Based on recent RFPs issued from most of the RBOCs (Ameritech, Bell
Atlantic, PacTel, GTE, etc.) it looks like they think mid-'97 is achievable.
Most are looking for more than simple point-to-point ADSL modems.
They wantf ATM-based access concentrators/multiplexers for multiple
ADSL lines.
I'd also like to know the 'true cost' per subscriber for unlimited (or limited)
monthly Internet access over 6Mbps ADSL. The RBOCs have been saying
the access line charges would be $40-$50/month but what will the subscriber
have to pay the ISP on top of that. If you pay $40 to $200 (depending on
your ISP and the quality of service) for ISDN 2B (128kbps) access, what
will ISPs have to charge for ADSL rates of 1.5Mpbs to 6Mbps? After all,
ISPs are, among other things, reselling bandwidth from internet backbone
providers such as MCI, Sprint, and UUnet. I think the penetration of ADSL
in residential areas will be very low unless: 1) Internet backbone providers
find a way to significantly reduce costs (more than an order of magnitude
since ADSL increases the access rate by more than 10X), or 2) Residential
users will pay for ADSL without realizing a dramatic increase in performance,
or 3) there is massive increase in the number of people working from home
and therefore, having their own business or their employer pay for the
high-speed ADSL access.
Anyway, I don't think ADSL will see a great deal more deployment than we've
seen for basic rate ISDN in recent years.
Let me know what you think. Am I missing something here?
Regards, Tony |
