With all this talk floating around about broadband access to the Internet, let's take a closer look at what it really is and what is the "state of the art" in the Philippines. Here are some frequently asked questions on Internet broadband access and their answers:

- broadband is a high-speed data connection capable of sending several channels of information simultaneously, usually the data pipe is rated at greater than 128 kbps.

- the US FCC considers a data connection of higher than 200 kbps as broadband

- there are four common ways to bring broadband to the subscriber; namely, cable modems via the cable TV network, DSL (digital subscriber line) modems via the telephone network, fiber-optic modem via the fiber-optic network, and satellite access modem via the satellite network.

- companies requiring fast data transfer for applications like on-line transaction processing from far-flung terminals

- those who need instantaneous transfer of large amounts of data like in video conferencing, remote video monitoring, video-on-demand, video/audio streaming, etc.

- those who can't abide by the low access speeds available on dial-up Internet connections, considering that a color video clip occupying 1/4 of a computer screen displaying 5 frames per second needs at least 3 million bits per second if without compression or 56 thousand bits per second with compression. note that normal home TV display rate is 30 frames per second.

- it depends on what the service provider allocates for each subscriber but broadband is certainly much faster than the speediest dial-up modems (33 kbps upstream, 56 kbps downstream) with maximum speed capability as follows:

- for broadband via DSL modem, data transfer speeds can reach 1 Mbps (1000 kbps) upstream and 6 Mbps downstream

- for broadband via cable modem, data transfer speeds can reach 10 Mbps upstream and 27 Mbps downstream

- for broadband via fiber-optic cable, data transfer speeds can reach 100 Mbps upstream and 100 Mbps downstream

- for broadband via satellite, data transfer speeds can reach 128 kbps upstream and 512 kbps downstream

- different service providers can provide broadband to the subscriber; namely, cable modems via the cable TV company, DSL (digital subscriber line) modems via the telephone company, fiber-optic modem via a telecoms company, and satellite access modem via the satellite network service provider.

- some cable TV network providers offer broadband access via cable modems, ex. ParaSat, Destiny

- some telephone companies offer broadband access via DSL modems, ex. PhilCom, BayanTel

- some telecomm companies offer broadband access via fiber-optic cable, ex. Eastern

- a few satellite providers offer broadband access via satellite access modem and dish antenna, ex. DreamSat

- fiber-optic - high bandwidth available, high initial cost of specialized equipment, expensive cabling, upstream and downstream data rates about equal, deployed in selected metropolitan areas

- cable - high bandwidth available, moderate initial cost of special equipment, moderate cost of cabling, highest upstream data rate about one-third of downstream data rate deployed usually in urban areas

- DSL - medium bandwidth available, low initial cost of special equipment, low cost of cabling since it can use existing telephone lines, highest upstream data rate about one-sixth of downstream data rate, deployed mostly in urban areas

- satellite - medium bandwidth available, high initial cost of special equipment, no cabling, highest upstream data rate about one-fourth of downstream data rate, can be deployed to urban and rural areas

- In the Philippines, only those in major metropolitan areas are lucky enough to have broadband access available.

- In Metro-Manila, there are several telephone companies who provide DSL service. There are some cable TV operators who offer broadband cable TV access in some areas. There are also a few telephone companies who offer fiber-optic cable access in selected areas. Check with your nearest telephone or cable company if it is available at your site.

- In Metro-Cebu and Metro-Davao, there are a few companies offering DSL and cable modem broadband access. Inquire from your nearest telephone or cable company if it is available at your site.

- In theory, satellite service is, available anywhere but the network provider may not have dealers within your area

- In other areas of the country, you are very lucky, indeed, if a company has an offering of DSL or cable broadband access available in your area since it takes a lot of capital investment in the equipment and wiring/cabling needed to provide this service. Verify from your nearest telephone or cable company if it is available at your site.

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