Disruption in the Smart Home
It is just getting started, but there already many alternatives for the consumer to create a smart home experience. Tom Kerber of Parks Associates points out that many of the smart home developments shown at International CES are from upstart companies that have devices and don’t necessarily rely on service revenue. An an example, he mentions a connected oven that includes a full audio and video system. He calls it a very exciting time, in terms of new product introduction. It will be great to catch up with Tom and the rest of the Parks Associates team at the Smart Energy Summit, February 25th to 27th.
To get a preview of that event, click here to watch the interview with Tom from CES 2013.
North to Alaska – Broadband Around the 49th State
Alaska is a state like no other in terms of geographic size, topography, climate and low population density. In this interview, filmed at the 2012 ACA Convention, Terry Nidiffer of GCI descirbes GCI’s aggressive efforts to bring more reliable and faster broadband by replacing satellite back haul with a combination of microwave and fiber to reach underserved areas through a project they call TERRA. Click here to view and read more.
We will be looking for Nidiffer to give us an update in a couple of weeks at ACA’s 2013 Summit in Washington D.C.
Fiber to the Island
From Alaska, we travel to Charleston, SC, where we were honored to catch up with Daniel Island Company president, Matthew Sloan. A 2007 recipient of the Urban Land Institute’s prestigious “Awards for Excellence”, Daniel Island is a national model of smart growth and a Fiber to the Home network is integral to its success. Sloan, describes their vision to create a distinct community, while serving as an extension of Charleston, South Carolina. Twenty years later, with some 3,000 residences, scores of businesses and 8,000+ people, Daniel Island is delivering on its promise to Charleston. Click here to view and read more.
From Online Video Platform to National Videographer Network
Finding enough revenue streams to cover the fixed costs associated with a local content production is often a challenge for independent operators that are also producers of local content. BizVision, a privately held, Crocker Ventures backed company, looks like it could offer operators a couple of new revenue opportunities. In the past few years, BizVision’s platform has gained good traction in the professional education space and they are now moving into a complementary space by creating a national network of videographers. Click here to read more [Club Viodi Members]
Some Tweets and Short Thoughts:
- Excellent resource website from FTTH Council. Example of its excellence is this white paper from Paula Chenchar Hänus of OmniTel Communications discussing the importance of corporate culture to FTTH success.
- Interesting statistic from Federal Reserve study cited by FCC in its press release regarding its efforts with HUD to improve digital literacy, “…students with a PC and broadband at home have six to eight percentage point higher graduation rates than similar students who don’t have home access to the Internet.”
- Pretty cool if this can be made practical for FTTN applications. It would represent the ultimate in optical isolation. One would think it would eliminate lightening issues with ONTs, as well providing lifeline power via the fiber (or, would it be called “lightline” power).
The Korner – Exercising the Brain with a Subscription Model
Dakim Brain Fitness demonstrated the consumer version of their product at International CES 2013. Dan Michel advocates for exercising the brain for all people who are over 50. His product has been used by health-care professionals for years. At the consumer level, in March, they will be introducing a subscription model, where anyone can access the program from the comfort of their home.
As he points out, their service could be part of a broadband provider’s bundle and that it could be adapted to broadband or TV. Michel’s background is from the entertainment industry (e.g., Columbia Pictures), so he understands the importance of entertainment in keeping people engaged in what could otherwise be boring activities. He suggests their therapy creates new neurons and synapses, which build a cognitive reserve, helping to fight off effects of cognitive decline.
Click here to view.
