Broadband networks

摘要

The Internet's phenomenal growth has created the potential for a ubiquitously connected society. This potential has been slow in coming, however, in part because the majority of today's home users connect to the Internet over slow analog telephone lines. Slow modems and congestion at popular Web sites have further contributed to the "World Wide Wait". Broadband access (connections at data rates of 250 kbps or more) has long promised a solution, but until recently, technology has been unable to deliver these higher speeds at a reasonable cost. Despite this and other problems, affordable broadband access is just around the corner. What this means for users is a change that will profoundly affect Web access and the existing communication (telephone) and media (TV and radio) industries. The main drivers for narrowband's transition to broadband are new applications that will soon be available. In addition, a slew of new Internet access devices and supporting products will become available in the next few years.