July 28, 2008

e-Clippings (Learning As Art): Broadband in 77% of U.S. Households by 2012 and that might not be gerat news

Broadband in 77% of U.S. Households by 2012 and that might not be great news. So PC World is reporting on a Gartner study that says that upon reaching a high threshold of broadband penetration "ISPs will concentrate less on building out their networks to reach new customers and more on expanding what customers can do with their broadband Internet connections." This appears to be good news for those of us in urban or suburban areas but less so for those in rural areas.
e-Clippings (Learning As Art): Broadband in 77% of U.S. Households by 2012 and that might not be gerat news


Mark points out that ISP's will focus on existing areas. This is not such good news for West Virginia. I know a lot of people still stuck with dial-up. My parents for one. Interestingly, they are in a Verizon services area so maybe they will be within this group who would benefit from the ISP looking to improve those they currently serve.

I can't tell you how frustrating it is not to be able to leverage current communication tools with my parents because Verizon just hasn't got to them.  What could be very simple tech support activities are way more complicated.  This is why we need more options.  It would really be great to see some additional ISP providers come up with alternative solutions. There is a demand for it, if some one could just build it.

4 comments:

  1. Anonymous9:47 PM

    Lee,
    I disagree. West Virginia is much better off than one might think. According to this report by Marshall University in 2005, http://www.marshall.edu/cber/research/broadband/Final%20Rural%20Broadband%20July%202005.pdf , 93% of zip codes in WV have one or more carriers.

    Granted, there are all sorts of problems when broadband deployment is calculated. (I posted about it here http://wvoptimist.wordpress.com/2008/03/20/fcc-finally-updates-broadband-tracking-policy/ ) It's incredibly frustrating.

    Also. Dave Bach VP of Suddenlinke's Atlantic region, has said they will invest $35million in WV for deploying to new areas, faster data, and more HD.

    The most difficult barrier for entry of new broadband providers is infrastructure. It all comes down to data lines. Verizon has this state covered with traditional copper and fiber (at least to the roadside COs). Suddenlink is getting there, but nowhere near as comprehensive.

    We could always do better and now is not the time to sit and wait, but I think we're off to a great start.

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  2. Great comment. I was specifically referring to broadband and I am specifically frustrated by the what seems to be a lack of urgency/efficiency on providers. In appears that there are some locations where infrastructure was at least close and it is still taking years to deploy it to residents.

    The other issue that is frustrating, is the way that demand for broadband is reported in the study you reference and how I hear ISPs reporting it. While I can't argue their findings, I would suggest that the demand has changed as the perceived value (and actual) of the internet has changed. Since 2005 there have been so many technological changes that have provided additional utility to all internet users. I think that the demand is on a steep upward curve that looks like the adoption of social networking tools, online banking, and online communication uses.

    I really hope that West Virginia can overcome whatever barriers are there and offer broadband to everyone.

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  3. Anonymous4:39 AM

    It has to be a good news. Because dial up connections sucks......

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  4. Anonymous4:30 PM

    thanks for this . So thanks again and in the spirit of community - I’m following you up!

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