Broadband Use Rises 34% in ’04

High-speed Internet use by U.S. businesses and households rose 34% in 2004 to 37.9 million lines, the Federal Communications Commission said Thursday.

FCC Chairman Kevin J. Martin cited the figures as proof that the agency’s broadband policy was working.

DSL service increased 45% last year to 13.8 million lines. Cable modem use climbed 30% to 21.4 million lines.

Other Internet connections using wireless and satellite increased 50% to 500,000 last year, the FCC said, while use of optical fiber and power lines rose 16% to 700,000.

Late last year, the agency made a number of decisions designed to spur broadband deployment by easing network-sharing rules for Bell companies.

Critics, however, note that the U.S. ranks as low as 16th in terms of broadband use among major countries.