But wireless technology is not improving as fast as the kit behind fixed-line internet services did in the 1990s.

ECONOMIST: Saturated mobile networks

But the FCC has attempted to strike a balance by prohibiting fixed-line internet service providers from blocking customers from access to any legal content, applications or service.

BBC: Q&A: The network neutrality debate

The new measures now formally require anyone signing agreements to access the internet, fixed-line telephone and mobile devices to provide network service operators with "genuine identification information", known as real-name registration, Xinhua reports.

BBC: China approves tighter rules on internet access

By 2005, the American firm expects there to be 1 billion fixed-line, 1 billion wireless and 1 billion Internet users.

ECONOMIST: Mobile telecoms

According to Motorola, the world has about 800m fixed-line subscribers, 200m wireless users and about 200m Internet users.

ECONOMIST: Mobile telecoms