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") ![](/images/getstarted-writetous-navbar-int_ZY7MOf.webp) ### Write to us Fill out our request form. Our experts will respond as soon as possible. [Write to us](/en/request-information "Write to us") ### Bandwidth [Definition and a unit of bandwidth](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/bandwidth#section-3) [The importance of bandwidth in analogue and digital telephony](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/bandwidth#section-4) In the strictest sense of the term, bandwidth is the margin between a minimum and maximum frequency. However, in the data and communications technology world, the term bandwidth is usually used as a synonym for data transfer rate or transmission speed. ### Definition and a unit of bandwidth In the original meaning of bandwidth the units of measurement was the hertz (Hz) and multiples thereof, such as kilohertz or megahertz. In terms of data transfer rate, bandwidth is a measure of how much data can be transmitted via a given medium, during a particular unit of time, with the unit being bits per second. Due to the high data transmission rates in modern networks, however, kilobits, megabits and gigabits per second are more commonly used units. ### The importance of bandwidth in analogue and digital telephony The bandwidth of an [analogue telephone](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/analogue-telephone-lines) is located between the lower limit frequency of 300 Hz and the upper limit frequency of 3,400 hertz (a bandwidth of 3.1 kilohertz), which is high enough quality to transmit a voice that can be understood. However, high-quality HD telephony uses a wider range. In digital telephony, the typical data rate of an uncompressed call is 64 kilobits per second. With [Voice-over-IP telephony](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/voice-over-ip) further data is needed for the communication protocols and the overhead, so around 100 kilobits per second, in both directions of transmission, should be expected for a VoIP call. Thanks to modern compression methods and codecs, the data rate needed can be reduced considerably. This means that modern systems are able to transfer calls with a bandwidth requirement of just eight kilobits per second or less. If a [telephone system is to be operated as a cloud service](/en/products/cloudya) through an Internet connection, the bandwidth of the connection is the main factor in determining the maximum possible number of parallel calls. It is important that sufficient bandwidth is available for the total number of possible simultaneous voice channels, in both directions of transmission. With [ADSL](/en/get-started/cloud-telephony/lexicon/knowledge-base-detail/adsl) connections, which have low upload data rates compared to the download data rates, the upload bandwidth is the limiting factor of such a system. ### Related Articles ### Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) PSTN stands for Public Switched Telephone Network and is generally known as the traditional phone network. It has been connecting people since the late 19th century, at first over copper telephone lines and later using fibre optic cables, satellites, and undersea cables. All of these are interconnected by switching centres which establish a dedicated connection – or circuit – between callers. Voice signals can then travel over this circuit. When the caller speaks into his handset, the caller’s phone translates the sound waves into electrical signals. These are transmitted over the PSTN (converted to optical signals for part of the way, so they can travel via fibre optic cables), and the phone at the other end of the line then translates the received signals back into sound. The arrival of **Voice over IP (VoIP)** technology – essentially, transmitting voice calls over the Internet rather than the PSTN – challenged traditional telephony and fundamentally changed how people communicate. 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