The Need for Speed
Intel's AnyPoint Home Network, as noted elsewhere on this site, allows users to connect PCs by plugging them into a home's existing phone jacks, sending and receiving data at up to 10 megabits per second. That's 180 times faster than a 56 kilobits-per-second modem. 802.11a and 802.11g wireless networks support data transfers up to 54Mbps (well, theoretically, at least) and, in some cases, even higher rates.
But this speed pales before some of the new technologies coming in the months and years ahead. On this page, we'll track significant developments in Broadband Networking.
Canada Ahead of U.S.
Here is a list showing the broadband penetration as a percentage of Internet households and of May 2003:
(Source: NY Times, 05/05/03)
In July 2003, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ruled that big Telcos like Bell and Telus must offer ADSL service even when local phone service is provided by another company. Effectively this ruling splits local phone and net services, opening both up for competition and lower prices. Press release here. (See Slashdot for more on this story....)
Faster Technologies
Forbes reports on a company called Advent Networks that says it has created a technology that can push up to 40 megabits of bandwidth over cable lines -- and deliver it at a cost comparable with current cable-based bandwidth pricing. Better still, the technology, known as UltraBand, does not share bandwidth as current cable modems do, but allegedly allows each user a dedicated 40-megabit-per-second connection to the Internet.
Meanwhile, back in Dec. '99, company called Media Fusion announced that it had obtained a patent for a new technology that, it claims, is capable of transmitting exobits--that's a "1" with eighteen zeros after it--per second though standard power lines. Now that's bandwidth. News.com has details.
Test Your Internet Connection Speed:
For Further Reading:
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