Title: Broadband competition for additional avenues for enhanced consumer connectivity: bridging the final physical barriers

Authors: Alan D. Smith

Addresses: Department of Management and Marketing, Robert Morris University, Pittsburgh, PA 15219-3099, USA

Abstract: Currently, regulated utilities, cable, and telephone own the broadband transportation medium to the consumer home. The focus of this research is on the attempts of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to creatively bypass or partner with facility owners in order to gain shares in the broadband market. Broadband internet access was once a luxury that businesses could only afford. Consumers dissatisfied with dial-up speed and reliability that they are looking for more. Utilities are taking advantage of their connectivity by transmitting data over their existing copper telephone and cable connections. Non-utility ISPs are using wireless, cellular and satellite technologies to bypass the connectivity. Whether facility-based or not, broadband providers have a $17 billion market for potential users. For providers to share in this market, they will have to compete on price, reliability, customer service and more.

Keywords: broadband competition; diffusion theory; e-commerce; electronic commerce; internet service providers; ISPs; satellite internet access; services; standards; Telecommunications Act 1996; wireless internet access; price; reliability; customer service.

DOI: 10.1504/IJSS.2007.015229

International Journal of Services and Standards, 2007 Vol.3 No.4, pp.491 - 510

Published online: 28 Sep 2007 *

Full-text access for editors Full-text access for subscribers Purchase this article Comment on this article