Definition
"Accordingly, in order to gather more detailed and therefore useful information about subscription to broadband services, we revise Form 477 to establish an increased number of transfer speed categories, applicable to both download and upload service speeds. Specifically, the reporting tiers applicable to the reporting of both download and upload transfer rates under the new Form 477 collection are: (1) greater than 200 kbps but less than 768 kbps; (2) equal to or greater than 768 kbps but less than 1.5 mbps; (3) equal to or greater than 1.5 mbps but less than 3.0 mbps; (4) equal to or greater than 3.0 mbps but less than 6.0 mbps, (5) equal to or greater than 6.0 mbps but less than 10.0 mbps; (6) equal to or greater than 10.0 mbps but less than 25.0 mbps; (7) equal to or greater than 25.0 mbps but less than 100.0 mbps; and (8) equal to or greater than 100 mbps. As discussed in our Fifth Report, pursuant to section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of
1996, we find it appropriate to continue to evaluate broadband deployment by monitoring the migration of customers and services to higher speed tiers by continuing to collect information beginning at the 200 kbps threshold that is appropriately considered "first generation." Additionally, we will retain the requirement that providers report connections with download transfer rates above 200 kbps and upload speeds of less than or equal to 200 kbps, because upload services in this category continue to be a common offering in the broadband services market. Filers will report the number of subscribers for each type of technology of service they offer, in each combination of download and upload speed categories, within each Census Tract in which the providers have subscribers. Figure 1 provides an illustration of the data that Form 477 filers will be required to provide for each Census Tract and technology type." Fifth 706 Report Para 20.
The Commission has recognized that the terms "broadband" and "broadband services" are elusive concepts, as they have come to mean many different things to many different people. See Inquiry Concerning the Deployment of Advanced Telecommunications Capability to All Americans in a Reasonable and Timely Fashion, and Possible Steps to Accelerate Such Deployment Pursuant to Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Third Report, CC Docket 98-146, FCC No. 02-33 at para. 11 and n.23 (rel. Feb. 6, 2002) (Third Section 706 Report); accord Inquiry Concerning the Deployment of Advanced Telecommunications Capability to All Americans in a Reasonable and Timely Fashion, and Possible Steps to Accelerate Such Deployment Pursuant to Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, Second Report, 15 FCC Rcd 20913, 20920, para. 11 (2000) (Second Section 706 Report). The Commission, therefore, has separately defined "advanced telecommunications capability and advanced services," for the purposes of section 706 Reports as having the capability to support both upstream and downstream speeds in excess of 200 Kbps in the last mile. Third Section 706 Report, FCC No. 02-33 at para. 9 (internal quotations omitted); accord Second Section 706 Report, 15 FCC Rcd at 20919-20, para. 10. The Commission has "denominate[d] as 'high-speed' those services with over 200 kbps capability in at least one direction." Second Section 706 Report, 15 FCC Rcd at 20920; accord Third Section 706 Report, FCC No. 02-33 at para. 9.
- In Re Appropriate Framework for Broadband Access to the Internet over Wireline Facilities, CC Docket No. 02-33, CC Dockets Nos. 95-20, 98-10, NPRM n. 2 (February 15, 2002) http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-02-42A1.doc
Characteristics
Peak Speed / Minimum Speed
Sustainable Speed
Coverage
Quality (Latency, jitter, dropped packets, diversity, redundancy)
Rural and Underserved
Individuals with Disabilities
See ADA ; Telecommunications Relay Service ;
Benefit due to difficulty with transportation (cannot drive), allowing to access services could not otherwise access
Hearing
Telecommunications Relay Service
Use of webcams in order to use sign language
Reference
The Benefits of Broadband for Disabled Users, Broadband Info nd
As Utility
A century ago, there were efforts to prevent local governments from offering electricity. Opponents argued that local governments didn’t have the expertise to offer something as complex as electricity. They also argued that businesses would suffer if they faced competition from cities and towns. But
local community leaders recognized that their economic survival depended on electrifying their communities. They knew that it would take both private investment and public investment to bring electricity to all Americans.
We face a similar situation today. Municipal networks can play an essential role in making broadband access universal and affordable. We must not put up barriers to this possibility of municipal involvement in broadband deployment. - Mr. Lautenberg, Congressional Record S7298 (June 23, 2005)
Despite the protests of for-profit companies, public Wi-Fi networks have popped up around the country as more municipalities decided that wireless Internet access, like trash collection and road construction, should be a public service. - Charleston is going wirelessFrom Charleston Post and Courier, September 30, 2005
Around the country, public officials and community advocates are identifying broadband communications as a public good, something too important to be entrusted to private enterprise alone. - Municipal Broadband: Sidestepping Information Roadblocks, Media Alliance nd
With regard to households, there is growing national evidence that broadband telecommunications services have (or, at least, will) become the “fourth utility.” -- The Residential and Commercial Benefits of Rural Broadband, Evidence from Central Appalachia, Final Report, p. 34, July 2005, Marshal University.
The county also plans to become the local high-speed provider for its residents, running the local broadband pipe as if it were a gas or water utility. -Kevin Fitchard, Bridging the Cumberland Gap, Telephony March 18, 2002
As a Service
Affordability
Price per megabit per second
Benefits of Broadband
Lack of Broadband
Lacking access to broadband, localities have seen industry / employers leave as they lack the ability to communicate with their markets and with their supply chains. [SRDC Princeton]
Access to third party content / service
Creation / collaboration / interaction
Self Organize
Ability of local community organizations to organize and communicate.
Employment / Businesses
Need symetrical service - lack of abililty to upload as barrier
Broadband = Internet Broadband
References
Sites
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