10 Ways Usage Based Internet Access will Change the Internet Landscape
I’ve posted a couple of articles(here and here ) about how some major ISPs (ATT and COMCAST) are piloting usage based Internet access, and it got me to thinking of the possible impacts this could have on how the Internet is used in the future.
1. Everyone will pay more. (I guess this is kind of obvious). Even if there is an unlimited plan its going be more than what we are paying now. (Look at wireless phone service plans as an example.)
2. People will finally secure their WI-FI networks since they won’t want to pay for their neighbors surfing.
3. No more free WI-FI hotspots at coffee shops and hotels.
4. Large ISPs will partner with various bandwidth heavy sites/apps (Video,Backup) to provide services that are ‘exempt’ from usage charges.
5. There will be less video/multimedia on the web.
6. Alternate connection methods that provide unlimited access will see an upsurge (WI-MAX,Satellite, 2nd Tier DSL).
7. There will be less “cloud” computing apps for small business and home users.
8. Google will come up with a low bandwidth items search options.
9. People will be downloading less ‘free’ software to try out. (This may help the Post Office since it may be cheaper to mail a CD/DVD than download, and the Post Office needs help.)
10. Plain-text email will make a comeback.
Those are some of my predictions, what do you think ?
By Ad Hustler, April 10, 2009 @ 1:31 pm
Useage based internet is a huge mistake and its actually regressive rather then progressive. The companies trying to meter the net like Time Warner will see a backlash when customers switch to services like FIOS. Metering the internet is like going back 10 years when we paid for dial up minutes. Its simply not going to work.
By Jeff Spiller, April 10, 2009 @ 4:19 pm
It certainly would seem to freeze development and adoption of technologies that those same companies (TELCO/CABLE) want to promote.
By steve, trade show booths, April 29, 2009 @ 10:23 pm
Jeff,
I hope you are wrong… but you’re probably right. With more and more streaming video it seems one has to start charging for bandwidth usage, which is a bummer. I think there will be a backlash, but the ISPs will probably offer economy plans with usage limits that work for the vast majority of us. It will be interesting to see! ~ Steve, aka trade show booths
PS. Just so long as people keep shopping and buying things online, like trade show booths for example!
By Jeff Spiller, April 30, 2009 @ 7:13 am
In the long run, you have to have some sort of ‘rationing’ of this resource, I’d much rather have the market do it then regulation. — Thanks for the comment
By How I Lost T h i r t y P o u n d s in Only a Month, May 6, 2009 @ 4:34 pm
Hi, cool post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for writing. I’ll likely be coming back to your posts. Keep up great writing