Household Broadband Access Nearly Doubles

A new study released this week found U.S. households with broadband access - via cable modem, digital subscriber line (DSL), or satellite - have nearly doubled in the last six months. According to the twice-annual study by Statistical Research, and as reported by Inside.com, 9.4 million U.S. homes (of the 100-plus million total) have high-speed access, up from 5.2 million last fall.

The study found that cable modem continued its dominance as the preferred deliverer of broadband. The 6.6 million cable modem users represent 70 percent of the homes with broadband access, and 12 percent of all Web-enabled homes. The remaining 30 percent choose DSL (3 million homes, representing 5 percent of all Web-enabled homes), with satellite broadband numbers being negligible.

According to Statistical Research, just six months ago, only 11 percent of online homes had any broadband connection, although the 70-30 ratio of cable versus DSL users stayed roughly the same.

As for demographic and behavior patterns of broadband users, the study found, not surprisingly, that most users earn $50,000 or more. Those who had broadband access were also nearly 50 percent more likely to buy something online when compared to homes with slower connections.

In a related story, a joint hearing of the House Small Business Committee today heard testimony around the topic "Eliminating the Digital Divide - Who Will Wire Rural America?" The purpose was to explore technologies used to deliver broadband services to rural areas, and determine barriers hindering widespread adoption of high-speed access.

Mike Cook, vice president of Spaceway, a satellite communications company and a division of Hughes Network Systems, did his best to convince the committee of the viability of broadband satellite access. "The only technology that ubiquitously provide cost-effective broadband access across the entire U.S. is satellite technology," said Cook.

Others might disagree, including the Regional Bell Operating Companies (RBOCs) who provide more than 75 percent of DSL access to U.S. households. The RBOCs support a bill, currently in the House Energy and Commerce Committee, that would help them gain further access to rural households.