Table of Contents For This Issue

Heard on the Net

News about People and Companies influencing The Broadband Home

Briefly Noted: Updates, Observations and Trends

Each month, we collect miscellaneous happenings, studies, trends or observations that you might have missed. This month’s tidbits include updates on "Dating on Demand", the digital music market and interactive TV.

Wi-Fi's Leap Forward: Adding MIMO To The Mix

Since we first used Wi-Fi in our home in 2000, the technology has made fantastic strides and the latest generation of devices based on MIMO is another leap forward in both throughput and range. We summarize here the results of our third round of tests of Wi-Fi devices, which showed us how far the technology has progressed.

"Ma Bell" Fades Away

People have life cycles and so do companies. SBC's acquisition of AT&T will end its 128 years as an independent company. We reflect on the transformation in the US telecommunications industry and how AT&T saw the future but couldn't live to be a part of it. It took convergence seriously and made some bold moves--but was unable to execute the actions required to be one of the survivors in the new world it foresaw.

Upcoming Conferences -- The National Show in San Francisco

We'll be at the 2005 National Show in San Francisco in early April. We've organized and will moderate a panel discussion on the role of wireless for cable operators. If you're at the show, look us up and say "hi"!

Your Voice -- Readers Comments

We heard from readers interested in WiMAX and Video on the Go, and from one who would like more coverage of European companies. We also heard from someone active in municipal Wi-Fi planning, plus some kudos on our home networking coverage.