GAO study on broadband deployment questions FCC statistics.(General Accounting Office)

The General Accounting Office (GAO) has released a new report regarding broadband deployment in the US. ["Broadband Deployment Is Extensive throughout the United States," available at http://www.gao. gov/new.items/d06426.pdf.] About 30 million US households purchase, or have adopted, broadband service, but it is difficult to assess the extent of gaps in the availability of broadband in local markets.

Using a survey of US households, the GAO found that 28 percent, or about 30 million, subscribed to broadband service in 2005. In addition, 30 percent of surveyed households subscribed to a dial-up Internet service, and 41 percent did not access the Internet from their …