Broadband

Cable companies are investing billions of dollars nationally to upgrade their infrastructure and improve their facilities - about $1 billion in 2005 alone. Part of the reason is to bring customers more programming, better picture and sound, digital services, HDTV capability, and two-way interactive services. By upgrading the existing infrastructure with new fiber technology, the cable industry can respond to the dramatic demand for high-speed Internet access now commonly known as "broadband." Cable companies are introducing broadband across the country. By the end of 2000, more than 39 million homes will have access to residential cable modem services. And by 2005, more than 67 million homes will be able to use cable's superior technology to access the Internet and commercial on-line services.

What Californians Can Expect From Cable Broadband and Digital Technology
Internet Access - "Always on" cable modem service offers customers Internet services at dramatically faster speeds than telephone dial-up. As competition increases among phone and cable companies providing high-speed Internet access, prices will continue to decline.
Competitive Local Phone Service - Consumers will have a choice for local phone service as California cable companies rollout service.
Business Long Distance - Cable companies will soon be able to connect customers directly to their long distance carriers at lower rates.
More Programming - Digital technology allows customers to add scores of additional channels through their same cable wires.
HDTV Compatibility - In addition to securing greater bandwidth to pass HDTV's signals, the cable industry is working with the consumer electronics industry to assure compatibility between televisions and digital set top boxes.
Interactive TV - Retail digital devices (set top boxes) will allow a full range of interactive services for cable customers through their TV.

Regulating Internet Access: A National Approach
As cable companies continue to invest in broadband to provide customers with fast Internet access, some competitors have lobbied local and state officials for what they call "open access." And some of these same competitors have decided not to invest the billions of dollars necessary to build a broadband infrastructure. These competitors would like to see every local jurisdiction involve itself in the regulation of the Internet, which would only lead to a slowdown in cable broadband deployment.

A recent court decision, however, ruled that local jurisdictions do not have authority to regulate cable's broadband access, and that a national approach is in the public interest. To that end, the FCC has undertaken a review of "open access" issues, and is examining the best way to achieve a "national policy framework for promoting deployment and competition in high-speed Internet services, including cable wireline, wireless, satellite, broadcast and unlicensed spectrum technologies."

Broadband Deployment is Real
FCC Sees "Reasonable and Timely" Deployment of Broadband
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has been monitoring how effectively competitors are rolling out "advanced services" or broadband, so that all citizens and communities can access the benefits of the Internet. In its Second Report reviewing the progress of broadband deployment the FCC concluded that "…overall, deployment of advanced telecommunications capability is proceeding in a reasonable and timely fashion. Specifically, competition is emerging, rapid buildout of necessary infrastructure continues, and extensive investment is pouring into this segment of the economy."

The FCC made special note of the progress in Los Angeles, saying residents throughout the county have access to several high-speed alternatives, and the multitude of offerings have resulted in competitive choices for residential and business customers alike.