Pass Pass, here is a response to Mike's answer, from Mark Peden, to your question.
Mike,
You raise a good point, LMDS is positioned as a commercial technology.
Take a look at where the RBOCs are marketing DSL. You'll find that it
is specifically tailored towards the SOHO/telecommuter and
small-business market. Why undermine their T-1 business? I don't see
LMDS providing a threat to DSL deployment any time soon. I'd like to be proven wrong, as it could be one more accelerator for DSL deployment.
I believe LMDS will clearly be a niche product. How many people are
using DBS, DirecDuo or DirecPC to provide Internet access today? Any
idea? How will Teledesic come into play with its two-way high speed
service to be announced next year (see
academ.com )? I think
we're missing the boat. The real threat to the telcos will come from
our friends in Kirkland, Washington as they complete their global
satellite network shortly after we cross into the next millenium.
Especially after you hear what Microsoft and Intel will be announcing
later this year (hint: IP telephony).
Those with right-of-way will be in a race to provide fiber into the
commercial market, and ultimately into the home (follow the money). It could be our power, water, sewer, gas, cable, or phone company that
ultimately wins the race. Meanwhile, pay close attention to the folks
up north. They will really heat things up in the next few years. |
