Technology is great, but builders know it can be a waste of time too. If homebuyers don't actually want electricity, why bother to include electrical wiring in the construction? If homebuyers don't want indoor plumbing, why bother with the pipes?

Believe it or not, the time has come to mention broadband technology in the same breath with plumbing. Homeowners want it. The graph on this page shows what homeowners are doing with it, and what they plan to do with it in the future. In this month's cover story, Richard Frank of LeisureTech Electronics calls structured wiring just another utility that must be included in construction.

There is a difference, of course. But even if they don't need broadband technology in the sense that they need plumbing, more Americans want broadband access these days. And many, including Frank, say that initial wiring must prepare homes for broadband connectivity now and in the future. For one thing, it's an upgrade that builders can sell. Also, homeowners won't have to deal with a difficult retrofit later.

According to CEO and president of the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) Gary Shapiro, broadband penetration is expected to reach 43 million homes in 2006, up from 1.8 million in 1999.

That's a big jump, but it's expected to get higher. CEA data, including the chart on this page, indicates that the number will continue to grow steadily.