Communications-Related Headlines for February 3, 2003

BROADBAND
Broadband Broadens Its Pitch
Growth: Cities Try to Cash In

INTERNET & SOCIETY
Political Points in the World's Fair of Technology

BROADBAND

BROADBAND BROADENS ITS PITCH
With consumer adoption of broadband Internet services at a standstill, ISPs
have sought new ways to build their customer base. Beyond the "early
adopter" phase, ISPs are targeting the "early majority," who need to be
convinced of the value proposition that broadband offers. Some of the
strategies include discounts on bundled services, tiered pricing based on
speed, and low prices over the first few months of contracts. Onlookers are
optimistic that shared wireless solutions will continue to provide the
innovation necessary to stimulate growth.
[SOURCE: The Washington Post, AUTHOR: Mike Musgrove]
(http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A9370-2003Feb1.html)

GROWTH: CITIES TRY TO CASH IN
Once considered a distraction meant for techies, WiFi technology has become
the cornerstone of urban redevelopment for many US cities and communities.
While municipal grants have served as the seed money for many such projects,
community governments are relying on a variety of different business models.
Ashland, OR is building its own fiber-optic infrastructure and will charge
wireless providers a monthly fee for access to the system. Other cities are
counting on license fees and higher tax revenues from businesses that will
set up shop in areas where they can offer customers wireless high-speed
access.
[SOURCE: CNET News, AUTHOR: Sandeep Junnarkar]
(http://news.com.com/2009-1033-982322.html?tag=fd_lede1_hed)

INTERNET & SOCIETY

POLITICAL POINTS IN THE WORLD'S FAIR OF TECHNOLOGY
Artists often use their work as a means for political activism. The Internet
now makes this form of political expression broadly available for timely
viewing. London artist Andrew Forbes has taken this notions to create a
forum for artists he calls the Wartime Project (offline.area3.net/wartime).
A virtual gallery with an anti-war theme, the Wartime Project has 83 digital
works currently on display. Forbes' intent was to present war to young
people in an effort to educate about its more destructive side.
[SOURCE: The New York Times, AUTHOR: Matthew Mirapaul]
(http://www.nytimes.com/2003/02/03/arts/design/03ARTS.html)

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