Please see attachment for instructions
W3 Discussion Instructions: Broadband access solutions
In 250 word, answer the questions below with 4 evidence base scholarly articles in APA format.
1. Discuss important trends in broadband solutions that are emerging
2. What would you like to see in the next several years emerge or refined as “the standard” for broadband communications.
In 400 word total, replying to the 2 post below. Each reply must be 200 word.
J.N Post #1
My first IT job was working for AT&T, working in the helpdesk department supporting DSL services. Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) was classified as broadband because it had higher data rates than dial-up. I recall how customers were increasing the number of devices at home and DSL couldn’t provide enough speed. Many customers were hesitant to switch over to AT&T fiber services, they didn’t trust it… weren’t sure if it was going to work. However, younger customers understood that their smart homes needed faster speeds and upgraded to fiber services.
Fiber-to-the-Home (FTTH) is becoming more popular offering ultra-high-speed internet with reliable multi-gigabit speeds, due to the increasing demand for bandwidth for more connected devices and media content. With effort s to expand broadband access to rural and underserved areas, supported by federal bunding programs like BREAD Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment, is designed to close the digital divide. Personally, since I didn’t grow up with internet access, I would like to see the following emerge as “the standard” for broadband communications: fiber access to all households, regardless of location, providing consistent/ high-speed connectivity, affordable high-speed internet service, and AI-powered networks enhancing network efficiency predicting outages, and enabling personalized services.
References:
Bedolla, O. (2025, January 22).
9 telecom trends shaping 2025. Intraway Blog.
Comer, Douglas E..
The Internet Book : Everything You Need to Know about Computer Networking and How the Internet Works, CRC Press LLC, 2018.
ProQuest Ebook Central,
Community Broadband Networks | Rural Broadband | Corning. (n.d.-a).
D.J Post #2:
Broadband technology is advancing rapidly, with exciting developments anticipated in the years ahead. One significant trend is the continued expansion of fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks. These networks offer unmatched gigabit-level speeds, lower latency, and dependable connectivity. FTTH is ideal for modern day applications that require higher speeds such as 4K streaming, virtual reality, and cloud computing. Internet Service Providers (ISPs) like Verizon, AT&T, and Google are investing heavily in FTTH infrastructure, aiming to make it the standard for broadband in metropolitan areas.
Wireless broadband technologies are also breaking new ground with the rollout of 5G networks worldwide. These networks are providing faster speeds, ultra-low latency, and support for a massive number of connected devices. These emerging networks are becoming critical for enabling smart cities, the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, and edge computing. On the horizon is the development of sixth-generation (6G) networks. Early research is already underway, promising even greater speed and highly advanced applications, including real-time holographic communication.
The utilization of satellite has become another path companies are looking to for broadband solutions. Companies like Starlink and OneWeb are deploying low-earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellations to deliver high-speed internet to remote and disadvantaged areas. These systems will play an essential role in bridging the digital divide by providing reliable internet access where traditional fiber or wireless infrastructure is impractical. In the future, the integration of FTTH, 5G, and satellite technologies will create a robust and inclusive broadband ecosystem. Achieving interoperability, standardization, and equitable access will be critical to ensuring everyone benefits from these technological advancements.
References:
Becher, Brooke. “6G: What It Is, How It Works, When It Will Launch | Built In.”
Builtin.com, 17 Oct. 2023, builtin.com/hardware/6g.
Excitel. “The Future of Broadband Emerging Technologies and Trends.”
Excitel, 31 July 2024,
www.excitel.com/blogs/the-future-of-broadband-emerging-technologies-and-trends/.
“Exploring the Potential of LEO Satellites for Broadband Access | Bipartisan Policy Center.”
Bipartisanpolicy.org, bipartisanpolicy.org/blog/leo-satellites-broadband-access/.
