Broadband

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By the year 2002, it was estimated that 50% of American homes, and 40% of homes in the UK, had access to the internet. The rapid expansion of internet services has fuelled the demand for high speed connections. Various broadband technologies have been proposed to address the problem. The transition from a voice based network to a predominantly data based one is ongoing and some would argue that it will take a long time for the UK to make the transition to full broadband.

The primary method proposed for bringing broadband to the home is the Digital Subscriber Line family of protocols. DSL modems are significantly faster than traditional telephone line modems, delivering 512 kilobits per second as opposed to 56 kilobits per second in the older lines. Broadband services may also be delivered through cable modems and ultimately satellite and wireless. The majority of these technologies are 'always-on', meaning that there is no need to make a connection as with a telephony modem.

The expansion of broadband to the home is expected to prompt many new services made possible by the higher data rates. The chief application amongst these is video on demand, and this is expected to be the driver for customers to purchase broadband. However, the 'always-on' nature of DSL modems means that data can be transferred on a continuous basis between the provider and the customer, meaning that data logging, telemetry, and remote control of appliances will become feasible. The traditionally low uptake of broadband in the UK doubled during the course of this project, as market forces led to cheaper access for many in the UK.