The state of the info highway

Article Abstract:

There are many obstacles to interactive video on demand, and the price of digital set-top boxes is still too high to be commercially successful. Developers are still working on the technology, and cable companies are starting to experiment with educational and information services. The Telecommunications Act may help cable companies compete with phone companies and get into voice telephony and interactive services. Cable companies are upgrading to fiber-optic backbones, giving them the ability to either add more traditional channels or provide near-video-on-demand services. Some companies are upgrading to hybrid fiber-coaxial networks, which require a special hybrid set-top box to be installed in each home. Hybrid fiber-coaxial networks would allow some limited interactive services, although few operators will introduce these services because of the network and set-top box issues that would have to be addressed.

Forecasts and trends, Industry trend, Computer-telephone integration, Computer telephony, Cable television, Cover Story, Cable television/data services, Interactive media, Interactive technology

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Content should get personal, not repurposed

Article Abstract:

Infrastructure companies are not making alliances with content companies to repurpose the content in an interactive format. In fact, they are merely licensing the content for delivery over digital networks. Regional Bell operating companies are spending large amounts of money to develop their own content, although they are not likely to become major players. The infrastructure companies bring the most value, not from creating the movies, but by providing the enabling technology. The transmission companies should instead focus on developing their own infrastructures to broaden available bandwidth for personal interactive communications. Still, the infrastructure companies are very concerned over content and are putting too much emphasis on old content from large media organizations.

Information services, Information services industry, Technology Information

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Universal ADSL looks ahead

Article Abstract:

Universal Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) is being pushed by the telecos as an option to 56Kbps, 128Kbps, ISDN and 2Mbps cable modems. The cable companies have been slow to adopt ADSL. However, Microsoft, Compaq and Intel have joined the RBOCs in acknowledging their support for the new Universal ADSL standard. Universal ADSL provides 1.5-Mbps downstream and 384-Kbps upstream connectivity. Universal ADSL lines are continuously on, unlike current modem lines and are capable of supporting simultaneous voice communications, which eliminates the need for a second phone line. Installation of Universal ADSL is much like that of a traditional modem, because it does not require a splitter to separate the data and voice capacities.

Telegraph & other communications, Specialized Telecom Services, Wired Telecommunications Carriers, Standard, Standardization, DSL, DSL (Digital subscriber line)

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