What’s worse than tech jargon? Not knowing what the jargon means! Our short tech word dictionary explains key words to help you get online through home or mobile internet.
Broadband:
Is a fast internet connection to your home, workplace, or mobile
Data:
The amount of information transferred over the internet. Everything you do online uses data – some less (like documents), some more (like high definition videos). Your home internet and mobile phone plan will include a certain amount of data.
Mobile data:
Internet that can be used wherever your smartphone is. Your mobile phone plan will include a certain amount of data that you can use.
Wi-Fi:
The internet connection that your devices (like your tablet, computer or mobile phone) can use without needing to be connected by cables. You may have connected to Wi-Fi in a cafe, hotel, workplace or restaurant!
Modem:
This device is what brings the internet from your provider into a connection you can use in your home.
Router:
A device that takes the internet connection from your modem and spreads the connection to all your devices so you can connect to the internet.
NBN:
This is Australia’s National Broadband Network. They sell their high speed home internet to internet companies who offer NBN plans.
NBN connection types:
These are the different ways you can connect to the NBN. The connection type you can use depends on where you live. The fastest connection type is Fibre to the Premises (FTTP).
Speed:
How fast your internet is. Think about how you use the internet. Do you watch movies, video call people, or do you just read the news? This will help you decide how much internet speed you need!
Wi-Fi network:
This is the name of the internet connection at home or at work that you want to use to get online.
Wi-Fi password:
This is the secret code word or phrase you use to connect to your home internet.
Wi-Fi extender:
A device that connects to your Wi-Fi network and extends it so you can connect in more places around your house.
Hotspot:
This is how you can connect your other devices like your laptop or tablet to your mobile phone internet.
Keep learning
The Good Things website has more information on how to be safe online.
Our thanks to our Get Online Week 2025 Supporting Partner Aussie Broadband for their collaboration on these tips. Visit aubb.me/guidetotheinternet for more information.
Use the button below to download and print out an A4 version of this tipsheet.