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Other contributors have said "What is the modem and what does it do?" is the same question as "What is a modem?". If you believe that these are not asking the same thing and should be answered differently, click here.


Traditionally, a modem (short for modulator-demodulator) is a device that converts a digital signal into an analog one, and converts an analog one back into a digital one. This was most commonly used over a POTS telephone line to connect two computers together, either for online gameplay, accessing a BBS, or internet access (dial-up internet).

Nowadays, the term modem also refers to some other devices that help connect computers over a long distance, whether or not they actually convert digital signals to analog or analog to digital. Cable modems, DSL modems, and satellite modems are examples of such devices.

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First answer by Mee. Last edit by Idisjunction. Contributor trust: 560 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 311 [recommend question].

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