Networked Broadband Households to Top 160 Million & Network-Connected Devices to Approach 1 Billion by 2010 -- According to new research from The Diffusion Group, global home network adoption is expected to grow from 35 million in 2004 to more than 162 million in 2010. This growth will be fueled in large part by broadband service providers who are beginning to push combined modem/networking solutions known as residential gateways (RGWs) into the homes of new broadband subscribers. TDG also forecasts that the number of network-connected devices will grow from 108 million in 2004 to just under 1 billion by 2010, growing from an average of approximately three networked devices per household in 2004 to approximately six devices by 2010. Despite the relatively tepid pace of global network adoption, home network penetration is nonetheless expected to reach millions of homes in Asia, Europe, and North America via service provider push strategies. Such push strategies will help drive significant network penetration in a number of countries.
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...