and WiFi features so another device can manage your network instead. Usually used for mesh systems or advanced setups. For more information, see our Bridge mode vs router mode article.

Congestion happens when lots of people use the internet at the same time, which can slow things down for everyone. It’s most common during busy hours, like in the evening.

Rural Fibre Co monitors the network and works to prevent congestion early, helping to keep speeds steady and reliable for all users.

A dynamic IP address is one that can change over time. At Splice, most residential customers are connected through Carrier Grade NAT (CG-NAT), which means multiple users share a single public IP address.

This setup works well for general internet use like browsing, streaming, and video calls. However, it may not support certain services that need direct incoming connections, such as hosting a server or using some remote access tools.

If you need a unique, public-facing IP address, you can request a static IP.

This means the fibre optic cable runs all the way to your home, rather than stopping at a nearby node or cabinet. FTTP is the fastest and most reliable type of internet connection currently available. Unlike Fixed Wireless or Satellite, which rely on radio signals and can be affected by distance or weather, FTTP delivers high-speed data directly via fibre.

Latency is the time it takes for data to travel between your device and the server you’re connected to. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms). Lower latency means quicker responses — which makes things like gaming, video calls, and live apps feel smoother.

The maximum size of a packet that can be sent over your connection. Normally left at the default value. Changing this is only useful in very specific troubleshooting cases.

This is the box installed inside your home where the fibre line ends and your router connects. At Splice, we provide a combined unit that includes WiFi, so you only need one device.

Packet loss means some bits of information get lost while being sent over the internet. When that happens, you might notice your video freezing, voices cutting out on a call, or your game lagging.

A setting that lets devices outside your home network connect to specific devices inside it, such as a game console or security camera. See our port forwarding guide for more.

A user-configurable feature that helps prioritise certain types of traffic, like video calls or gaming, so they run more smoothly even when the network is busy.

Service Class tells us whether your home already has fibre installed. It’s how we know if a technician needs to visit to install fibre and the NTD/ONU, or if we can simply activate your connection remotely.

An IP address that does not change. Useful for running servers or remote access tools. Available from Splice on request - see our Static IP article for more details.

Used by the fibre network to manage traffic. Already configured for you by Rural Fibre Co. Best left unchanged unless advised by support.

Need help understanding any of these?
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