External Modem

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What Does External Modem Mean?

An external modem is a network device that is in a self-contained enclosure external to a computer. This is in contrast to an internal modem that is contained on a printed circuit board with a computer.

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External modems have lights indicating various modem functions and they can easily be moved from one computer system to another. The do, however, require one COM or USB port to operate.

Techopedia Explains External Modem

External modems are generally more expensive than internal modems, but they do offer portability between different computers.

Some types of external modems include:

  • USB
  • Cable
  • DSL
  • External wireless modems
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Margaret Rouse
Technology Specialist
Margaret Rouse
Technology Specialist

Margaret is an award-winning writer and educator known for her ability to explain complex technical topics to a non-technical business audience. Over the past twenty years, her IT definitions have been published by Que in an encyclopedia of technology terms and cited in articles in the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine, and Discovery Magazine. She joined Techopedia in 2011. Margaret’s idea of ​​a fun day is to help IT and business professionals to learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages.