Always two way cable for all of them. The one way cable is to the tv. Soon that same cable will carry signals for the computer, your pcs phone, and tv. Downstraem is always considerably more fast than upstream partially because you don't have the equipment that the sender has. Say, 2-3 times so. Nitrous can tell you if he gets his tv feed from the same cable, but eventually there will be one cable from the local RDC or headend loop to your site and from there the cable will be split to your various boxes.
Telcos will like the fact that their lines won't be clogged, but won't like the fact they aren't getting their monies. They'll sue TCI and other cable operators for "unfairness". They will say they deserve some money from you because they invested in ISDN and DSL to help you.
ATHM is currently the only pure play in this bag. Recently on this thread discussions have taken place about arising competition from TWX's Road Runner. Seems a new company is being formed from the ex-UMG cable backbone and TWX content providing to go head-to-head with ATHM. This casts doubt on ATHM's infinite upside potential, but provides necessary competition. Your company will have to earn its success. That means you really have a viable investment. But you'd get that anyway because the rising tide of market growth raises all boats (JFK).
Both services will be available in LA. Who delivers best and soonest remains to be seen. You'd be captured by your local cable carrier at first, but this boundaried territory stuff from "onw-way" cable won't abide in the new cable world. Whatever service you want will have to be made available, because the telcos have already set a precedent on this when the Communications Act was passed. The telcos own the wires, but they have to let competitors rent usage of them. These issues have neither been fully resolved nor tested in court, however, they will be soon.
Your questions provoke very profound issues that I have only superficially addressed. I hope others will chime in with the many possible alternative views.
Also, see #855 |
