ISDN vs. Cable modems

1.0 Introduction The Internet is a network of networks that interconnects computers around the world, supporting both business and residential users. In 1994, a multimedia Internet application known as the World Wide Web became popular. The higher bandwidth needs of this application have highlighted the limited Internet access speeds available to residential users. Even at 28.8 Kilobits per second (Kbps)--the fastest residential access commonly available at the time of this writing--the transfer of graphical images can be …

…but it is foreign to the cable industry. As the concluding chapter discusses, the resulting closed market structure for cable subscriber equipment has not been as effective as the open market for ISDN equipment at fostering the development of needed technology. In addition, commercial development of both cable and ISDN Internet access has been hindered by monopoly control of the needed infrastructure--whether manifest as high ISDN tariffs or simple lack of interest from cable operators.