Well, xDSL technology is certainly a part of it.
Don't believe what you have heard about availability and problems with ADSL. It is out there. I've seen it, I know people that have it at their houses and businesses, via GTE where I live, and where trials have been going on for a year.
We would all have it today if wasn't for the PUC's regulations. Without sounding elitist, the problem is that the poor neighborhoods where there are relatively few PCs and the rich suburbs all have to be pre-wired before ANYBODY can get the service.
Caller ID? That's been around since the 70's. It took that long to figure out how much to charge for it, and get past legal issues with privacy vs security.
The only other hurdle is that the xDSL-on-a-chips such as the Motorola Coppergold are just starting to come into production. A few years from now, a 6,400kbs modem will cost the same as a 28.8kbs modem. For now, an ADSL modem is still in the $800-$1,000 range.
As for the technology that allows the same phone number to work for internet, voice, fax, etc..., that is why the telcos are buying RS/6000s like crazy. It takes a lot of iron for the switches to accomplish that. You can't roll this technology out until you have built the infrastructure. |
