Final answer:
Privacy and throughput arise as concerns when many broadband cable subscribers share the same local line, which can affect the quality of service. This situation contributes to the ongoing debates surrounding net neutrality and the digital divide, implicating how Internet service is provided and regulated.
Step-by-step explanation:
Broadband cable requires many subscribers to share the same local line, thus raising concerns about privacy and actual (versus theoretical) throughput. This shared infrastructure can lead to congestion during peak usage times, which may degrade the speed at which users can upload and download data, affecting the quality of service. These issues are a part of the larger national debate regarding net neutrality and the digital divide, which respectively concern the fair treatment of data by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and the disparity in Internet access between different communities.
The digital divide primarily affects rural and low-income urban areas, where the availability of high-speed Internet is often lacking. The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) plays a crucial role in regulating broadband providers to ensure they do not create a dichotomy between the 'haves' and 'have-nots' of Internet service. This regulation aims to promote equal access and avoid a tiered Internet where only certain users can afford the fastest speeds.