When you bring a portable PC on a business trip.
It can not be used with a DSL modem.
Not exactly true. Most of the hotels that have installed high-speed internet are doing it using a variation of DSL technology. It lets them use the copper wire to the room (even if there's only one pair), and saves having to run CAT 5 wire -- very expensive except in new construction.
You don't bring your DSL modem, just your Ethernet card. I've used it, it works. Most of the major hotel companies have selected vendors and are installing it now, with major deployments scheduled for 2001. Expect it to be widespread within 12-24 months.
Hotel market is pretty big, about 3 million rooms in the US alone, with maybe 50% penetration in 2-3 years. Those numbers aren't shabby vs. today's residential/small business DSL market - not the same potential, but faster buildout. Not sure if COVD supplies anything to this market, certainly some of the equipment is common with what they do, but you don't have the same setup at the central office, as it runs on a T1 out of the hotel. CAIS, STSN, Wayport, and a few others seem to be the leaders in the segment. Not sure any will survive, the shakeout there has been as bad as in DSL. Might be some good acquisition opportunities for someone like COVD if they can find a white knight to fund it.
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