WebProNews

Tag: Broadband

  • FCC Forms Working Group To Improve Broadband

    Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski has introduced a Universal Service Working Group aimed at providing a collaborative approach to the FCC’s reform of universal service programs to better support broadband.

    Chairman-Genachowski The working group will be led by Sharon Gillett, Chief of the Wireline Competition Bureau, and will include participation by the Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, the International Bureau, the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Managing Director, the Office of Strategic Planning, the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau, and the Wireline Competition Bureau. 

    "Modernizing universal service programs to bring the benefits of broadband to all Americans is one of the FCC’s top priorities and a key pillar of the National Broadband Plan," said FCC Chairman Genachowski.

    "This agency-wide effort reflects the FCC’s commitment to smart and fiscally prudent policies that eliminate inefficiencies and target universal service support effectively to have the greatest possible impact. The Universal Service Working Group will help ensure that the universal service programs meet America’s economic, health, and educational communications needs in the 21st century."

    In order to streamline the process for meeting with staff regarding Universal Service issues related to the broadband action agenda, the Commission has created a Webpage for requesting meetings.
     

  • Broadband Continues To Drive Online Video Viewing

    High definition television, DVRs, and the Internet are creating higher quality and better experiences for consumers, leading to an increase in the amount of videos Americans watch, according to a new Nielsen Three Screen Report.

    "Consumers are driven by the convenience and quality that today’s technology now enables," said Matt O’Grady, Executive Vice President, Audience Measurement, Nielsen.

    "New mobile devices and enhanced TV quality allow viewers to engage in more content than ever before."

    More than half of U.S. TV households now have HDTV, up 189 percent from the first quarter of 2008, and more than one-third have DVRs, up 51 percent. High-speed broadband access, now in 63.5 percent of homes, has created a better user experience for watching online videos and nearly a quarter of households have smartphones, allowing people to "place shift" and watch video anywhere.

    Nielsen-Three-Screen-Report

    Despite the common perception that viewers of videos on mobile phones are mostly teens, more than half (55%) are adults aged 25-49. While mobile online video viewing is still fairly limited, year over year growth is notable at 51.2%.

    TV is still the most popular screen of choice: viewers watched 2 more hours of TV per month in the first quarter of 2010 compared to the same period a year prior (158:25 vs. 156:24).  They are also continuing to simultaneously use the Internet while watching TV, with the average time spent doing both activities up 9.8% to 3 hours and 41 minutes.

    AS of the first quarter of 2010 the 292 million people in the U.S. with TV spend on average 158 hours, 25 minutes each month watching television. Also in the first quarter 138 million people watched video on the Internet spending on average 3 hours, 10 minutes.

    When it comes to mobile video, 20.3 million watched mobile video in the U.S., spending on average 3 hours and 37 minutes each month.
     

     

  • Majority Of Americans Don

    Majority Of Americans Don

    The majority (80%) of broadband users in the United States do not know the speed of their broadband connection, according to a new survey released today by the Federal Communications Commission.

    "Speed matters. The more broadband subscribers know about what speeds they need and what speeds they get, the more they can make the market work and push faster speeds over broadband networks," said FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski.

    The survey found no demographic group had good awareness of their home broadband speed. The survey did find some demographic differences with 71 percent of men not knowing what speed they are getting, while the figure is 90 percent for women.

    FCC-Broadband

    When it comes to age, 73 percent of those between the ages of 18 and 29 do not know their home broadband speed, while the number increases to 88 percent of people age 54 and over,

    Most Americans are satisfied with the broadband speed they are getting. Ninety-one percent of broadband users say they are "very" or "somewhat" satisfied with the speed they get at home.

    The FCC is asking for 10,000 volunteers to participate in a study to measure home broadband speed in the U.S. Hardware will be installed in the homes of the volunteers to measure the performance of all the major Internet service providers in the U.S.

    Anyone can register as a volunteer for the national test at www.TestMyISP.com.  The study results will be published in a "State of Broadband" report to be released later this year.

     

     

  • Broadband Making Gains In Rural Markets

    Broadband Making Gains In Rural Markets

    Broadband penetration in rural markets in U.S. has experienced double-digit growth in the past year, driven largely by regional providers continuing to increase their market share in these areas, according to a new report by comScore.

    "The recent announcement of the government’s national broadband plan demonstrates the increasing importance of broadband expansion as a country-wide initiative, with rural areas playing an important role in this expansion," said Brian Jurutka, comScore senior vice president.

    "Although rural markets have witnessed significant increases in broadband penetration during the past few years, these areas still lag behind the penetration rates of metropolitan areas. As the primary drivers of rural broadband growth, regional ISPs have the opportunity to increase their market share by delivering broadband to the millions of households still relying on dial-up services."

    Rural-Broadband

    Driven by greater price competition, increased consumer demand, and growth in bandwidth-intense activities like video streaming and peer-to-peer sharing, broadband penetration continues to make gains across rural markets. Broadband penetration in rural markets reached 81 percent in Q4 2009, representing a significant increase of 13 percentage points in the past year.

    Regional ISPs ranked among the fastest-growing providers across several rural U.S. markets. In Maine, TDS Telecom experienced a 101 percent increase in the number of broadband households, while in Arkansas Windstream Communications recorded a 57 percent gain. Frontier Communications led as the fastest-growing ISP in Nebraska (up 28 percent), Idaho (up 27 percent) and Alabama (up 26 percent).

    Rural-ISPs

    Regional service providers GCI and Bresnan Communications ranked as the leading service providers in the country’s three most rural markets (based on population density). GCI captured 61 percent of the broadband market in Alaska during Q4 2009, while Bresnan Communications reached 56 percent share in Wyoming and 52 percent share in Montana.

    "Often major ISPs need to focus their strategic operations in their largest and most profitable markets, which gives smaller regional providers the opportunity to establish strongholds in more rural areas while playing a key role in national broadband expansion," said Jurutka.
     

     

     

  • UN Launches Global Broadband Commission

    The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have announced the creation of a high-level Broadband Commission for Digital Development aimed at speeding the roll out of high speed broadband globally.

    The new Commission consists of 30 representatives from around the world, representing a wide range of business and social sectors. It is co-chaired by President Paul Kagame of Rwanda and Mr. Carlos Slim Hlu, Honorary Lifetime Chairman of Grupo Carso. ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Toure and UNESCO Director-General, Ms Irina Bokova, will serve as joint vice chairs.

    Dr-Toure "In the 21st century, affordable, ubiquitous broadband networks will be as critical to social and economic prosperity as networks like transport, water and power," said Dr. Toure.

    "Not only does broadband deliver benefits across every sector of society, but it also helps promote social and economic development, and will be key in helping us get the MDGs back on track."

    The Commission will meet in Geneva mid-year and present its findings in two reports. The first report will be based on input from the 30 representatives. The second report will be an in-depth research paper focused on measuring the social and economic benefits, evaluating different deployment  and financing models and looking at different technologies that can be used to bring maximum speeds and network reach at affordable prices.
     

  • Incentives Keep Broadband Customers Loyal

    Offering loyalty incentives, such as discounts on monthly fees, service upgrades and other benefits, provides a significant boost in customer satisfaction with fixed and mobile broadband Internet service providers (ISPs) in the UK, according to a new report by J.D. Power and Associates.

    Around 15 percent of fixed broadband customers and 16 percent of mobile broadband customers report having received incentives from their ISP to reward their continued loyalty.

    Among these fixed and mobile broadband customers, satisfaction averages more than 100 points higher than among customers who don’t receive loyalty incentives. Among fixed broadband customers, the difference is an average of 102 points on a 1,000-point scale (737 vs. 635, respectively) while the gap averages 107 points among mobile broadband customers (701 vs. 594, respectively).

    Mobile-Broadband-UK

    "While many Internet service providers offer discounts and rewards when customers initially sign up for or bundle services, incentives for ongoing loyalty have the greatest positive impact on overall satisfaction," said Stuart Crawford-Browne, senior manager of service industries research at J.D. Power and Associates.

    "Loyalty rewards provide an important and impactful opportunity for ISPs to differentiate themselves, particularly in the increasingly competitive market landscape in which rewards are becoming an expectation among customers."

    The report also found providing high levels of satisfaction with Internet service has a strong positive impact on recommendation rates. Among mobile broadband customers with the highest levels of satisfaction (averaging between 800 and 1,000) with their service provider, 67 percent said they would recommend their current ISP. This figure averages 64 percent among highly satisfied fixed broadband customers.

    In contrast, among the least satisfied customers (with satisfaction averaging 700 or lower), only 8 percent of mobile broadband customers and 9 percent of fixed broadband customers would recommend their ISP.

    "To keep customers satisfied, ISPs will need to focus on investing in infrastructure in the coming years," said Crawford-Browne. "Building networks with the ability to handle fast data transfer speeds will be important not only to customers, but also to businesses and, by extension, the economy as a whole."
     

     

  • Google Talks Next Steps for Fiber Network

    Update: Google has posted some info regarding the next steps for its fiber network as the submission deadline approaches today. Product Manager James Kelly says:

    Over the coming months, we’ll be reviewing the responses to determine where to build. As we narrow down our choices, we’ll be conducting site visits, meeting with local officials and consulting with third-party organizations. Based on a rigorous review of the data, we will announce our target community or communities by the end of the year.

    Of course, we’re not going to be able to build in every interested community — our plan is to reach a total of at least 50,000 and potentially up to 500,000 people with this experiment. Wherever we decide to build, we hope to learn lessons that will help improve Internet access everywhere.

    Original Article: Google announced today that is planning to build and test "ultra high-speed" broadband networks in a small number of trial locations around the U.S. This means Google will deliver Internet speeds of 100 times faster than what most Americans have access to now, according to the company.

    Google says it has the following things in mind:

    • Next generation apps: We want to see what developers and users can do with ultra high-speeds, whether it’s creating new bandwidth-intensive "killer apps" and services, or other uses we can’t yet imagine.
    • New deployment techniques: We’ll test new ways to build fiber networks, and to help inform and support deployments elsewhere, we’ll share key lessons learned with the world.
    • Openness and choice: We’ll operate an "open access" network, giving users the choice of multiple service providers. And consistent with our past advocacy, we’ll manage our network in an open, non-discriminatory and transparent way.

    "Like our WiFi network in Mountain View, the purpose of this project is to experiment and learn," says the company says. "Network providers are making real progress to expand and improve high-speed Internet access, but there’s still more to be done. We don’t think we have all the answers – but through our trial, we hope to make a meaningful contribution to the shared goal of delivering faster and better Internet for everyone."

    Google is putting out a request for information to help identify communities that are interested. They’re taking responses until March 26. Then they’ll announce the chosen communities. We’re awaiting response from Google on the criteria for how communities will be chosen.
     

    Related Articles:

    > White Spaces Officially Cleared For Wireless Broadband

    > Google Sees White Spaces Filling With Internet

    > Google, Verizon Weigh In On White Space Test

  • Mobile Subscriptions To Hit 5 Billion Globally In 2010

    The number of mobile phone subscribers is on track to increase from 4.6 billion to five billion globally by the end of 2010, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).

    The ITU says the increase is driven by advanced services and handsets in developed countries and growing adoption of mobile health services and mobile banking in the developing world.

    Dr-Hamadoun-Toure.jpg "Even during an economic crisis, we have seen no drop in the demand for communications services," says ITU Secretary-General Dr Hamadoun Tour, taking part in the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona this week, "and I am confident that we will continue to see a rapid uptake in mobile cellular services in particular in 2010, with many more people using their phones to access the internet."

    ITU expects to see the number of mobile broadband subscriptions climb to more than one billion during 2010, having surpassed 600 million by the end of 2009. With current growth rates, mobile Internet access is set to exceed access form desktop computers within the next five years.

    "Even the simplest, low-end mobile phone can do so much to improve healthcare in the developing world," adds Dr Tour.

    "Good examples include sending reminder messages to patient’s phones when they have a medical appointment, or need a pre-natal check-up. Or using SMS messages to deliver instructions on when and how to take complex medication such as anti-retrovirals or vaccines. It’s such a simple thing to do, and yet it saves millions of dollars – and can help improve and even save the lives of millions of people."
     

  • What Google Looks for in a Town for its Broadband Project

    As previously reported, Google is planning to build and test "ultra high-speed" broadband networks in select communities around the U.S. We contacted Google to try and find out a bit more about what criteria Google is looking for to make its selections for these trial locations.

    "Above all, we’re interested in deploying our network efficiently and quickly, and are hoping to identify interested community partners that will work with us to achieve this goal," Minnie Ingersoll, product manager on Google’s alternative access team tells WebProNews.

    "To that end, we’ll use our RFI [Request for Information] to identify interested communities and to assess local factors that will impact the efficiency and speed of our deployment, such as the level of community support, local resources, weather conditions, approved construction methods and local regulatory issues, says Ingersoll. "We will also take into account broadband availability and speeds that are already offered to users within a community."

    "The RFI is a first step – we plan to consult with local government organizations, as well as conduct site visits and meet with local officials, before announcing our final decisions, says Ingersoll.

    Google also pointed out to us that there are already a number of Facebook Groups popping up, based on communities looking to be chosen for Google’s project. The very fact that Google pointed them out means they must be paying attention.

    Buffalo Facebook Group

    Chapel Hill Facebook Group

    A number of organizations from the FCC to the Open Internet Coalition have weighed in on Google’s plans. "Big broadband creates big opportunities," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said in a statement. "This significant trial will provide an American testbed for the next generation of innovative, high-speed Internet apps, devices, and services. The FCC’s National Broadband Plan will build upon such private-sector initiatives and will include recommendations for facilitating and accelerating greater investment in broadband, creating jobs and increasing America’s global competitiveness."

    The National Association of Telecommunications Officers and Advisors said it applauds the move, and the Open Internet Coalition says Google’s initiative will spur innovation not only by app developers, but will help create a new field of ISPs that will create and sell new high-speed consumer services over the project. The organization’s Executive Director says  that it will "hopefully inject new life into the extinct third party ISP marketplace."

  • Global Mobile Broadband Traffic Up 72%

    Global Mobile Broadband Traffic Up 72%

    Worldwide mobile data bandwidth usage increased by 72 percent in the second half of 2009, according to a new report by Allot Communications.

    Applications such as YouTube and Skype are driving this continued momentum in mobile broadband growth. APAC leads the growth with 86%; EMEA posted 70% growth and the Americas 59%.

    The report found video to be the single most influential factor driving the need for increased mobile network capacity. P2P remains the biggest cause of cell congestion in the top five percent of cells, mobile broadband networks are still facing the same issues as fix networks– growing bandwidth demands, congestion, as well as finding ways to improve the user experience and to lessen the negative impact of a few subscribers on the network.

    Mobile-Apps

    Highlights from the report include:

     

    •     HTTP streaming continues to be the fastest growing application with a 99% increase; its global mobile broadband share grew by 50% between Q2 and Q4, 2009.
    •    YouTube accounted for 10% of global bandwidth during Q3 and Q4, 2009.
    •    FaceBook experienced tremendous growth of 180% during the second half of 2009.
    •    Skype is the undisputed VoIP traffic market leader, accounting for 77% of the global VoIP bandwidth; VoIP and IM applications have increased significantly by almost 47%.
    •    HTTP downloads grew by 73%, and have become a feasible alternative for massive file sharing.
    •    P2P is the single largest factor leading to cell congestion which accounts for 34% of bandwidth  utilization in the top 5% of cells.
       

    Related Articles:

    > Best Buy Now Installing Google Mobile Apps On Smartphones

    > Google Launches Analytics for Mobile Apps

    > Usage of Mobile Web and Apps Doubles in 2 Years

  • Internet Use In Hotels Up 50%

    Internet Use In Hotels Up 50%

    Internet use by both business and leisure guests at hotels increased more than 50 percent in 2009, according to a new report by iBAHN, an Internet service provider for 2,200 hotels globally.

    Hotel guests spent 60 percent more time online and downloaded 50 percent more data, based on tracked packet and session length information. This confirms the predictions from an iBAHN– commissioned, 2009 study of business travelers conducted by Ypartnership.

    iBAHN Ypartnership found more than two-thirds of frequent business travelers have downloaded music onto their computers (67%) while nearly 60 percent have downloaded video. More than half have downloaded news (54%) or entertainment (52%). Downloads of video and music consume considerably higher bandwidth and data than the average email or browsing session.

    "The implication of this trend for hoteliers is profound as it clearly points to the conclusion that the "free to guest" model of providing free access in all locations of the hotel at all times to all guests is economically unrealistic given guests’ differing bandwidth needs," iBAHN said.

    "Because costs for bandwidth continue to increase exponentially, hoteliers will continue to see higher overall expenses related to their broadband offering, without commensurate benefits in either daily rates or occupancy."

    Related Articles: 

    > Americans Would Give Up Sex For Internet Access

    > More Advertisers Turning To Internet

    > Google Nabs Number Two Spot In Harris Reputation Study

     

  • Broadband Users Less Likely To Abandon Job Search

    Americans who use the Internet are more likely to continue active job searches and less likely to drop out of the labor force than those without Internet access, especially among those who user broadband services, according to a new study by the Phoenix Center.

    The study found broadband Internet users are at east 50 percent less likely to give up on job searches because of discouragement than those who do not use the Internet. Dial-up Internet users are about one – third less likely to drop out of the labor force.

    Lawrence-Spiwak

    "By connecting Americans to jobs and information about job opportunities, Internet usage feeds hope and encourages frustrated workers to keep on looking even when job prospects are dim," according to Phoenix Center President Lawrence J. Spiwak. "These findings suggest that broadband connectivity can contribute to economic recovery."

    "Our study also shows the enormous potential benefit of community broadband centers for those who are not connected at home," Spiwak adds. "While broadband use at home delivers significant benefits, shared facilities can be a valuable solution to connectivity gaps in unserved and underserved communities."

    The Phoenix Center says the new study provides insights to policymakers at a time when unemployment is  high, with government estimates suggesting the unemployment rate, when broadly defined, now exceeds 17%. In fact, large numbers of Americans have given up looking for jobs because they think none are available.

    The U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, which is responsible for the government’s monthly data on employment and unemployment, estimates that adding "discouraged workers," as defined by the Bureau, who had quit looking for work as of December 2009, would boost the current U.S. jobless rate above the frequently reported 10 percent level.

    Related Articles:

    > Open Internet Heavily Promoted at CES

    > Internet’s Possible Future in the US Gets Ready to Be Decided

    > FCC’s Net Neutrality Site Gets a Blog

     

  • Google Shares Proposal for White Spaces Database

    Last night, Google announced that it filed a submission to the FCC, asking it to designate Google as one of potentially several administrators of a "white spaces" geolocation database. Back in November of 2008, the FCC approved the use of these White Spaces, or unused airwaves between broadcast TV channels, for public wireless broadband service.

    On Google’s Public Policy Blog, Richard Whitt, Washington Telecom and Media Counsel, writes:

    When the FCC voted to open the white spaces to unlicensed use in November 2008, it required that such a database be deployed before consumer electronics companies could start selling PCs, smartphones, e-book readers or other devices that used this spectrum. Before sending or receiving data, these devices will be required to connect to the database to determine what frequencies can and can’t be used in a particular location. Licensed television and wireless microphone signals will be fully protected from harmful interference.

    Why are we offering to do this? We continue to be big believers in the potential for this spectrum to revolutionize wireless broadband, and we think it’s important for us to step forward and offer our assistance to make that vision a reality. Since launching the White Spaces Database Group last February, we’ve been working with other stakeholders to exchange ideas and perspectives on how to best operate a working database, and we believe we’re in a strong position to build and successfully manage one.

    Google proposes to build a database to be publicly accessible and searchable, so anyone could access and review the data. The proposal has been provided in full:

    01-04-10 Google White Spaces Database Proposal

    Google says it anticipates that the FCC will accept comments on various database proposals, and expects the Commission to make a final destination sometime in the spring.
     

    Related Articles:

    > White Spaces Officially Cleared For Wireless Broadband

    > Google Sees White Spaces Filling With Internet

    > Google, Verizon Weigh In On White Space Test