Consumers Not Seeking Broadband Access in Expected Numbers
Monday's Chicago Tribune reported that telecommunications executives have become frustrated that a many consumers are unwilling to pay a premium for high speed Internet access. This article is interesting as far as it goes. But, the real issue is the lack of compelling, consumer-oriented applications that are not in imminent danger of being taken away.
One of the applications that has driven consumer broadband installations is acquisition of MP3 music files. If the entertainment industry developed a service model for delivering MP3 and other media content over the Internet that did not try to curtail "Fair Use", many more consumers would eventually have broadband installed. But, the entertainment industry has been cynical in its attempt to impose restrictions on digitally perfect recordings. In the process, they have nearly killed the only compelling reason for most consumers to have broadband.