Associates Degree Online

Local telephone companies have been expanding their DSL fiber-optic networks, and the federal government would continue to give these companies money until broadband becomes more widely available and even telephone service is carried through the Internet, Boucher said. Students enrolled in online college classes and pursuing online degrees can access their school work through wireless services, telephone company dialup and high speed DSL services and by broadband services with wireless and satellite options. With broadband, content is transmitted through a "pipeline", and access to streaming media, Internet telephone services, interactive offerings and games are high quality, the FCC's broadband Web site notes. Many have also mentioned a move toward HD video, Boucher noted.

President Barack Obama has expressed a desire to make higher education more accessible, and he recently signed an education bill into law that provides more tuition assistance to students pursuing online degrees. For students with work and family responsibilities, higher education often becomes more accessible as a result of online college classes and online degree programs with flexible formats.