Broadband or high-speed Internet access is provided by a series of technologies that give users the ability to send and receive data at volumes and speeds far greater than Internet access over traditional telephone lines. Meanwhile, the federal government—through Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)—is seeking to ensure fair competition among the players so that broadband will be available and affordable in a timely manner to all Americans who want it. Broadband access, along with the content and services it enables, has the potential to transform the Internet—both what it offers and how it is used. In truth, it is possible that many of the applications that will best exploit the technological capabilities of broadband, while also capturing the imagination of consumers, have yet to be developed. Broadband Technologies

There are multiple transmission media or technologies that can be used to provide broadband access. These include cable modem, an enhanced telephone service called digital subscriber line (DSL), satellite technology, fiber, mobile or fixed wireless technologies, and others. Fiber

Another broadband technology is optical fiber to the home (FTTH). Access to Broadband and the "Digital Divide"13

While the number of new broadband subscribers continues to grow, the rate of broadband deployment in urban and high income areas appears to be outpacing deployment in rural and low-income areas. A major facet of the debate centers on whether present laws and regulations are needed to ensure the development of competition and its subsequent consumer benefits, or, conversely, whether such laws and policies are overly burdensome and discourage needed investment and deployment of such services. The remaining four titles dealt with a wide range of telecommunications issues. Seeks to improve the quality of federal broadband data collection and encourage state initiatives that promote broadband deployment. Directs the FCC to expand assistance provided by the Lifeline Assistance Program and the Link Up Program to include broadband service. Targets universal service support specifically to eligible telecommunications carriers in high-cost geographic areas to ensure that communications services and high-speed broadband services are made available throughout all of the States of the United States in a fair and equitable manner. Reauthorizes broadband program at the Rural Utilities Service through FY2012.
Broadband or high-speed Internet access is provided by a series of technologies that give users the ability to send and receive data at volumes and speeds far greater than Internet access over traditional telephone lines. In addition to offering speed, broadband access provides a continuous, "always on" connection and the ability to both receive (download) and transmit (upload) data at high speeds. Broadband access, along with the content and services it might enable, has the potential to transform the Internet: both what it offers and how it is used. It is possible that many of the future applications that will best exploit the technological capabilities of broadband have yet to be developed. There are multiple transmission media or technologies that can be used to provide broadband access. These include cable; an enhanced telephone service called digital subscriber line (DSL); fiber-to-the-home (FTTH); satellite, mobile, and fixed wireless (including "wi-fi" and "Wi-Max"); broadband over powerlines (BPL); and others.
From a public policy perspective, the goals are to ensure that broadband deployment is timely and contributes to the nation's economic growth, that industry competes fairly, and that affordable and high-quality service is provided to all sectors and geographical locations of American society. The federal government—through Congress and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)—is seeking to ensure fair competition among the players so that broadband will be available and affordable in a timely manner to all Americans who want it.
Some areas of the nation—particularly rural and low-income communities—continue to lack full access to high-speed broadband Internet service. In order to address this problem, the 110th Congress is examining a wide range of issues including the scope and effect of federal broadband financial assistance programs (including universal service and the broadband programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rural Utilities Service), the adequacy of broadband data collection by the FCC, and the impact of telecommunications regulation and new technologies on broadband deployment. One facet of the debate over broadband services focuses on whether present laws and subsequent regulatory policies are needed to ensure the development of competition and its subsequent consumer benefits, or conversely, whether such laws and regulations are overly burdensome and discourage investment in and deployment of broadband services.
This report which will be updated as events warrant.