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Broadband Connectivity on the Rise – FCC Says

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released the latest data on 2006 high-speed Internet connectivity in the U.S., and as in recent years, data show that high-speed Internet connections are on the rise.

These finding are the result of FCC-mandated bi-yearly reporting by all facilities-based broadband providers. Each company is required to share basic information about the services they offer and the customers they attract – pursuant to the FCC’s local telephone competition and broadband gathering program.

The Results of the Report

The FCC report released statistics for two types of high-speed Internet connections: High-speed lines (connections that deliver services at speeds exceeding 200 Kilobits per second (kbps) in at least one direction) and advance service lines (which deliver at least 200 kbps service speeds in both directions).

High-Speed Lines

The results were not surprising. In the second half of 2005, high-speed lines increased by 18%, from 42.4 million to 50.2 million users. Overall for the year, high-speed line connections increased by 33% or 12.3 million lines. The report also showed that of the 50.2 million total high-speed users, 42.9 million were residential customers. The type of high-speed line varied, with 57.5% subscribing to cable modem service, 40.5% using asymmetrical DSL (ADSL) connections, 0.5% using fiber connections, and 1.2% using other technologies, such as satellite, terrestrial fixed, mobile wireless or electric power lines.

In addition, the report noted that ADSL lines exceeded the increase in cable modem connections for the first time ever, as ADSL lines increased by 5.7 million in 2005 while cable modem service increased by 4.2 million.

Advance Service Lines

Advance service lines increased by 15% during the second half of 2005 (from 37.3 million to 42.8 million) and increased by 48% or 13.9 million lines for the year. Residential customers accounted for 39.3 million advanced service lines and similar to high-speed lines, the type of line varied. Cable modem service represented 62.4%, ADSL connections accounted for 36.2%, SDSL or traditional wirelines claimed 0.3% and the remaining 0.5% used other technologies, such as satellite, terrestrial fixed, mobile wireless or electric power lines.

Geographic Coverage

The FCC also revealed that high-speed DSL connections were available to an estimated 78% of households nationwide. High-speed cable modem service was available in 93% of households.

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