woolstar@cit-vax.Caltech.Edu (John D Woolverton) (07/22/89)
The problem with expecting to have full ethernet, and
hundreds of ntsc TV channels is that the phone company
is not going to run enough fiber for each person to
have his own separate line, for several reasons:
First, the phone company can make a lot more money,
but laying down a couple of hundred fiber lines for
a whole city, and multiplexing 9.6kbaud digital
phone lines around. If you want 19.2k, you'll pay
more. If you want a T1 speed link, you'll pay a
fortune like you do now.
Second, for everyone to have their own 1Gbit link,
would require all the switching equipment for
audio links be replaced with 1GHz signal switchers.
This is INCREDIBLY EXPENSIVE. Are lab has a
very small number of 100MHz video switchers,
because they are so costly. This would also means
hooking up a phone to the fiber cord would require
several thousand dollars in electronics in the home.
What we may see is that instead of needing a
9600 baud modem, we may have direct connections.
The price of 19.2k 38.4k and 54k lines also may
come down in price, and the modem requirements
removed. A skewed data rate format: 19.2k one
way, and 600 baud the other (switchable direction)
would be usefull for home terminal/pc users.
Maybe the phone company will also through its
weight around and come up with some multiplexing
and addressing scemes.
The computer system in France is impressive.
With basic phone service, you either get a phone
book, or a computer terminal. You can use
the terminal to access the phone directory,
and also a growing number of computer services.
Over a million people in France today use it.
I'll be waiting, wire cutters in hand.
John d Woolverton, technician / Woolverton Video Bits
woolstar@csvax.caltech.edu : Just another EE hacker