bits per second

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

bits per second
    n 1: (computer science) the rate at which data is transferred
         (as by a modem) [syn: {bits per second}, {bps}]

from The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (8 July 2008)

bits per second
bps

   <communications, unit> (bps, b/s) The unit in which {data
   rate} is measured.

   For example, a {modem}'s data rate is usually measured in
   {kilobits} per second.  In 1996, the maximum modem speed for
   use on the {PSTN} was 33.6 kbps, rising to 56 kbps in 1997.

   Note that kilo- (k), mega- (M), etc. in data rates denote
   powers of 1000, not 1024.

   (2002-03-23)