In remarks before the Northern California Chapter of the Federal Communications Bar, FCC Chairman William Kennard argued that competition is the best way to ensure the growth of a ubiquitous broadband network. Right now, the broadband market is fertile but still undeveloped. The future is bright. But this competitive future is still glimmering in the distance. We are about 50 meters into a race that is sure to be a marathon.
Statistics indicate that interest in broadband access to the Internet is growing.
Cable modem deployments have doubled since the beginning of the year, reported Kinetic Strategies, which puts total deployments as of the end of June at 1,052,000. By comparison, America Online added 2 million new customers in the same period. In total, cable companies are installing more than 2,500 modems a week, reported Kinetic Strategies. Critics argue that this rapid growth justifies tighter regulation of cable Internet access, but Kennard disagreed. Sure, we have seen growth.