DSL Continues To Top World Broadband Count

from telecomweb (27 Oct 2007)

Continues to dominate the world broadband picture, with a 65.87-percent market share, according to research done by Point Topic for the DSL Forum, which says the percentage is virtually unchanged from a year ago.

Cable broadband comes in a fairly distant second at 21.89 percent, and most of that is represented by the dominance of cable in the United States and Canada, the only two countries in the world where cable broadband holds sway.

The DSL Forum figures broadband delivered via fiber at 10.8 percent worldwide, but those estimates are challenged by the rival FTTH (fiber to the home) Council, which thinks the DSL folks are behind the times in their count. Satellite, at 0.28 percent, and “other” at 1.16 percent represent the mélange of Ku-band and Ka-band satellite, broadband over powerline (BPL), wireless broadband of all ilk and perhaps even jungle drums.

Travelers leave cell phones behind

Reuters, NEW YORK, Oct 26 (Reuters) -

Travelers want to go green and stay clean in the next year -- and they don't want cell phones disturbing their peace, according to an annual survey of travel trends.

TripAdvisor, a travel Web site, surveyed more than 2,500 travelers globally, finding the top trends were concerns about germs, the growth of green tourism, and opposition to cell phone use on planes.

It also found emerging hotspots for vacations in 2008 were Jerba in Tunisia, Makandi Bay in Egypt and Phangnga in Thailand.

"The major trends we're observing are that travelers value cleanliness above all else and are becoming more environmentally conscious," Michele Perry, spokeswoman for TripAdvisor, said in a statement.

The survey found 80 percent of respondents were concerned about germs, bacteria and viruses when traveling.

Airplanes were deemed the most germy, according to 28 percent of those polled, with public transportation next, followed by restaurants, hotels, and airports.

In keeping with the germaphobia, 55 percent of travelers said they tend to wash and disinfect their hands more often while traveling with 27 percent of Americans -- up from 22 percent in 2005 -- taking disinfectant, cleaning supplies, shower shoes, pillows, towels or linens, when going on a trip.

Nearly half -- or 45 percent -- of travelers said their worst experience at a hotel was a dirty bathroom or dirty sheets but 17 percent said they encountered vermin.

Travelers are going greener, with 26 percent planning to be more environmentally conscious in their travel decisions in the coming year, with plans ranging from biking to hiking

They clearly don't want cell phones disturbing their peace, with 78 percent of travelers believing that mobile phones should not be allowed on flights.

The survey found that 53 percent of travelers said it takes less than a day to unwind on vacation while 35 percent take 1-2 days to relax.

Travelers will average about three vacations in the coming year with beaches getting hotter as 64 percent plan to vacation at a sandy spot this year, compared to 59 percent last year.

Using a system that looks at various criteria such as search activity and postings, TripAdvisor predicts the rising stars in travel.

It said the top three emerging world hotspots for travel are Jerba, Tunisia, Makandi Bay, Egypt and Phangnga, Thailand.

Rounding out the top 10 are Kovalam in India, Sabaudai in Italy, Asilah in Morocco, Ko Phangan in Thailand, La Plagne in France, Yangshuo in China, and Kotor, Montenegro.