High-Speed Internet Connections Boomed In 2000High-Speed Internet Connections Boomed In 2000

The number of high-speed Internet connections in the United States rocketed 158% last year to a total of 7.1 million lines, according to a Federal Communications Commission report released Thursday. The report, compiled every six months, is based on data collected from Internet service providers around the country.

High-speed Internet access was available in all 50 states, according to the report, and in 75% of the nation's ZIP codes, up from 56% at the end of 1999. Residences and small businesses used 5.2 million of the new lines.

Coaxial cable connections accounted for the greatest number of connections, with 3.6 million lines, or 51% of the total. Asymmetric DSL accounted for only 28%, or 2 million lines, but showed the strongest growth, booming 435% for the year, compared with cable's 153% expansion. The report included figures for all of 2000.

Analyst Adam Guglielmo at telecom research firm Telechoice says DSL won't be able to keep up that rate of growth. Weakness in the economy and higher prices will slow its spread, he says, and the high-profile shutdowns and consequent service outages from DSL providers such as NorthPoint Communications Inc. will prove to be a significant hurdle. "It has led to a lack of confidence, especially among business customers," he says. "A lot of people who were in that situation switched to cable."