2. Survey of Residential Broadband Services Presented By John F. Veal, Jr. April 27, 2005 ACSG520 Dr. Alzoubi

3. Sources for Surveys Internet service is a lot like cell-phone service. Accordingly, massive customer surveys are one of the best ways to evaluate Internet Service Providers (ISPs). J.D. Power and Associates (better known for its automobile research) solicited responses from over 9500 residential ISP customers, including both dial-up and broadband (cable and DSL) users. PC World, Network World Fusion and PC Magazine also survey users to find the best ISP. Consumer Reports discusses the perks of switching to broadband but doesn't rate providers.

4. From CNET: CNet.com reports that "nearly half (45 percent) of homes in the United States now have a connection that's faster than dial-up." Experts push the benefits of broadband over dial-up, and traditional dial-up companies such as AOL have added broadband-enhanced features to their list of services. However, even as more households make the switch, experts say dial-up will always have a place in the market. Even for broadband customers, dial-up is still the most common and convenient way to get your e-mail on the road.

5. Dial-up vs. Broadband Internet service can be classified as dial-up or broadband. While most are familiar with dial-up technology, broadband may be unfamiliar. Broadband is an Internet connection that's always 'on' and is up to 150 times faster than dialup access. As long as your computer is turned on, and your modem is functioning, you are connected to the Internet. Users do not need to log on or off and there's no waiting for access. 'Broadband' is an umbrella term which includes three different types of access: Cable, DSL and satellite.

6. Dial-Up vs. Broadband Services that operate through cable TV wires, like Optimum Online, Earthlink cable or Road Runner, may be available from your local cable-TV company. Some broadband cable companies claim to be up to 150 times faster than dial-up and three times faster than DSL, but actual connection speed depends on a lot of variables, and such an estimate assumes no other users are connected, since cable users within a defined area share bandwidth.

7. Dial-Up vs. Broadband Connection rate fluctuates based on the number of users, which means speeds can slow during peak hours. Realistically, cable speeds are noticeably faster than dial-up, most experts say speeds are comparable to DSL. Besides speed, another advantage to cable is that you may receive a discount from your local cable company for getting both the cable TV service and cable broadband Internet service. Cable broadband rates typically range from $45 to $55 before any discounts.

8. Dial-Up vs. Broadband Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) technology uses existing telephone wires without interfering with voice service. It depends (among other things) on your distance from a telephone company switching station. Unlike dial-up or cable, the farther away you are from the issuing company's central office, the spottier your connection. DSL prices are competitive with cable prices but you may be able to sign up with your local telephone company to receive a discount with phone service. If DSL isn't yet available in your area, the phone company may also provide notification when your neighborhood is included in these plans.

9. Dial-Up vs. Broadband Satellite is the least-used connection for residential broadband. But for those living in isolated, rural areas with no access to DSL or cable, it's the way to go. Like satellite TV, satellite Internet requires you to attach a dish to your home which absorbs broadcasted Internet signals. Monthly fees range from $50 to over $100 and that doesn't include the hundreds required for hardware. In addition, restrictions are placed on the amount of bandwidth you can use in a certain timeframe. Maximum data transmission speeds are around 60Kbps upstream/ 600Kbps downstream.

10. Dial-Up vs. Broadband So which is better, DSL or cable? According to CNet.com editors, cable has the edge— but barely, and your decision will start with what's available in your area. Your cable TV provider can tell you what's available, and with which service provider.

11. Dial-Up vs. Broadband J.D. Power is best known for its car satisfaction ratings, but the company has begun to make inroads into other industries as well by compiling massive customer surveys. This press release summarizes the research firm's 2004 ISP Residential Customer Satisfaction Study which, in the dial-up category, is topped by Earthlink, Juno/NetZero and AT&T Worldnet. As for wireless providers, Earthlink takes the most votes again, followed by Verizon and Road Runner. Results are based on responses from over 9500 customers.

12. Next Generation Broadband Defined An optical access network that will connect each home using a dedicated fiber optic cable and equipment with lasers to send and receive information using the Internet protocol (IP) and Fast Ethernet. A networking transmission standard that provides 100 Megabits per second (Mbps) of symmetric bandwidth.

13. Required Hardware A network Demarcation Unit that is attached to the outside of customers’ homes, to terminate fiber connection. Connects to a new Residential Ethernet Gateway that is located inside customers’ homes and connects to their PCs and telephones.

14. Performance The WinFirst service will be 65 times faster than typical 1.5 Mbps high-speed connections offered today. Will enable download of a DVD movie in “eight minutes.” Same bandwidth both upstream and downstream will enable people to share files directly with each other through true peer-to-peer networking.

15. Advantages No legacy network to upgrade: reliability, scalability and bandwidth capacity. Immune to electromagnetic interference and atmospheric conditions. Improved Quality of Service. High bandwidth in both directions. Uses Ethernet technology which is common to virtually every PC.

16. Disadvantages Cost Fragile-Microfractures/microbends Difficult to splice Existing infrastructure

17. Technology Leaders Corning WINfirst-Lucent Technologies Verizon Ciena Nayna Networks

18. Class Survey Do you have Internet access? (yes, 4 0f 4) Who is your ISP provider? (2-SBC,1-AOL, 1-ComCast) Are you satisfied with your ISP provider? (3-Yes, 1-So So) Do you believe high ‑ speed Internet access is important? (Yes, 4 of 4) Very important to all Do you feel that your type of service is adequate for your household? (Yes, 4 of 4) Very adequate. Would you change your ISP provider for a cheaper fee? (Yes 4 of 4) As long as the service is equal or better. Most felt service was over-priced

19. Class Survey Results The overall response to having high-speed access from home was very important. All respondents felt the need to have lower monthly fees. Of the respondents who answered the survey, SBC was given the overall highest rating coupled with the best performance and service.

20. References CNet.com J.D. Power Associates ISP Residential Customer Satisfaction Survey Network World Fusion PC Magazine/PC World

21. Questions/ Comments