The United States government is reinforcing its plans to make high-speed Internet access more available and affordable to every citizen of the country. A $787 billion economic stimulus bill the federal government has signed for 2009 would include a $7.2 billion budget to fund the national broadband initiative. The Federal Communications Commission, the agency tasked to take responsibility in spearheading the project, is all set to implement efforts for the project.

US President elect Barrack Obama has made the broadband nationalization project part of his priorities, as promised during the presidential campaign of 2008. This way, the government is hoping Internet access would be made more possible, more affordable, and more convenient even across underserved areas in the country. Affordable and reliable high-speed Internet seems to be part of a more important economic platform the Obama administration is gearing for.

The US government looks at high-speed Internet access as a successful and potential driver of the country's economic growth in the short- to long-term. When the US Congress assigned the FCC to develop a national broadband plan, it emphasized that the action is aimed at accelerating economic growth. It is hopeful and is certain that a more developed broadband Internet infrastructure in the US could help create more good-paying jobs, spur better and more useful innovations, and effectively connect small businesses to make them even more competitive and progressive.

A well-developed Internet facility across the nation is also seen as essential for improvement of educational opportunities, better delivery of healthcare, and further revamping of basic operations of fire fighters and police, who could rely on improved communications for better implementation and enforcement of overall public safety and orderliness. At the same time, cleaner energy at basically lower costs could also be made more possible.

US citizens are expected to get involved in the national broadband rolling out and development process. In the third to last quarter of 2009, FCC is set to host national discussions and forums to tackle the design of the national Internet access plan. Such talks would be open for the public participation through actual meetings in designated centers and even online.

The government is expecting the public to describe the broadband needs and requirements of their communities. They are also expected to air aspirations and hopes for the improvement and better implementation of the National Broadband plan. This way, the US government is helping itself make sure that no sector or communities in the country would be left behind prior to rolling out of effective broadband infrastructure.

For its part, FCC as a bureau is tasked of taking a pivotal role for the promotion of competition, innovation, investment, and job creation across the national wireless sector. The agency has set up its own specialized team to provide expertise and additional support for seizing the opportunity as the US aims to take the lead in global mobile communications. Throughout the year, and prior to actual launch and implementation of the project, FCC is set to conduct more preparatory initiatives to further set the stage for the national broadband effort.



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Internet access is one of the most important services provided by telecommunication firms all around the world these days. That is because people need to get online to do several important and necessary transactions. Online, consumers could shop, watch movies, download sounds and files, do banking transactions, reserve air and hotel tickets, join raffles, and do absolutely any other activities that used to be done personally.

Through the years, Internet access and connection has evolved. Now, there are many ways to connect to the online media. Internet access could be done through more than one way. People could use dial-up, wireless, Wi-Fi, mobile, or broadband connections. Here are basic and comprehensive descriptions of such types of Internet connection.

Dial-up connections - This is definitely the most basic and common type of online connection. It is provided by Internet service providers. Practically, dial-up connection is the least expensive and slowest of all Internet connections. This type is able to connect users to the online media through a local server that uses a standard modem (56 kilobits per second). The process is quite simple, but relatively tedious. The computer and its modem dial a designated telephone number (provided by specific ISP or telephone line provider). Upon connection, Internet access is enabled. To some online users, dial-up connection is almost obsolete and useless because of the emergence of faster and more sophisticated types of connections.

Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Lines - This is an early form of broadband online connection that could provide varying data transfer rates. Internet connection works through splitting functions of a basic phone line into several separate channels for data and voice calls. Thus, any user could use the phone while being connected to the Internet, an action that is impossible in regular dial-up connections. DSL or direct service line online services are common these days and are available at different and preferred configurations.

Cable Internet - Through the years, conventional cable television has been preferred all around the world because of its ability to transfer clear and excellent television signals. These days, cables are also used for Internet connectivity. Some TV cable firms also offer cable Internet as a side service, while there are some businesses that primarily and singly offer cable Internet. This type of connection is well preferred because more data are conveyed at faster rates through the cable lines, especially the fiber optic types. Usually, speed and prices of cable Internet services overlap those of DSL. Cable Internet access currently targets high-end users who are willing to pay a premium.

Wi-Fi - Most Internet users now prefer to connect online via Wi-Fi. This is because this type of connection is wireless, is fast, and is very convenient. You do not have to be home to access Wi-Fi Internet. All you have to do is to find a 'hotspot' (designated places that provide Wi-Fi Internet access) and connect your laptop for free (in some cases through certain fee structures). Most commercial establishments these days (like malls, gyms, parking lots, campuses, libraries, cafes, restaurants, or urban centers) are Wi-Fi hotspots. WiMax is a Wi-Fi version that covers a wider range or area.

How do you secure Internet access? Are you satisfied with the services? You should consider getting faster and cheaper connection as there are many types to choose from. All you have to do is to look around and inquire for online access services offered by your reliable providers.



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Are you paying for an Internet access at home, at the office, or wherever you travel? It is always fun and wonderful to be connected online because you could do basic and important transactions. It is always good to be able to check email regularly, chat with friends real time, and read urgent and important news wherever, wherever. You do not have to be confined to your home these days to be able to enjoy online access.

As you know, Internet access is not cheap. The traditional dial-up connection could be reasonable and less costly, but it takes so much patience and perseverance to use it. It is very slow that it could not facilitate downloading bigger files. Several online activities and services could also be not possible. Thus, you are left but to use DSL, broadband, or other faster connecting and more powerful online connections. You would surely enjoy faster speed and you would be able to do more online tasks, but fees are bigger in comparison.

It is better if you would be able to maximize your Internet access. Most online services these days are provided without limitations; hence, you could use them 24/7 without incurring additional fees and charges. They are having fixed costs. It would be practical and ideal if you would make use of the service to the fullest. Aside from the common online activities, why not use the connection to earn extra income?

You have probably heard about people who make money online. Some buy and sell products and services, others earn from advertising and affiliate marketing, while several earn through creating and designing Websites. If you are spending idle hours doing nothing online, why not be productive and use the connection for you to be able to earn extra income? The Internet offers a wide array of opportunities and chances.

Are you a good marketer? You should realize that the Internet is now a good venue for marketing, distributing, and selling products and services. Most marketers prefer to do transactions online because of convenience and security. Who would not like the idea of having to sell and market just by being at home? Many consumers and buyers of goods and services now prefer to transact online. Affiliate marketing helps some marketers earn more money just by selling products for other people and marketers. Try it as it is becoming a good alternative source of money online.

Are you good at conceptualizing and writing content? Why not put up your own Website or blog? These days, Websites earn if there are many online users that regularly visit such sites. This applies the basic principles of advertising. The more interesting and popular your Website becomes, the more likely is it to attract heavy advertisers, who are willing to pay just to promote or sell their products and services. Starting up a blog could help you get on track. Many bloggers now earn extra income.

You could sell your skills and services online. If you are a great writer, layout artist, web designer, or Internet marketer, you could advertise yourself through joining forums and circulating emails. There are so many opportunities and possibilities. Just be determined to maximize your Internet access and for sure, in no time, you would be able to make your investment worth it.



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A 2009 study has estimated that actual worth of benefits brought about by broadband Internet access to Americans reached more than $32 billion in 2008. The research, conducted by industry experts Robert Willig, Mark Dutz, and Jonathan Orszag, was aimed at quantifying and scaling the actual usefulness and advantages of fast online connectivity to most regular Internet users. It was based on the observation that almost all important transactions could now be facilitated online.

The $32 billion figure was derived through considering several important factors. It was found that actual valuation imposed by consumers to their broadband services totaled $60 billion. From the figure, actual amount of access costs for the year was deducted, which was $28 billion. The $32 billion figure is obviously significant and enormous.

Findings of the study and the estimate reveals that broadband Internet access is currently considered a basic necessity among US citizens. Many households now consider Internet connection as among the necessary utilities. This is not surprising because as mentioned, almost all important transactions could be facilitated through the Internet. People could now shop, reserve tickets, do research, get entertainment, and do almost anything imaginable online.

What are the basic benefits from Internet access aside from those mentioned? Consumers find the online media beneficial especially when they are transacting for education, work, health care, communication, news, civic affairs, and entertainment. In fact, many companies are now heavily investing to further strengthen their online market foothold. This is because almost all significant businesses are now online, as many consumers now prefer to transact businesses online as well.

The same research has found that adoption of home broadband services has increased to about six times since 2001. In 2008, about 66.6 million households were having regular broadband Internet connection, from just about 10.4 million households in 2001. The drastic rise is very obvious. No other emerging technology has been warmly accepted in American households like broadband Internet access. Dial-up and other inferior Internet access connections were even excluded in the figure.

In line with this, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan has allotted $7.2 billion for further development and improvement of the current broadband Internet infrastructure in the country. The body has entrusted the amount to the US Federal Communications Commission, which is currently developing its massive national broadband strategy. The project is aimed at furthering empowering the government to establish a partnership with private sector in helping deliver better, faster, and more reliable Internet access to more household across the US.

The proponents of the study asserted that the research was able to meet its goals, which was to quantify recent growth in value of broadband Internet access, as seen and perceived by American consumers and users. The study was the first one that dealt with this quantification. The $32 billion estimate for annual Internet access benefits to consumers is expected to further rise in the coming years.

Many analysts and observers note that Internet access and infrastructure in the US is not as developed and as strong as its counterparts in certain countries in Europe. However, because of the fact that Americans are heavy Internet users, market observers believe the US government would not let local Internet infrastructure lag behind. This of course is good news to most American consumers who are into using broadband Internet access for basic transactions.



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