Note: Many topics at this site are reduced versions of the text in "The Encyclopedia of Networking and Telecommunications." Search results will not be as extensive as a search of the book's CD-ROM.

Residential broadband refers to consumer access services rather than business data services. Note that the topic "Home Networking" discusses networking schemes for inside the home. Residential broadband is about access technologies between the home and service providers-specifically, Internet access.

One of the defining features of RBB (residential broadband) networks has been the need to support video services and, more recently, home entertainment services such as virtual reality gaming, downloadable music and video, and multimedia presentations. Other services that benefit from broadband include VoIP (Voice over IP), home schooling, SOHO (small office, home office), and more. There are more than 100 million potential residential customers.