Say, oh, 55 million cable customers (with its partners in @HOME), and millions more long distance customers. Many of whom at some point will watch TV, make phone calls, and surf the net via Cable.
Here's a scenario. One bill for your communications needs. You pay a flat rate and get TV, Internet, And Telephone included. Think of it this way, you could pay HBO $5.00 a month, Showtime $5.00, Disney channel $3.00, Playboy $8.00 a month, or you could pay your cable provider $15.00 a month for all of them. One day TV, ISP, and Telephone will work this way too. If you go with the package you will save.
So, you could pay AOL 19.95, Your local Phone co 29.95, your long distance carrier long distance calls, your Cable operator 39.95.
Or you could play ATT 79.95 for all of it. If the infrastructure is already in place for other cable applications, how much does it cost to provide long distance telephone? Not much. What if Long distance calls in the US were free as part of the package?
This is what T has to offer @HOME. Being part of a killer package. AOL still has to rely on others to actually provide their service.
Jay |
