WASHINGTON -- The number of broadband users in the U.S. nearly tripled in the past two and a half years to more than 48 million subscribers, according to a report released Thursday by the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
High-speed lines providing connectivity of more than 200Kbps in at least one direction almost tripled from June 2001 to December 2003, from 9.6 million lines to 28.2 million lines, according to the FCC report. The number of subscribers to advanced services providing connection speeds of more than 200Kbps in both directions has more than tripled since the FCC's last report, from 5.9 million lines in June 2001 to 20.3 million lines in December 2003.
Cable modem and DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) services provided the vast majority of advanced services lines, with cable representing 75.3 percent and DSL representing 14.9 percent. The percentage of cable lines increased from the 2001 report, when 56 percent of broadband lines were cable, according to the FCC.
About 18.1 million residential and small business customers subscribed to the faster advanced services lines in late 2003, compared to 4.3 million lines in 2001, according to the FCC.
As of December 2003, only 6.8 percent of U.S. ZIP codes reported no high-speed lines, compared to 22.2 percent of ZIP codes with no reported lines in June 2001. There has also been significant growth in the percent of ZIP codes reporting four or more providers of high-speed lines, from 27.5 percent in June 2001 to 46.3 percent in December 2003.
The report shows the U.S. has "turned the corner on the digital migration," FCC Chairman Michael Powell said. "This country finds its greatest strength in its diversity," Powell said in a statement. "Today's report shows that America's broadband future is built on the most diverse -- and therefore strongest -- foundation possible. It describes a marketplace of increasing choice built upon multiple broadband platforms."
But Commissioner Michael Copps noted that the U.S. is ranked seventh among nations in broadband penetration. In Japan and South Korea, consumers can get speeds of more than 8,000Kbps for similar prices that U.S. customers pay for much slower speeds, he said. "Why ... is the FCC still collecting data about 200Kbps service and calling it broadband?" he said in a statement.
Copps called for a comprehensive U.S. strategy to improve broadband services.
Get the independent advice and expertise you need to support a virtual workforce.
The increase in Linux popularity has increased the frequency and sophistication of malware attacks. Read this 2 page white paper now to learn how you can protect your Linux environment with real-time protection that is certified by all major Linux vendors.
Download now »
Ensuring acceptable application delivery will become even more difficult over the next few years. As a result, IT organizations need to ensure that the approach that they take to resolving the current application delivery challenges can scale to support the emerging challenges. This handbook elaborates on the key tasks associated with planning, optimization, management and control and provides decision criteria to help IT organizations choose appropriate solutions.
Download now »
A common misconception is that mid-range storage requirements are dramatically different than that of a larger enterprise. Mid-range storage users may require less capacity, but they have similar functionality and management requirements. This ESG paper examines mid-range storage needs and reviews a new solution that adjusts size while retaining value, performance and functionality.
Download now »
Sign up to receive Networking Resource Alerts
Recommend This
