Eric, I think you've opened the door to a classic "double standards" scenario.
"AOL has to have some form of "openness" where they allow the DSL line to be used for other purposes. How technically feasible is this? Straightforward or a little messy?"
This is precisely what AOL is asking of ATHM, as well. Is it not?
Yes, it's entirely feasible, probably nothing more than setting permissions in their authentication and accounting software at the access level. It does raise the question, however, of whether or not AOL would charge a toll for access to non-AOL services. We're back to the same set of conditions, then, as T/ATHM wanting to charge a premium for AOL on cable.
For anyone lurking in at this point, we're going over a hypothetical situation. Go back and read the past six or so posts for background, if this interests you and you are having a hard time following. I know that I'd be lost if this were the first post I tuned into.
Regards, Frank Coluccio |
