This book explains why Asia leads the broadband revolution while the United States and Europe struggle to keep up.

Explores broadband adoption and the digital divide through a global perspective. Presents research on constructs such as relative advantage, utilitarian outcomes, hedonic outcomes, and service quality. Provides multicultural insight into what factors influence consumers' decisions to adopt broadband.

This book provides an up-to-date account of the technologies, organizations and dynamics which constitute the digital economy, and assesses the impacts they have on regions and communities.

Integrated analysis of the technologies, markets, and business of Residential Broadband In thirty years, the worldwide market for high-speed information services to the home will reach SI trillion. This book explains how and why. Beginning with tutorials and a few touches of history to position residential broadband today, this essential guide examines how competing technologies will struggle for supremacy in a chaotic market. It stakes out the battles between ADSL and cable modems, IP and ATM, telephone companies and CATV companies, televisions and personal computers, and professional applications and consumer applications. It does so with reverence for none-some will win and some will lose as the market emerges over the next decade or so. Our guide is kim Maxwell, an entrepreneur and executive who has spent twenty-five years inventing ways to make communications technologies and markets fit together. His analysis takes some surprising turns: * The Internet will not be the dominant network for residential broadband. * Despite its current power, IP may over time give way to ATM for residential broadband. * Cable modems have the early lead, but the DSL tortoise will catch up. * Fiber to the Home and the Information Superhighway are at least fifteen years away and depend upon HDTV. * Despite regulatory intentions, residential networking will return to a monopoly within thirty years. * Computers and televisions will not converge. * Ethernet will dominate home networking. * Video-on-demand will not be a viable market for at least five years. * In the long run. Consumer applications such as shopping and entertainment will dominate the more near-term applications for Internet access and telecommuting. * But, the market can only begin with the personal computer and its natural applications-Internet access and telecommuting.

Innovation in information and communication technology (ICT) fuels the growth of the global economy. How ICT markets evolve depends on politics and policy, and since the 1950s periodic overhauls of ICT policy have transformed competition and innovation. For example, in the 1980s and the 1990s a revolution in communication policy (the introduction of sweeping competition) also transformed the information market. Today, the diffusion of Internet, wireless, and broadband technology, growing modularity in the design of technologies, distributed computing infrastructures, and rapidly changing business models signal another shift. This pathbreaking examination of ICT from a political economy perspective argues that continued rapid innovation and economic growth require new approaches in global governance that will reconcile diverse interests and enable competition to flourish. The authors (two of whom were architects of international ICT policy reforms in the 1990s) discuss this crucial turning point in both theoretical and practical terms.

Access to broadband connectivity is a country s passport to the global information society and knowledge economy the future. However, the adoption and use of broadband technology today remains extremely uneven and threatens to create a new digital divide. At the end of 2009, countries in North America and the European Union accounted for more than 50 percent of the world s 1 billion fixed and mobile broadband subscriptions, but South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa together accounted for less than 3 percent. The experience with mobile telephony though shows the potential for growth in the information and communication technology sector in developing countries. Almost 75 percent of the world s mobile telephone subscriptions are in low- and middle-income countries, which have also promoted exciting innovations and realized significant economic development benefits. In fact, a growing number of countries are seeking to spur broadband development. To aid governments as they design their own programs, this volume offers examples and ideas from some of the most successful broadband markets: particularly the Republic of Korea, but also Finland, France, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States. 'Building Broadband' does not suggest a universal solution but rather provides a long list of policies and programs organized within a strategic framework that allows solutions tailored to country circumstances. The essential building blocks identified are useful everywhere because they focus on improving incentives and the climate for private investment. This is a policy that even countries with very limited resources will be able to exploit.

In an era where digital connectivity is as essential as electricity, "The Broadband Battle: Wireless vs. Fiber" offers an in-depth exploration of the two leading technologies that drive the modern internet—wireless broadband and fiber optic networks. This book is a thorough investigation into the technological, economic, and social dimensions of this ongoing competition, providing readers with a comprehensive understanding of how these technologies shape our world.... What the Book Covers: Historical Context: The book begins by tracing the evolution of broadband technology, from the early days of dial-up to the emergence of high-speed internet. It sets the stage for understanding the rise of wireless and fiber as the primary means of delivering broadband connectivity. Technical Breakdown: Readers will gain insight into the workings of both wireless and fiber technologies. The book explains how wireless networks, including 5G, transmit data through radio waves, and how fiber optics use light to achieve unparalleled speed and reliability. The pros and cons of each technology are analyzed, helping readers grasp their strengths and limitations. Infrastructure and Deployment: The book delves into the complexities of building and maintaining broadband infrastructure. It discusses the challenges of deploying wireless networks, such as the need for extensive cell tower networks and spectrum management, versus the labor-intensive process of laying fiber optic cables and addressing the last mile problem. Economic and Social Impact: The choice between wireless and fiber has significant economic implications. This book examines the costs of deployment, the impact on consumer pricing, and how these technologies affect the digital divide. It also explores how broadband access influences economic development, job creation, and societal progress. Future Trends: As technology continues to evolve, so does the broadband landscape. The book looks ahead to the future of both wireless and fiber, considering advancements like 6G, terabit-speed fiber, and the role of artificial intelligence in network management. It also touches on the geopolitical stakes of broadband leadership, particularly in the context of global power dynamics. Wireless vs. Fiber: A Comparative Analysis: The book concludes by weighing the case for each technology. While wireless offers mobility and rapid deployment, fiber excels in speed, reliability, and long-term investment potential. The book suggests that the future may not be a zero-sum game but rather a hybrid approach where both technologies coexist and complement each other... Who Should Read This Book? "The Broadband Battle: Wireless vs. Fiber" is a must-read for anyone interested in the future of technology and connectivity. Whether you're a tech enthusiast, a professional in the telecom industry, a policymaker, or just a curious reader, this book provides valuable insights into the forces shaping the digital age. It offers a balanced perspective on one of the most critical technological debates of our time, helping readers understand the implications of the choices we make today for the internet of tomorrow.