High-Speed Net Lines Increase in U.S.

By: Anick Jesdanun, AP Internet Writer (AP) The number of high-speed Internet lines in the United States increased 42% last year, and service now is available in all but 7% of the nation's ZIP codes.

In a semiannual report, the Federal Communications Commission said 28.2 million homes and businesses had high-speed lines. Cable modems made up 58% and DSL 34%.

Most of the country had choice. Seventy-eight percent of the nation's ZIP codes had at least two companies providing service; 11% had 10 or more (serving a ZIP code does not necessarily mean it is available to everyone in that region).

But 7% of the ZIP codes had no high-speed service at all. The figure exceeded 20% for South Dakota and West Virginia, and 15% for Arkansas, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska and North Dakota.

For DSL service, which uses souped-up phone lines, 84% came through the traditional Bell phone companies.