Broadband Internet Information

Two Enter Internet Battle


Consumers understand that when there is more competition in a market, there are lower prices. This is especially true in the computer industry where it is reported that 68% of households have a computer. According to the Computer Industry Almanac, the worldwide number of Internet users will exceed 1 billion this year with the United States leading with over 185 million users. The number of users will continue to increase as well as competitors, forcing companies to offer faster connections at a cheaper price. Two technologies that will lend a hand in allowing new players into the Broadband market are BPL and WIMAX.

Broadband Over Power Lines, BPL

BPL is a technology that allows Internet data to be transmitted over utility power lines and is also referred to as Power-line Communications or PLC. The technology works by modulating high-frequency radio waves with the digital signals from the Internet. These radio waves are fed into the utility grid at specific points, then travel along the wires and pass through the utility transformers into homes and businesses.One main concern by officials in the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) and the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA), is that BPL will interfere with radio systems including fire, police, short-wave and land mobile. There are other groups who are taking the initiative in realizing this potential including the IEEE which has begun to develop IEEE P1675, "Standard for Broadband over Power Line Hardware."

This technology has gained national attention with reports by the Wall Street Journal that industry powerhouses Google and Goldman Sachs have invested nearly $100 million into Current Communications Group, a company that provides high-speed Internet access over electrical power lines. According to Reuters, CCG will use the financing to deploy voice, video and data services in domestic and global markets. IBM is also currently researching the use of electrical power lines to provide internet access by opening a BPL center in Houston with CenterPoint Energy although IBM has declined to put a dollar value on the amount invested.

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, WIMAX

WiMAX, also known as IEEE 802.16, is a standards-based wireless technology that provides broadband connections over long distances and is intended for wireless "metropolitan area networks". It can be used for wireless networking in much the same way WiFi is used today while also allowing for more efficient bandwidth use and interference avoidance. WiMAX has a broadband wireless access range of 30 miles compared to only 100 - 300 feet for a WiFi wireless local area network.

WiMAX can be used for a number of applications, including "last mile" broadband connections, hotspots, and high-speed connectivity for businesses. Alvarion, a global organization headquartered in Israel that supplies integrated Broadband Wireless Access (BWA) solutions, has announced it will supply satellite provider DirecTV Group Inc. with equipment that uses WIMAX technology in order to enhance customer upstream bandwidth requirements. By implementing "last mile" broadband connections, DirecTV would then be able to supply faster connections to rural areas where it would cost millions to lay down the cable lines necessary for high speed. Another application under consideration is gaming. Microsoft is looking to make WiMax a standard feature in its Xbox 360. This would allow gamers with similar equipment to interact with other players without any internet access. All the funcionality of WiFi with improved range and reduced network latency makes WiMAX a very attractive alternative.

James Junior is a freelance writer and web programmer for http://www.jccorner.com


MORE RESOURCES:

State nears deal on broadband Internet
Montgomery Advertiser, AL - 22 hours ago
By Markeshia Ricks • mricks@gannett.com • January 6, 2009 Almost a year after he announced he would get high-speed Internet access to 100 percent of the ...
Ohio company chosen for state broadband project WSFA
all 76 news articles


The Smart Home Is Still Looking for a Market
New York Times, United States - 23 hours ago
Today, despite the spread of broadband Internet and home networks, consumers remain deeply skeptical about smart-home technology, according to a new study ...


Internap Chosen by Sharedband to Help Bring High-Speed Internet to ...
Reuters - Jan 5, 2009
Until now, high-speed broadband Internet service was not available for millions of homes and businesses due to geographic limitations of carrier ...
Internap Hosts Sharedband Highspeed Service Web Host Industry Review
Sharedband selects Internap IP network to expand operations Trading Markets (press release)
all 17 news articles


Klobuchar plans forum on broadband Internet services
Bemidji Pioneer, MN - Dec 28, 2008
PAUL — Bringing broadband Internet services to rural America is part of President-elect Barack Obama’s economic stimulus plan, says US Sen. Amy Klobuchar. ...
Case made for Internet upgrade funds in rural Minnesota Grand Forks Herald
Sen. Klobuchar pushes for better broadband infrastructure Coon Rapids ECM Publishers
all 25 news articles


More Tennesseans using broadband Internet
Bizjournals.com, NC - Dec 18, 2008
Tennessee broadband Internet adoption rose 16 percent from July 2007 to January 2008, according to a new report from Connected Tennessee, ...


Motorola Provides WiMAX Devices, Infrastructure for Clear(TM) 4G ...
PR Newswire (press release), NY - 12 hours ago
SCHAUMBURG, Ill. , Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Motorola, Inc. (NYSE: MOT) today congratulates Clearwire on the inaugural launch of its 4G mobile WiMAX ...


$2 million in grants boost broadband in Southwest Virginia
Kingsport Times News, TN - Jan 5, 2009
... and the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission. Both entities were founded to promote the installation of broadband Internet in Southwest Virginia.


Alvarion® Signs Contract with VMAX Telecom for Mobile WiMAX ...
SYS-CON Media, NJ - 21 hours ago
Alvarion Ltd. (NASDAQ: ALVR), the world’s leading provider of WiMAX™ and wireless broadband solutions, today announced that it has signed a contract with ...


DailyTech

Bill Gates Brings Broadband Internet to Public Libraries
eFluxMedia - Dec 20, 2008
An amount of $6.1 million will go to the Connected Nations NGO, a group that lobbies for the extending of broadband Internet coverage. ...
Gates Foundation Widens Broadband Footprint xchange Magazine
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation Announces Pilot Grant Program to ... MarketWatch
Gates Foundation Grants $7 Million to Connected Nation and ... BroadbandCensus.com
Ars Technica - CNET News
all 288 news articles


T-Mobile USA to Offer Customers the Thinnest and Lightest Full ...
FOXBusiness - 1 hour ago
(i)Unlimited nationwide Wi-Fi calling requires Unlimited HotSpot Calling mobile plan, qualifying rate plan, broadband Internet connection and wireless ...

Broadband-Internet - Google News

home | site map
© 2006 X-DSL.net - All Rights reserved. - GetWeb Media Webdesign Muenchen