Chapter 16

The Affirmation of Broadband and New Forms of Internet Access

After the early years of the Internet characterized mainly by slow dial-up connections, the decade 2000-2010 saw a significant transformation with the spread of broadband and the emergence of new access technologies that allowed users to experience the network in faster and more interactive ways. This evolution was critical to the growth of many of the online services we take for granted today.

16.1 The Deployment of Broadband:
Increasing Speed and Capacity

Broadband technologies, capable of offering connection speeds significantly faster than dial-up, became widespread during this period:

DSL (Digital Subscriber Line): Different variants of DSL continued to expand and improve. ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line): It became the most common form of broadband for many home users, offering download speeds (the primary direction of traffic for most users) faster than upload speeds. Typical speeds increased progressively, from a few hundred kilobits per second to several megabits per second. ADSL2+: An improved version of ADSL that offered even faster download speeds, potentially reaching 20-25 Mbps in optimal conditions and over short distances from the telephone exchange.
ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line): It became the most common form of broadband for many home users, offering download speeds (the primary direction of traffic for most users) faster than upload speeds. Typical speeds increased progressively, from a few hundred kilobits per second to several megabits per second.
ADSL2+: An improved version of ADSL that offered even faster download speeds, potentially reaching 20-25 Mbps in optimal conditions and over short distances from the telephone exchange.

VDSL (Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line): A DSL technology that promised even higher speeds, both download and upload, often exceeding 50 Mbps. However, its initial diffusion was more limited than ADSL and ADSL2+, as it required more advanced infrastructure and shorter distances from the exchange.
VDSL (Very-high-bit-rate Digital Subscriber Line): A DSL technology that promised even higher speeds, both download and upload, often exceeding 50 Mbps. However, its initial diffusion was more limited than ADSL and ADSL2+, as it required more advanced infrastructure and shorter distances from the exchange.
Cable Internet: Cable television networks continued to be upgraded to support ever-faster Internet connection speeds. Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS) technology evolved, allowing cable operators to offer download speeds that often exceeded those of ADSL, making cable Internet a popular choice for many users.
Fiber Optics (FTTx): The Promise of Maximum Speed: Fiber optics began to emerge as a very high-speed Internet access technology. FTTH (Fiber To The Home): Brought fiber optic cable directly to the user's home, offering symmetrical speeds (equal download and upload) potentially exceeding 100 Mbps and beyond. FTTB (Fiber To The Building): Carried optical fiber up to the building (for example, an apartment building), and then used other types of cabling (such as copper) for the final connection to the user. Although fiber optic deployment was still in its infancy in many areas during this decade, it represented the frontier for faster, more reliable Internet connections.
FTTH (Fiber To The Home): Brought fiber optic cable directly to the user's home, offering symmetrical speeds (equal download and upload) potentially exceeding 100 Mbps and beyond.
FTTB (Fiber To The Building): Carried optical fiber up to the building (for example, an apartment building), and then used other types of cabling (such as copper) for the final connection to the user. Although fiber optic deployment was still in its infancy in many areas during this decade, it represented the frontier for faster, more reliable Internet connections.

16.2 The Emergence of New Forms of Wireless Access:
The Freedom of Wireless Connection

In addition to wired connections, the decade 2000-2010 saw the emergence of new forms of wireless Internet access:

Wi-Fi (Wireless Fidelity): Wi-Fi technology, based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, became ubiquitous. Wi-Fi routers became common in homes, offices, and many public places (airports, cafes, libraries), creating Wi-Fi hotspots that allowed laptops, smartphones, and other devices to connect to the Internet without the need for cables. The evolution of Wi-Fi standards (such as 802.11g and 802.11n) led to a significant increase in wireless data transfer speeds.
Cellular Networks (3G and Later): Mobile networks made a leap in quality with the introduction of third generation (3G) and later technologies (such as HSPA). These networks made it possible to achieve much higher data transfer speeds than previous 2G networks (such as GSM), making it possible to browse the web, use applications and stream multimedia content on mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. Mobile connectivity became a key factor in accessing the Internet on the go.
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access): WiMAX was another wireless broadband technology that promised wider coverage than Wi-Fi and speeds faster than early 3G networks. Although not as widespread as Wi-Fi and cellular networks, WiMAX was implemented in some areas as an alternative to wired broadband.

16.3 The Impact of Broadband and Fast Connectivity:
New Online Possibilities

The increased speed and capacity offered by broadband and new forms of Internet access had a significant impact on online activities:

Video and Music Streaming: Broadband made it possible to seamlessly stream video (with platforms like YouTube becoming extremely popular and the emergence of on-demand streaming services like Netflix) and music (with services like Pandora and Spotify starting to gain traction).
Downloading and Sharing Files: Downloading large files (such as software, music, and videos) became much faster and more convenient. Sharing files between users, both legally and illegally, became a common activity.
Advanced Online Gaming: Broadband enabled more complex and immersive multiplayer online gaming experiences, with advanced graphics and real-time interactions with other players around the world.
VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol): Services such as Skype and others based on VoIP became increasingly popular for making voice calls over the Internet, often at lower costs than traditional telephone calls.
Cloud Computing (First Steps): The availability of faster and more reliable Internet connections laid the foundation for the emergence of cloud computing, with services that allowed users to store data and use applications online without the need to have them installed locally on their devices.

16.4 The Growing Importance of Mobile Connectivity:
Internet Always with You

Mobile broadband connectivity, made possible by 3G networks and Wi-Fi, radically changed user habits. Smartphones became increasingly powerful and capable devices, and accessing the Internet on the go became a reality for a growing number of people. This led to the emergence of "mobile-first" services and applications designed specifically for use on mobile devices.

16.5 Broadband Challenges:
The Digital Divide Persists

Despite significant progress in broadband deployment, the digital divide remained a major challenge. The availability and affordability of broadband varied greatly depending on geographic location (often disadvantaged rural areas) and the socioeconomic level of individuals. Ensuring equitable access to broadband for all became an important goal for governments and organizations around the world.

Another emerging theme was that of net neutrality , the principle that all data passing over the Internet should be treated equally, without discrimination or restrictions based on content, application, website or platform. The first discussions on this topic began to be heard around this time, with concerns that Internet service providers might favor some types of traffic over others.

The success of broadband and the emergence of new forms of Internet access in the decade 2000-2010 represented a fundamental evolution for the digital world.

The increased speed and capacity of connections allowed the development and diffusion of a vast range of new online services and applications, transforming the way people worked, entertained, communicated and accessed information. Mobile connectivity became increasingly important, bringing the Internet into the hands of more and more people on the move. However, important challenges remained to be addressed, such as the digital divide and the need to ensure fair and open access to the internet for all.