Video Internet Broadcasting of Ephrata, Wash., announced its plans to buy Provo Cable by the end of this month and begin “triple play” IP television, internet access and voice over the fiber lines.
The $40 million “iProvo” project involves construction of a fiber-optic network to deliver high-speed Internet, phone and cable television access. The local system serves more than 2,400 residents.
VIB will offer iProvo-connected homes and businesses. HomeNet integrates phone, television and Internet services and promises speeds up to 100 megabits per second at the same cost (or lower) than cable and phone competitors.
The ultimate success or failure of iProvo could affect the survival of Utah’s state-wide Utopia network, which is still securing funding from cities that have pledged to be a part of the network. Originally, 18 cities planned to be a part of the state-wide project, but now, only 11 remain. Salt Lake City voted against funding the project in March.
Meanwhile, Time Warner Cable is delivering 6 Mbps, ($65 - $75 unbundled) to San Diego. The latest cable modem standard boosts upstream bandwidth from 4.6 megabit per second (per neighborhood loop) up to 30 megabits per second. That means cable providers should be able to deliver upload rates of between 512 kilobits and 1.5 megabits per second per household. Of course, in Japan, where they have REAL competition, Yahoo provides 8Mbps service for $17.92 (USD).
The New York Times “Living the Broadband Life” (free Google), outlines how high speed internet has changed people’s lives. Many people now consider broadband a “must-have” utility, that brings communications and information to their door.
The Internet Home Alliance consists of a diverse group of companies from networking giant Cisco Systems to appliance maker Whirlpool and consumer goods company Procter & Gamble that hope to make it so.
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