The everchanging internet

Heather said: "I was reading an article about how Verizon was looking to roll out Fiber Optic lines for lease to ISP's. They are already in over a million homes, and they are hoping to be in 3 million homes by the end of the year. This could really change how Cable operators do business. The price was under 50 a month, which is about what I'm paying now for just cable internet access. I think that people will switch.."

BarbBQ said: "with all of the talk about smart homes being the next big thing, they are probably going to be positioning themselves pretty good."

lil dickie said: "I think you're right. Let's face it, the US is starting to lag behind other countries when it comes to broadband access, and something needs to be done about it."

Heather said: "I have a theory about the internet changing everything. I think that it is going to evolve into a handful of (Pardon my expression here) "God" companies that are going to be formed through buy-outs and marketing agreements. Instead of ISP's (Internet Service Providers) there will be "Media Providers" as computers, televisions, smart homes and automobile technologies all merge into one bohemeth outlet to market to consumers and provide services etc. We'll see if my prediction comes true.."

lil dickie said: "This is already happening. Look at the SBC/Yahoo partnership. Look at how everyone is vying for set top box supremacy. LOOK AT HOW MOVIE THEATRES ARE NOW DIGITAL! Sorry, I got excited. :) Everything is digital. The convergence of data, video and content is upon us, and the complete transformation of all business at it exists is upon us. Hence attain the wonder of the changing strategy."

Heather said: "That is very true. I don't think that anything is decided as far as telecommunications are concerned. There are programs like VoIP that are starting to change the way people communicate. With webcams, you can even "talk to each other" as if your sitting in the same room. Even if you're 50 million miles away!"

AlfredSokol said: "Don't forget cellular networks. They're getting more popular all the time and people already have the phone in their hand. Why not video on your cell phone?"

BarbBQ said: "i love my cell phone. it has a camera on it that comes in handy sometimes. it makes a lot of sense to turn that into another media device, really. they are already in peoples hands."

TheInsider said: "Verizon (VZ) is in very good position, and after years of resturcting are lean and mean. They are very consumer proactive, and I feel they will enjoy continued grow as a result. SBC, AT&T and others will not be as competetive.. then as far as Verizon Superpages.. (Internet Yellow Pages) they rule the roost. I view Verizon as the strongest in telecommunication.. my opinion only."

Heather said: "I think they will be very prominent in telecommunications for a long while."

HappyHarry said: "What about Barry Diller and Interactive? He has been probably the biggest winner of the .com era in many respects. If he gets into search, they might make a real impact and change around everything."

Heather said: "I was reading today that G00G and IBM have both been investing in companies that are able to provide internet access through existing electrical lines. It wouldn't require any extra infrastructure, so it's sort of a good idea. I couldn't imagine plugging my computer into an electrical outlet for access though.."

alhamid said: "something like this worry me. from strategy standpoint why they gonna sell low margin access when they have high margin search products?"

roadwarrior said: "[QUOTE=AlfredSokol]Don't forget cellular networks. They're getting more popular all the time and people already have the phone in their hand. Why not video on your cell phone?[/QUOTE] 3gp videos are already very famous, and growing very fast"

Heather said: "Here is an interesting article about MS and AOL.. Thought I'd share: [URL=http://news.com.com/NY+Post+Time+Warner,+Microsoft+in+talks+over+AOL/2100-1038_3-5866559.html?tag=html.alert]Microsoft in talks with AOL[/URL] That could really change things.."

AlfredSokol said: "It changes the complexion of search for sure. Google currently supplies AOL with search results. That would switch about 8% of the market share to MSN. This is a very impressive strategic play for MSFT, IMHO."

Heather said: "And if they have ties with high speed internet through Time Warner, you could just download entertainment like movies, music or videos straight to your HD TV. or computer. If they make the fee structure attractive enough places like blockbuster could get a real run for their money.."

jhealey said: "[QUOTE=Hathor]I was reading today that G00G and IBM have both been investing in companies that are able to provide internet access through existing electrical lines. It wouldn't require any extra infrastructure, so it's sort of a good idea. I couldn't imagine plugging my computer into an electrical outlet for access though..[/QUOTE] They have been working on this for sometime now...I heard of this atleast 2 years ago. It is sort of like how they were attempting to create a new algorithm to send his speed data (broadband level) through phone lines but never did."

Heather said: "Phone lines are too slow. I think they called it ISDN..it never really took off.. Dead technology as far as the net goes. Cable and Fiber, though.."

drsuck said: "[QUOTE=Hathor]Phone lines are too slow. I think they called it ISDN..it never really took off.. Dead technology as far as the net goes. Cable and Fiber, though..[/QUOTE] Cable and Fiber are too slow they are coming out with something new in the next couple of months maybe years that will blow away fiberoptic and cable internet. Dr. Stock"

chahinemm said: "To my opinion its not really of an issue of what technology or speed but its mainly your use. If you use a lot that means that the speed u require is faster therefore you are ready to pay more for getting it. and vice versa. Also the fact that its not the technology but how the service is maintained to remain operational all the time and no problems occur. at least i think so. chahine"

Heather said: "[QUOTE=drstock]Cable and Fiber are too slow they are coming out with something new in the next couple of months maybe years that will blow away fiberoptic and cable internet. Dr. Stock[/QUOTE] Wouldn't surprise me at all. Every technology is getting outdated faster.. I'll keep my eyes peeled for info on whatever this technology is.."

drsuck said: "[QUOTE=Hathor]Wouldn't surprise me at all. Every technology is getting outdated faster.. I'll keep my eyes peeled for info on whatever this technology is..[/QUOTE] Yeah we use fiber in the office and I hate the speed, I cant believe we sent a man to the moon in a tin can but cant get faster speeds than Fiber or OC, its pretty pathetic. I mean come on if you have over 5,000 computers online its pretty shitty that you actually have to wait for a fucking webpage to load, it is crazy. Dr. Stock"

Heather said: "[QUOTE=drstock]Yeah we use fiber in the office and I hate the speed, I cant believe we sent a man to the moon in a tin can but cant get faster speeds than Fiber or OC, its pretty pathetic. I mean come on if you have over 5,000 computers online its pretty shitty that you actually have to wait for a fucking webpage to load, it is crazy. Dr. Stock[/QUOTE] I'm sorry to hear that fiber isn't fast enough for you. I'll keep my eye out for the next emerging technology.."

JaredLet said: "[QUOTE=Hathor]I have a theory about the internet changing everything. I think that it is going to evolve into a handful of (Pardon my expression here) "God" companies that are going to be formed through buy-outs and marketing agreements. Instead of ISP's (Internet Service Providers) there will be "Media Providers" as computers, televisions, smart homes and automobile technologies all merge into one bohemeth outlet to market to consumers and provide services etc. We'll see if my prediction comes true..[/QUOTE] I would have to disagree (mostly out hope that it doesnt happen). True there will be buy outs and huge market mergers, but the open source community is too strong. My prediction.....soon whole cities will either be hot-spots or have 3g access. I heard a rumor that the people at google were trying to make the whole city of S.F. a hot spot and i know other communities in the L.A./Orange County area have already achieved this....nevertheless it will be very interesting to see how things unfold."

JaredLet said: "[QUOTE=AlfredSokol]It changes the complexion of search for sure. Google currently supplies AOL with search results. That would switch about 8% of the market share to MSN. This is a very impressive strategic play for MSFT, IMHO.[/QUOTE] just wanted to add that google also supplies yahoo and other major engines with search results....which reminds me...anyone know who owns rights to ask.com? they seem like a big up and comer in the search industry."

Heather said: "I hope it doesn't happen either, but it seems that is the way things are going. Yahoo isn't powered by Google.. They are powered by Inktomi (owned by them) Here is a little more information on [URL="http://about.ask.com/en/docs/about/company_overview.shtml"]ask.com[/URL]"

JaredLet said: "Thanks for the info on ask.com hathor. I realize Yahoo isnt powered by Google, but they did buy in to their search technology in which sites are ranked by popularity(how many sites are linked to that site) and by crawling or spidering as opposed to scouring a directory of addresses input by human labor, which is what yahoo had previously used. Inktomi was a crawler based engine which followed google, then combined with altavista and alltheweb to form the current crawler based yahoo on the market today. I dont know if any of this has any meaning, but there it is:)"

HappyHarry said: "Yahoo has almost as much search capacity as Google now. Starting in 2003, they made a series of purchase of the big players: AltaVista, AlltheWeb, and Inktomi. They also acquire Overture (formerly Goto), for their entrance into the PPC game. They're a very serious challenger for the search crown."

JaredLet said: "Do you think att buying out bell south or sbc which had deals with yahoo on ISP rights will have any effect on their company?"

Harry said: "[QUOTE=Hathor]I was reading an article about how Verizon was looking to roll out Fiber Optic lines for lease to ISP's. They are already in over a million homes, and they are hoping to be in 3 million homes by the end of the year. This could really change how Cable operators do business. The price was under 50 a month, which is about what I'm paying now for just cable internet access. I think that people will switch..[/QUOTE] Hathor, I haven't read aboyut Verison "leasing" fiber space but here in NJ they are installing point to point fiber feeds. Right now many cable systems are fiber on the poll-lines but NOT to the home. The new Verizon FIOS system is already working for VOIP and internet and is the fastest thing out there today. Soon they will be offering a television service. Here's a link...I'm not sure anyone acctually get the TV service yet. [url]http://www22.verizon.com/FiosForHome/Channels/FiosTV/aboutfios.aspx[/url] Here in NJ cable TV lost a major court battle that would have prevented FIOS from overlapping into the various cable territories. Many people like me have the Cablevision TriplePlay...VIOP, High Speed Internet and cable TV. The TV has tons of high def, on-demand selections, tons of high definition channels. But Cablevision is still pricy. We're waiting to see how FIOS takes form and how it shakes up the competition. Investmentwise, in my state nobody seems to be exited about FIOS which puzzles me. If Verizon ever take a BIG drop I make grab it up anyway based of the FIOS tease. It will be interesting to see of other ISPs and even TV services will be allowed to partake in the infrastructure at some point."