Global: Broadband - A Need of the Hour

Overview:

Broadband technologies are fundamentally transforming the way we live. It is vital that no one be excluded from the new global knowledge societies we are building. We believe that communication is not just a human need – it is a right. The greater communication and understanding made possible through access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) can help us overcome the challenges in our complex and interdependent global society.

Broadband Technologies:

• Digital Subscriber Line (DSL):Provides digital data transmission over the wires of a local telephone network. The data throughput of consumer DSL services typically ranges from 256 kbit/s to 20 Mbit/s depending on DSL technology, line conditions, and service-level implementation.
• Bonded dial-up modems: To provide increased bandwidth over dial-up multilinking technology or modem bonding was developed. It require two modems, two phone lines, two dial-up accounts, and an ISP with support for multilinking - and of course any line and data charges would also be doubled.
• Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN): ISDN, a telephone data service standard ISDN line with 2 data "bearer" channels can be bonded together for 256 kbit/s or more and this technology has been used for video conference applications and broadband data transmission.
• Leased lines: A leased line is a service contract between a provider and a customer, whereby the provider agrees to deliver a symmetric telecommunications line connecting two or more locations in exchange for a monthly rent. Leased lines are more expensive than alternative connectivity services
• Satellite broadband: Satellite Internet is usually among the most expensive ways of gaining broadband Internet access, but in rural areas it may be the only choice other than cellular broadband.
• Cellular broadband: Cellular phone towers are very widespread, and as cellular networks move to third generation (3G) networks they can support fast data; using technologies such as EVDO, HSDPA and UMTS.
• Power-line Internet: Broadband over power lines (BPL), also known as Power line communication, may eventually permit broadband Internet data to travel down standard high-voltage power lines.
• Wireless ISP: This typically employs the current low-cost 802.11 Wi-Fi radio systems to link up remote locations over great distances, but can use other higher-power radio communications systems as well.
• Cable broadband: Broadband cable Internet access requires a cable modem at the customer's premises connected via coaxial cable or a Hybrid Fiber Coaxial and bit rates can be as much as 400 Mbit/s for business connections, and 100 Mbit/s for residential service in some countries.
• Fiber to the Home: Similar to cable Internet access, but promised much faster bit-rates - up to 100 Mbit/s.

Global Growth of Broadband

Benefits of Broadband:

• Dial-up modems are limited to a bit rate of about 60 kbit/s and require the dedicated use of a telephone line whereas broadband technologies supply more than this rate and generally without disrupting telephone use.
• Broadband Internet access may give access to Internet services such as: Telephony, radio, television and videoconferencing, Virtual private networks and remote systems administration Online gaming especially massively multiplayer online role-playing games which are interaction-intensive, faster downloading of videos, pictures, files & software.
• It does not affect the phone line. For DSL internet access, you can use the same phone line for both voice/fax and data transmission.  For cable internet access, you are connected to the internet via the cable network. In either case, your phone line is not occupied while you are connected to the internet.
• Greater access to the Internet and broadband applications and services help accelerate achievement of internationally-agreed development goals, improving awareness of hygiene and healthcare.
• Helping family breadwinners find work, a better salary or return on their goods.
• Provision of public services is transformed to make them global public goods for the global good.

Broadband Targets for 2015:

The Broadband Commission has set four clear, new targets for making broadband policy universal and for boosting affordability and broadband uptake

• Target 1: Making broadband policy universal. By 2015, all countries should have a national broadband plan or strategy or include broadband in their Universal Access / Service Definitions.
• Target 2: Making broadband affordable. By 2015, entry-level broadband services should be made affordable in developing countries through adequate regulation and market forces (amounting to less than 5% of average monthly income).
•  Target 3: Connecting homes to broadband. By 2015, 40% of households in developing countries should have Internet access.

• Target 4: Getting people online. By 2015, Internet user penetration should reach 60% worldwide, 50% in developing countries and 15% in LDCs

The Broadband Challenge:

• Affordable Pricing: High monthly fee compared to dialup internet access.
• Security Risk: Higher security risk than dialup connection. A personal firewall is needed to protect your computer.
• Rural Connectivity:Not all phone wires are equipped for DSL service. May not be available in rural or remote areas.Not all cable TV networks are equipped for cable internet access. May not be available in rural or remote areas. 

Sources:

http://www.broadbandcommission.org/Documents/Broadband_Targets.pdf

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadband_Internet_access