Bill Koss has submitted a fascinating if dense post on Verizon FiOS over on SeekingAlpha. The main thrust of is that Verizon’s changing the rules of the broadband game the same way the H.M.S. Dreadnought changed the rules for naval fleets a hundred years ago. Okay, it’s a bit of an obscure reference, but the analogy is pretty apt.
Mr. Koss is arguing one thing that I’ve found lacking in most other discussions of FiOS, namely that Verizon is probably taking the most strategic route to long-term broadband success. Sure the cost of laying fiber is obscene, and the risks are not insignificant. But at the same time Verizon is literally laying the groundwork for a future of nearly infinite broadband demand.
The Online Reporter touches on the subject too in the article, “‘A 100 Megabit Nation’ by 2015.” Among other issues, fiber has the potential to keep the US competitive in a global broadband market.
My question is, while Verizon is busy stirring up one revolution in connectivity, how will other revolutions play out simultaneously? The revolution toward all-IP networks? The “convergence” revolution? (Thanks to Michael Gartenberg for the Michael Mace link.)
FiOS service is definitely a stronger contender in the bandwidth race. Other businesses will probably offer low monthly fees to compete with Verizon.
Bandwidth Buyers Guide