Has Broadband Become a Utility?

Back when the Internet first became a reality for home use, it seemed like a bit of a luxury. Sure, there were practical applications such as researching a paper for school or e-mailing a relative, but there were plenty of other more practical ways of accomplishing the same goals.

Slowly but surely though, Internet service became a necessity for most people and made the jump from luxury to utility. As it did, we required faster and faster speeds and so began the age of broadband. Again, at first broadband seemed like a bit of a luxury, but now it almost seems like a necessity. So, has broadband become a utility as well?

I think it has for my family, at least. Sure, lots of broadband applications like gaming and movies are not exactly necessary for day to day life, but pause for a second and imagine your life without broadband. You wouldn't be able to watch those videos of your nephew that just got uploaded to YouTube without buffering for hours. You wouldn't be able to easily download files from work when at home. Uploading pictures to Facebook would take so long you'd have to plan it in advance. I can't imagine any of that any more than I can imagine life at home without water or gas service!

What do you think? Has broadband become a utility? Let us know in the comments.

Ready to start comparing high-speed Internet options in your area? Head over to our broadband center and enter your address now!

High-Speed Internet Customer Service Links

High-speed Internet. It's rampaging across the world like some kind of monster movie, only the monster is awesome and lets you watch gems like Brendan Fraser's goofy clapping while browsing your favorite Web sites. This high-speed monster is a kind monster, and likes to give you lots of bandwidth.

Even though high-speed Internet has seen rapid growth in the last few years in the U.S., it is not quite everywhere, and is continuing to move from home to home. It's becoming the norm now to have faster Internet, so much so that people are expecting free WiFi at hotels and in other publicly visited places.

In fact, high-speed Internet is one of WhiteFence's most ordered products for the last couple of months, which still surprises me. I suppose I've been used to having it for a few years, so I forget that other people might not have made the plunge yet. Seeing as how there are dozens of providers out there providing all these megabytes to PCs (and Macs, I know) across the country, I figured I'd post links for their high-speed customer support centers all in one place. That way, if you've got any questions about a provider, you can check it out.

Hughes Expands High-Speed Satellite Internet Access for U.S. Troops

Hughes Network recently announced that it has expanded high-speed satellite Internet access for U.S. troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan. Available at U.S. military bases, the broadband Internet service is being delivered via the company’s new operations hub in Dubai.

“Hughes Network is proud to provide high-speed Internet service to our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, reinforcing the military’s Morale, Welfare & Recreation efforts in the region,” said Rick Lober, vice president and general manager of Hughes Defense and Intelligence Systems Division.

HughesNet high-speed satellite internet service is currently available at U.S. military bases in Afghanistan, Iraq and Kuwait.

Hughes Honored for Satellite Internet Industry Leadership

Hughes, providers of the popular HughesNet high-speed satellite Internet service, received a 2009 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Leadership this week for their efforts in the consumer satellite broadband industry. The award is given to companies that demonstrate superior innovation, customer service and leadership and winners are chosen by a panel of industry analysts.

Speaking about the award, Hughes senior vice president Mike Cook said that the company is “proud to receive the 2009 North American Frost & Sullivan Award for Market Leadership for our HughesNet high-speed Internet access service.” He went on to say that “from online banking and shopping to social media applications, the demand for broadband is growing unabated and we look forward to continuing to lead the way in meeting the needs of our subscribers.”

It’s been a very positive summer for Hughes, as last month they were able to report a massive gain of 18,000 HughesNet subscribers during the second quarter. The total number of HughesNet subscribers now tops 470,000. HughesNet is an always-on, satellite Internet service that allows those not served by cable or DSL providers to enjoy the full experience of a high-speed Internet connection.

Broadband for All Americans Part of Stimulus Package

The Federal Communications Committee has been tasked with proposing a plan for all Americans to have broadband access as part of President Obama’s economic stimulus package. This plan must be delivered to Congress by February 17, 2010 and take into consideration key opportunities such as how to reach all Americans with broadband service, how to maximize use of current broadband infrastructure and methods for broadband to increase consumer and economic activities.

Cable companies and telcos will receive portions of the stimulus package and it’s likely that unserved and underserved populations will be primary recipients of individual funds. To stay abreast with progress on this initiative, visit FCC.

Dial-Up Makes a Come Back

Just when you thought dial-up had gone the way of the dinosaurs, it makes a steady come back. Who would have thought that dial-up Internet service could compete with DSL, high-speed and satellite Internet connections.

Well it turns out the economy is bringing back dial-up. In times of a recession, budgeting, economizing, down-sizing and saving money, consumers are starting to question the need for speed.

I mean if you're into gaming and downloading movies and tv shows then going back to dial-up is definitely not for you. But, if you're looking into cutting back on spending and you just check e-mail and occasionally surf the Web, then going to an economical dial-up connection is definitely the way to go.

To read more on this topic, read the article Postponing Dial-Up's Demise, that I found on The Wall Street Journal Web site.

Happy Holidays from WhiteFence

Everyone here at WhiteFence wants to wish our loyal readers a very Happy Holiday season!

We hope your:

• Table is filled with yummy food and desserts. Mmmm turkey and stuffing, or tofurky if you're veggie and pumpkin pie, no wait, apple pie, or any pie you like.
• Holidays are filled with friends and family. The more the merrier!
• House is warm and cozy with the power of natural gas.
• Holiday lights are nice and bright and humming with electricity.
• Home phone is connected so you're able to contact friends and family that are far and near.
• TV services like cable or satellite are working perfectly so you can enjoy your favorite holiday shows.
• Pocket book isn't empty from buying presents. But if you spent too much, just click on over to WhiteFence and enter in your address to shop and compare rates to find a lower rate on your home phone, Internet, utilities and more and begin saving money in the new year!

Japan's High-Speed Satellite

Blast off! Japan sent a satellite into orbit over the weekend, full of high-speed aspirations— the idea is that this satellite can provide all of Asia with blazing high-speed internet. A successful launch took place on Saturday evening, with the rocket taking off from the Space Center located at Tanagashima island.

Supposedly, the satellite will be of value to Japan for the next 5 years, supplying a signal that will allow for up to 1.2 GB per second download speeds. While the service won't be available until July, Japan is hoping to provide high-speed internet to rural areas that are hard to access given the current infrastructure.

Find out more at ECanadaNow.

HughesNet Reaches Customer Milestone

Hughes Network Systems announced this week that the number of HughesNet small business and residential subscribers surpassed 325,000 during the fourth quarter of 2006, an 18 percent growth over the same period in 2005, demonstrating continued steady growth in satellite broadband subscriptions among consumers that do not have access other means of obtaining high-speed Internet services.

"There are a considerable number of people in communities across the country who still are unable to receive high-speed Internet access through cable, DSL, or other terrestrial means," said Max Engel, Satellite and Broadband analyst at Frost & Sullivan. "For those consumers, satellite broadband offers an excellent alternative to their dial-up service."

During 2006, the company successfully transitioned to the HughesNet brand and launched a new subscriber platform and service plans, offering subscribers enhanced quality, speeds and performance.

"The continued growth in our subscriber base is a testament to the service quality we are delivering today," said Mike Cook, senior vice president of Hughes. "By focusing on our customers' needs and service innovation, we are satisfying our subscribers and further solidifying our position as the leader in the satellite broadband market."

For more information, check out the press release Hughes Reaches New Pinnacle in Subscriber Numbers.