Note: This column represents the opinions
of the writer and as such, is not purported as fact
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Okay, warts aside, Telecom's revised DSL pricing finally makes a reasonably
fast level of internet access available to the masses.
There's just one little problem however...
Where's all the great broadband content?
And, if there's no really good broadband content, what are you going to
use all that speed and a 10GB cap for?
If you're into downloading ISO images of every piece of freeware that is
released then you'll probably gobble up your data allowance pretty
quickly with a 256Kbps DSL connection -- but what about those of us who
have a life -- what will we download?
The Aardvark PC-Based Digital
Entertainment Centre Project
Yes, at last, this feature
has been updated again! (31 Mar 2003)
Well there's the occasional news video, which is mainly repurposed broadcast
material that's been put online in streaming form -- but increasingly,
the sites that make this stuff available are categorising it as "premium"
content that requires a paid subscription to access.
There are also a semi-regular stream of movie trailers from various studio
websites -- but somehow I find it goes against the grain to pay good
money simply to download an advertisement.
If you're a PC gamer then it's pretty obvious what you'll be using your
data allocation and bandwidth for -- and it has been suggested to me by an anonymous informant that
the recent price/cap changes to Telecom's DSL service were actually driven
by Microsoft who were worried that the existing offering was scaring people
away from the Xbox Live service.
What about Ma and Pa Averagesurfer?
Well faster DSL still gives them the ability to free up the phone while
surfing the Net, but there's probably not a lot else in the way of benefits.
Sure, web pages load more quickly and it takes just 5 seconds instead of 15
to download your spam (oops -- I mean "your email") -- but, without a plethora
of compelling broadband content, what's the real benefit?
Let's face it, with the 10GB offering (the only one that actually guarantees you
wont be hit with a big bill if, for whatever reason -- virus, worm, DOS attack or
just plain excessive use) you blow your cap, it's still cheaper to get
a second phone line and stick with dial-up.
Right now, if Telecom wants to foster broadband uptake, it's going to have
to focus on fostering the local creation of good broadband content and
the ability to deliver it in such a way that it doesn't unreasonably eat into
a user's data cap.
Personally, I'd like to see some of the regional TV stations start streaming
their content. Although they tend to consist largely of really badly
produced material of little interest to most people, there are still some
real gems that appear from time to time. To be honest, I actually miss
Triangle TV since
moving away from Auckland and I'd love to be able to catch up with a few
of my favourite programs using the Net.
This content is already there -- it just needs to be streamed at a price
that is affordable for the broadcaster and the online viewer. What's more,
since much of this stuff is locally produced anyway, the usual problems
of getting online broadcast rights would be eliminated.
Come on Telecom, take some of that massive profit you're making out of your
online operations and give people a reason to take up your new DSL offerings --
start encouraging local broadband content providers. If you do this properly
it will be an investment, not a cost.
So what do you use your broadband connection for? What consumes most of
your bandwidth or data cap?
Drop into the forums
and let us know.
New Forums!
Yes folks, good news. The grotty ezboard forums have been replaced with
a new phpBBS-based system that won't assault you with a myriad of pop-ups and
other flotsam.
A big thanks to Managed Internet Solutions
for offering to provide this service.
You can access the new forums over at
aardvarkforums.co.nz
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