What speed does a standard 'Ethernet' connection operate at?

A standard Ethernet connection operates at a speed of 10 Mbps. This speed is representative of the original Ethernet technology, which was introduced in the 1980s. The 10 Mbps speed is often referred to as "10Base-T," indicating that it uses twisted-pair cabling (such as Category 3 cables).

While Ethernet technology has evolved significantly over the years, leading to higher speeds like Fast Ethernet (100 Mbps), Gigabit Ethernet (1 Gbps), and beyond, the foundational standard for Ethernet was established at 10 Mbps. Understanding this context is crucial for grasping the development and advancements in networking technologies. Each subsequent iteration, including 100 Mbps and higher speeds, builds upon the original Ethernet framework but serves specific use cases that require enhanced performance.