This week, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released new data on high-speed connections to the internet in the United States. Twice a year, all facilities-based broadband providers are required to report to the Commission basic information about their service offerings and types of customers pursuant to the FCC’s local telephone competition and broadband data gathering program (FCC Form 477). Statistics released this week reflect data as of June 30, 2007.
High-Speed Lines – 200+ KPBS Asymmetrical Communications
• High-speed lines increased by 22% during the first half of 2007, from 82.8 million to 100.9 million lines in service, following a 27% increase, from 65.3 million to 82.8 million lines, during the second half of 2006. For the full twelve-month period ending June 30, 2007, high-speed lines increased by 55% from 65.3 million to 100.9 million (or 35.7 million lines) compared to a 54% increase, from 42.5 million to 65.3 million lines (or 22.8 million lines), in the twelve-month period ending June 30, 2006.
• Of the 100.9 million total high-speed lines reported as of June 30, 2007, 65.9 million served primarily residential end users. Cable modem service represented 50.6% of these lines while 37.5% were asymmetric DSL (ADSL) connections, 0.2% were symmetric DSL (SDSL) or traditional wireline connections, 1.7% were fiber connections to the end user premises, and 10.0% used other types of technology including satellite, terrestrial fixed or mobile wireless (on a licensed or unlicensed basis), and electric power line.
• High-speed ADSL increased by 2.1 million lines during the first half of 2007, fiber connections increased by 0.4 million lines, and cable modem service increased by 2.4 million lines. For the full twelve-month period ending June 30, 2007, ADSL increased by 4.9 million lines, fiber connections increased by 0.7 million lines, and cable modem service increased by 5.2 million lines.
Advanced Services Lines – 200 KBPS+ Symmetrical Communications
• Advanced services lines, which deliver services at speeds exceeding 200 kbps in both directions, increased by 16% during the first half of 2007, from 59.8 million to 69.6 million lines, compared to a 17% increase, from 51.1 million to 59.8 million lines, during the second half of 2006. For the full twelve-month period ending June 30, 2007, advanced services lines increased 36% from 51.1 million to 69.6 million (or 18.5 million lines).
• Of the 69.6 million advanced services lines reported as of June 30, 2007, 59.8% were at least 2.5 mbps in the faster direction and 40.2% were slower than 2.5 mbps in the faster direction.
• Of the 69.6 million advanced services lines, 61.1 million served primarily residential end users. This means that 8.5 million advanced service lines are provided to businesses and others. Cable modem service represented 53.9% of these lines while 34.1% were ADSL connections, 0.2% were SDSL or traditional wireline connections, 1.9% were fiber connections to the end user premises, and 10.0% used other types of technology including satellite, terrestrial fixed or mobile wireless (on a licensed or unlicensed basis), and electric power line.
In doing your analysis of these figures, note that for FCC reporting purposes, high-speed lines encompass advanced services lines. High-speed lines are connections that deliver services at speeds exceeding 200 kilobits per second (kbps) in at least one direction, while advanced services lines are connections that deliver services at speeds exceeding 200 kbps in both directions. The report can also be downloaded from the Wireline Competition Bureau Statistical Reports internet site at www.fcc.gov/wcb/stats.
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