In a recent set of broadband workshops, I talked at length about the increasing demand for bandwidth, and that it is necessary to set not the upper limit on our bandwidth needs, but only a lower limit--which I think is 100 megabits/second to homes and businesses.
What was interesting is that the skeptics were not business people, who were actually nodding their heads in agreement; they understand that they do not want their ability to grow their businesses and to create jobs limited by bandwidth.
Instead, the skeptics were most often Internet access providers, who often reacted angrily and with derision. I think the issue with most of them is that their current infrastructure and business models just can't make the transition to an economy where we take unlimited bandwidth for granted.
But the proof is in the emerging systems and applications. Take a look at HP's Halo Collaboration Studio, which requires 50 megabits/second to operate. Large corporations are investing heavily in this product, which costs nearly half a million dollars. As the price comes down, this will become a common business tool.
And if 50 megabit video streams seem like a lot, look at what is happening in the lab. Data visualization scientists are streaming complex simulations of cellular processes at an astounding 7.5 gigabits/second. Fortunately, this specialized content can be handled nicely by off the shelf 10 Gig/second network gear--expensive, but Ethernet cards used to cost $1000 in 1992, and now run about $25 if you buy one, and that $25 card is probably 100 times faster than the $1000 card. That change took place in less than ten years, so there is nothing kooky about looking at these high end applications today and expecting them to be commonplace in business in ten years.
How about your community or region? Are you willing to let short-sighted Internet providers choke off business growth because they are not willing to look ahead? If they are not helping you prepare for future business needs, who is?