It's way too quiet

Thu Jul 5 19:59:14 UTC 2001

> > I have a number in my head as to what I consider broadband.  It's not
> > an unreasonable number but it certainly does exceed what is available
> > to the average consumer.
> 
> > Oh wise nanogers, what speeds do we need to achieve for the average
> > consumer before we truly have broadband?

Neglecting the debate about how to define "broadband," I've long
maintained that homes and small offices should have whatever people have
at work - otherwise telecommuting, small businesses, contractors, and such
are at a big disadvantage.

That makes "broadband" (or perhaps "standard practice") a moving target. A
few years ago that was 10mbps. Today 100bps is becoming the norm (and most
PCs come with 10/100 cards).  Pretty soon we're talking gigabit ethernet.

If you're deploying a new system today, gigabit fiber-to-the-home seems
the way to go. Check out www.worldwidepackets.com to see what's available
to support that.

Miles

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The Center for Civic Networking 	    PO Box 600618
Miles R. Fidelman, President &		    Newtonville, MA 02460-0006
Director, Municipal Telecommunications 
Strategies Program			    617-558-3698 fax: 617-630-8946
mfidelman at civicnet.org	 		    http://civic.net/ccn.html

Information Infrastructure: Public Spaces for the 21st Century 
Let's Start With: Internet Wall-Plugs Everywhere 
Say It Often, Say It Loud: "I Want My Internet!" 
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