FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION RELEASES DATA
ON HIGH-SPEED SERVICES FOR INTERNET ACCESS
fcc.gov
High-Speed Lines to the Internet Increased 57% During the First Six Months of Year 2000
For a Total of 4.3 Million Subscribers
Washington, D.C. - The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) today released summary statistics of its latest data on the deployment of high-speed Internet services in the United States. Qualifying providers file such data twice a year under the Commission's local competition and broadband data gathering program (FCC Form 477).
The local competition and broadband data gathering program was adopted in March 2000 to assist the Commission in its efforts to further implement the pro-competitive, deregulatory provisions of the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Specifically, the data from this effort are used by the Commission for its evaluation of the availability of advanced telecommunications services, known as 706 reports.
The information released today was filed by qualifying providers on September 1, 2000, and includes data as of June 30, 2000. Noteworthy data include:
High-speed lines connecting homes and small businesses to the Internet increased by 57% during the first half of 2000, to a total of 4.3 million lines (or wireless channels) in service from 2.8 million at the end of 1999.
About 2.8 million of high-speed lines provided speeds of over 200 kbps in both directions, and thus met the Commission's definition of advanced services, compared to 2.0 million at the end of 1999.
The presence of high-speed service subscribers was reported in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, and in about 70% of the nation's zip codes, compared to 59% at the end of 1999.
High-speed asymmetric DSL (ADSL) lines in service increased by 157%, to almost one million lines, compared to about 370,000 lines at the end of 1999.
High-speed lines in service over coaxial cable systems remained more numerous, increasing 59% to about 2.2 million lines, compared to 1.4 million at the end of 1999.
High-speed lines (or wireless channels) delivered over fiber, satellite, fixed wireless, and wireline technologies other than ADSL increased by at least 18% during the first half of this year.
High-speed subscribers are reported to be present in 96% of the most densely populated zip codes and in 40% of zip codes with the lowest population densities. The number of sparsely populated zip codes with high-speed subscribers increased by 69% during the first half of the year, compared to an increase of 4% for the most densely populated zip codes.
As additional information from Form 477 becomes available, it will be routinely posted on the Commission's Internet site. Because Form 477 was adopted recently, there may be some need for further clarification and adjustment of the reporting system.
The data summary is available for reference in the FCC's Reference Information Center, Courtyard Level, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC. It can be downloaded [file name: HSPD1000.zip, HSPD1000.pdf] from the FCC-State Link Internet site at fcc.gov. Copies may be purchased by calling International Transcription Services, Inc. (ITS) at (202) 857-3800.
fcc.gov
- FCC -
Common Carrier Bureau contact: Industry Analysis Division at (202) 418-0940; TTY (202) 418- 0484. |
