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SBC and Microsoft to Provide HDTV Over IP
Chroniton writes "SBC Communications (The #1 DSL provider in the US) is announcing new plans for broadband deployment, including internet, HDTV, and VOIP service: "With today's announcement, SBC will significantly accelerate its previously planned deployment pace and now plans to reach 18 million homes by year-end 2007. Through Project Lightspeed, the company will deploy 38,800 miles of fiber - double the amount used to build out the company's DSL network - at a cost of $4 billion to $6 billion."
This comes in response to an FCC ruling which shields IP-based networks from traditional telecom regulation. Speeds are expected to reach 15-25 Mbps, enough for HDTV: "To take advantage of this new network, SBC companies and Microsoft have begun testing an IP-based switched television service based on the Microsoft TV IPTV platform. This infrastructure would enable features such as standard and high-definition programming, customizable channel lineups, video on demand, digital video recording, multimedia interactive program guides and event notifications. IP-based television services will also allow TVs to interact with other devices in the home, including computers and PDAs." More details available here and here"
welllll.... lets see, Microsoft, rather famous for it overpriced crap, and SBC, also famous for overpriced crap, and not to mention their customer service which has atitutde that makes Napolean Dynomite look like the crown prince of whales {btw has anyone see older pictures a George W Bush and think 'damn all he needs is the glasses and moon boots.'} So from this combination of two great evils shall spring forth a monster of a telecomunication/entertainment the likes of which the world has never imagened. I mean even Chuthulu will say "Damn!". This venture can only lead to more sheep, and continued dumbing down of america and the world. Subdigation will no longer be a option, but a requirement, and you best bring your own jar o' vassaline when call the help desk cuz this time not only do they not care what you have to say, they won't have to watch what they say to you for the shall be the the almighty-mega-conclomerate-super-ultra-panultimate -super-power-grand-poo-bah of the communication and entertainment industry, and it is you who will bow to them if you want your "aqua teen hunger force" or your "simpsons" or your "south park" or your "fill in the subversive cartoon here" {i woudl say realtiy show but those that watch thsoe have already lost any right to free will in my book and need to have red dots painted on their heads so when the mental unstable snap and climb tall towers with high powered rifles they can be the first to go...but i digress} so um, yeah that's all i got to say about that, except this all just my opinion, i could be wrong.