• by Mark Kecko  @scoopseven, May 24, 2002

Broadband technology has been around for some time but has been slow to take off. In August 2000, about 147 million people had Internet access in the U.S. Of that only about 5 million were broadband subscribers. In 2001 those numbers rose to 166 million online, of which 11 million had broadband access. What makes broadband so special, and why have only 6 percent of U.S. Internet users taken advantage of it?

Two things to know about broadband Internet: First, the transfer of data on a broadband connection is digital rather than analog. Your old 56k modem took your PC’s digital information and converted it to analog so it could be transmitted over a phone line to another computer. Likewise for the return trip. A broadband connection circumvents this constant conversion. Digital signals are also much less error-prone than their analog counterparts.

Second, because it makes the transfer of data between computers so efficient, broadband can deliver information 9 to 50 times faster, without tying up your phone line.

Broadband Internet access comes in five flavors: Fiber optic is the fastest broadband technology and the one most often used by medium-to-large businesses, but it’s very expensive. DTV and satellite are problematic, because they are one-way connections.

Cable was the first broadband technology to hit the big time and it remains the most prevalent. It’s offered by a service that’s already installed in most homes; installation and configuration is a snap; and the cost is comparable to an AOL subscription and that second phone line you don’t really need. With cable, you’re always online. One drawback, though: Cable broadband is a shared connection, so the more people in your immediate area who connect with it, the slower it gets.

DSL also provides users with a dedicated Internet connection. The speed is invariable regardless of how many people are serviced. But availability becomes an issue with DSL: it requires that a subscriber be within a certain distance of a central office.

Revolution or not, broadband technologies are growing. Before too long there will be central offices everywhere in the U.S. to provide people with DSL; cable subscribers will be joining for its ease and reliability; and DTV will provide interactive entertainment during sporting events and fashion shows. Faster Internet connection, more enjoyable user experience, and a greater number of page views ultimately equals an increase in ads served.