Controlling Key Distribution Points in the Digital Home Value Chain will Determine Who Gets Lion's Share of $90 Billion US Broadband Profit Pool -- "The digital home revenue and profit landscape will be determined in large part by which players dominate key "control points" in the digital home, according to The Diffusion Group. several examples of these control points, include: Network access - the physical link to the home; Media access, including protocols and formats - including digital rights management (DRM), asset management, and video standards; Delivery and application platforms - including content delivery, device management, and operations system and support software/middleware; and Unique and defendable IP - including content creation and imaging technologies, as well as operating systems. As convergence technologies work their way deeper into the broadband homes, competing players will have the chance to solidify market position and extract higher profits from the total pool - a pool that is expected to grow from $50 billion in 2005 to almost $90 billion by 2010."
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...