Geodog

Dial-up? I'd never go back

An interesting mini-article in the NYT, Price Is Limiting Demand for Broadband, arguing that the price of broadband, $40-$50 per month, is limiting its adoption. The article says only 15% of households get broadband, although 70% are technically capable of doing so.

I agree that it is hard to sell the benefits of broadband, especially to someone who isn't a regular net user. But, having been one of the early adopters (3 years ago), I can't imagine going back to dial-up, and I can't imagine anyone who has broadband going back. Waiting for a connection? Waiting for a page to load? Opening one window at a time? No thanks. We have had to cut a lot of expenses in Geodog's household over the last year, but the extra $300 per year we pay for broadband is at the bottom of the cut list. I suspect that my experience is a common one. So, while the rollout may be slower than some would like, it seems inevitable. It is like the Tivo/PVR features. Hard to explain and sell, but once experienced, it is sold.

The article is also flawed in that it fails to discuss all the supply side constraints on provisioning broadband to the 70% who are technically capable of receiving it. The author has apparently never had to deal with Pac Bell or his local cable company. Check with Mike Masenick of Tech Dirt, who lives in one of the most wired places on earth, for his hilarious saga about his efforts to get broadband.