What does a modem do?

A modem plays a critical role in data communication by converting digital signals from a computer into analog signals suitable for transmission over telephone lines or radio waves, and vice versa. This conversion process allows for effective communication between digital devices and network infrastructure that may only handle analog signals.

For instance, when you send data from your computer to the internet, the modem takes the digital data (which is expressed in binary code) and converts it to an analog format that can travel over the existing communication lines. Similarly, when receiving data from the internet, the modem converts incoming analog signals back into digital form so that your computer can process and understand the information.

Understanding this functionality is essential, especially in environments where both digital devices and traditional communication lines coexist. This highlights the importance of a modem as an intermediary that enables seamless communication across different types of systems.