A new Pew Research study has been released that indicates 70% of Americans have broadband access at home. Economic factors seem to be the greatest determinants of likelihood to subscribe to broadband at home, but the study did not account for adults who opt to forgo home internet access a because they have access at work, potentially skewing broader access statistics. After broadband subscriptions dipped in 2010, the numbers continue to rise, with the Pew statistics indicating an unsurprising all-time high broadband subscribership.
Tag: Broadband
Millennials And Cord Cutting: TV Everywhere A Must
With the rise of Over-the-Top providers, cutting the cord has never been easier according to a new study from Miner & Co Studio. The report states that 13% of 18-34 year olds (8.6 million) who already have broadband service are committed to a broadband-only existence with Pay TV and broadband crossovers moving away from the cable model. The key driver appears to be consumer demand for VOD and live streaming TV everywhere. Also interesting is the lack of desire for offline content, saving shows to watch during periods without connectivity.
Google Has Big Plans For Google Fiber
Google Fiber has mostly been Google’s pet project, but recent news from suggests the internet giant has big plans for their broadband initiative. Google’s Chariman Eric Schmidt recently announced that Fiber will no longer be just an experiment and that they will be expanding their footprint beyond their Kansas City trial. With many calling it the highest speed internet available, those outside of tornado alley can rejoice.
Super Wi-Fi certification program announced: Spectrum Bridge offering
Here Comes Super Wi-Fi
Across the planet, broadband is getting faster & faster — Tech News and Analysis
Across The Planet, Broadband Is Getting Faster And Faster
The economics of Google Fiber and what it means for U.S. broadband — Tech News and Analysis
The economics of Google Fiber and what it means for US broadband
A temporary setback for net neutrality
Proponents of net neutrality were dealt a harsh blow last week when a U.S. appeals court ruled that the FCC could not stop Comcast from slowing service on peer-to-peer file sharing site BitTorrent. The unanimous written decision from the judges never rebukes net neutrality philosophically, but claims the FCC overstepped its powers in the realm of broadband regulation.
In all likelihood, Comcast’s victory will be the catalyst for a larger showdown that could play out in one of two ways. In the first scenario, the FCC will push back by redefining broadband as a Title II service and reassert it’s right to enforce net neutrality. Doing so would require the FCC to make a compelling argument for the switch and could be met by a challenge from the Telecommunications and Cable industries that would take the issue back to the courts — possibly to the Supreme Court eventually. A second scenario, and perhaps the more appropriate solution, is that Congress directly defines the FCC’s authority (or lack there of) in the realm of broadband regulation. Continue reading “A temporary setback for net neutrality”
2009, the dawn of the connected TV?
Broadcom announced this month that LG Electronics had selected its BCM3549 Media SoC (System on a Chip) as the core for its new line of connected HDTVs. The new LG models will feature their Netcast Entertainment Access which provides viewers access to broadband content and services including Netflix and media widgets right through the TV screen.
This announcement further supports the prediction that 2009 will see the dawn of the Connected TV. Although, to be fair, Sony has had a broadband TV solution since 2007 through their Bravia Internet Video Link. The BIVL, which provides a wide variety of hyper-syndicated & premium content to certain Bravia models, is a small broadband-connected device that connects to the back of the set. This year Sony is scheduled to begin shipping the Bravia XBR9 and Z-Series which have the BIVL module integrated in the TV. Continue reading “2009, the dawn of the connected TV?”
Why Obama’s DTV delay is a bad idea
There’s talk in Washington of a delay of the transition to digital TV. I can understand the reasoning – the federal program that offered $40 vouchers for those who want to buy the devices needed to pick up digital signals, ran out of money.
While I sympathize with the reasoning, delaying the transition is a very bad idea. Here are four reasons why:
(1) It turns a minor bungle (the underfunded voucher program) into a much bigger bungle. For years now, the switchover date has been drilled into our heads. To push back the date is going to cause more confusion than just biting the bullet and going through with it.
(2) Second, the transition has been, if anything, far too overhyped. According to a recent report by Nielsen, only 5.7% of households are unprepared for the transition.
CES 2009: The future of video
Ubiquitous video to the consumer was the topic of discussion in a Digital Hollywood panel I attended at CES. Rather than focusing on the publishers and media buyers, this panel was manned by those creating and running the infrastructure that allows consumers and marketers to create, optimize, distribute, measure and monetize video.
The group keyed in on IPTV, cable TV and broadband video channels and shared a variety of opinions and insight that will give a sense of the current and future business of internet connected video. Continue reading “CES 2009: The future of video”
