Does your cable modem really make a difference? Here's what sets DOCSIS 3.0, 3.1 and the new 4.0 modems apart.

Internet access from the cable TV companies. The coaxial cable coming into the home or building is split into one line for the cable modem and another line for the TV set-top box. See cable modem.

A device used to connect one or more computers to a cable company's Internet service. The same coaxial cable coming into the house or office also provides TV and voice over IP (VoIP) service.