Neighboorhood bandwidth

How does a neighboorhood share bandwidth? I'm trying to use my networking concepts in a real-world situation.

Thanks.

Welcome to Firewall.cx, xSaintx. Could you describe the situation in a little more detail for us?

Well, I'm trying to understand how a generic neighborhood is usually laid out by the ISP for cable access. The terminology might be off but I access the internet with cable-access. I have a router hooked to a modem and then to what? A box outside that connects to the top of power lines back to the ISP central office? At what point is the bandwidth divided up? I'm really unsure as the books I've read do not go cover this example.

Any light to be shed on this would be appreciated.

Anyone?

I was hoping someone with more knowledge of this area to pick this one up, but I'll have a go.
Let me juxt check one thing: When you say 'cable', do you mean cable as in the type of connection you get from a cable TV company, or do you mean ADSL (which comes down your phone line)?

Cable from TV company - Not any form of DSL.