craig@com2serv.C2S.MN.ORG (Craig S. Wilson) (01/16/90)
In article <17@fmsystm.UUCP> macy@fmsystm.UUCP (Macy Hallock) writes: >Perhaps the question should be: Will we see reasonably priced switched >56/64 kbs access in our time? Not all of us are part of large company >networks...we need public access to switched data networks at 56 kbs >without ISDN crap and at costs comparable to a standard POTS line. Improved quality and capability with no increase in costs? Sounds like a tough order to fill, even in a "competitive" communications marketplace. I am not defending gouging of customers, but I believe that the communications companies have to make money on what they are doing or they won't do it. And the costs of installing the equipment and lines to support better communications has got to large. >Easy access at resonable cost is what made fax what it is today. >Only when this occurs for 56 kbs will G4 fax fufill its potential. One major difference to remember is that Group I, II, & III facsimile products were designed to work over the existing communications networks. The design criteria took the existing communications quality into account along with the intended use of the transmitted document (to be interpreted by humans). Most people have much higher expectations for Group IV. They will want better quality documents transmitted at higher rates. And this will be had when the communications networks around the world are upgraded. And someone will have to pay for it. So, for awhile at least, be prepared to be satisfied with GIII capabilities, build a private network, or purchase services from someone else's network. >The telcos view ISDN as a "revenue enhancement" opportunity as opposed to >a universal service commitment and are acting accordingly. There are no >plans afoot to bring this technology to small businesses and small >communities that I know of. > Macy M. Hallock, Jr. macy@NCoast.ORG uunet!aablue!fmsystm!macy Oh, I am sure that they have plans to improve the communications capabilities of ALL of us. It will be a matter of when. The large markets will be first so that the return on investment will be highest. Once the amount of installed equipment reaches a certain point, the cost to install will drop to a point where they can provide smaller markets with the new equipment and services. "Competition" may speed the installation, but by how much, I do not know. I must say that I am not now, nor have I ever been a member of a "telephone" company. I just use their services. My opinion of THE TELEPHONE COMPANY is expressed best in the movie: "The President's Analyst" with James Colburn. /craig