What type of signal does a modem convert?

A modem is a device specifically designed to facilitate communication over telephone lines or other communication mediums by converting signals for different types of transmission. In this context, the correct answer is that a modem converts digital signals to analog signals.

When data is transmitted over the internet, it typically exists in a digital format (the form that computers and digital devices use). However, traditional communication channels, such as telephone lines, transmit signals in an analog format. Thus, the modem's primary function is to take the digital signals generated by a computer and modulate them into analog signals suitable for transmission over these lines.

Once the signals reach their destination, they are demodulated back into digital format so that the receiving computer can interpret the data effectively. This process is essential for enabling digital devices to communicate through infrastructure designed primarily for analog signals.

This understanding helps clarify the role of a modem in network communications and its necessity in facilitating a seamless connection between digital devices and analog transmission mediums.