Movielink and Verizon announced the launch of a co-branded movie downloading service for Verizon Online's consumer broadband subscribers -- "Verizon Online's consumer DSL and FiOS Internet Service customers can now purchase and download movies to watch at home or on-the-go through this special agreement with Movielink. The new service offers a full library of titles, including a special selection of hit films for 99 cents or less from Movielink, the first broadband video-on-demand (VOD) service to offer hundreds of major motion pictures for legitimate download. A broadband connection is required to download the movie, but once it's on their hard drive, users can view it at any time from home or on the road without being connected."
Try to imagine this scenario, that General Motors and Ford were given exclusive franchises to build America's interstate highway system, and also all the highways that connect local communities. Now imagine that, based upon a financial crisis, these troubled companies decided to convert all "their" local arteries into toll-roads -- they then use incremental toll fees to severely limit all travel to and from small businesses. Why? This handicapping process reduced the need to invest in building better new roads, or repairing the dilapidated ones. But, wouldn't that short-sighted decision have a detrimental impact on the overall national economy? It's a moot point -- pure fantasy -- you say. The U.S. political leadership would never knowingly risk the nation's social and economic future on the financial viability of a restrictive duopoly. Or, would they? The 21st century Global Networked Economy travels across essential broadband infrastructure. The forced intro...