I don't know about you, but we continue to be mindboggled at the prospects of broadband over powerline as it stretches on to make headlines. Have your doubts? Simply go to Newegg.com or your favorite online equipment supplier (who offers powerline networking products) and read the reviews of people already using powerline solutions. And those reviews are of the slower 14Mbps devices. Simply wait until Intellion demonstrates HD IPTV streaming at 200Mbps over powerline.

Switching subjects...for us, watching the giant telcos and cable companies in the U.S. battle it out is about as entertaining as a heavyweight title match with a bag of popcorn. Perhaps that's because, like most Americans, we're also tired of seeing the cable companies enjoy their monopoly-by-community and increase rates without any direct-line competition. So if you're like us, we highly recommend you read the USA Today article below, "FCC chief considers forcing cable TV competition." This adds an interesting spin to how the table could turn on cable companies.

Other interesting reads...

Czechs Check Out IPTV
Light Reading - August 25, 2005
"Central European operator Cesky Telecom a.s. is the latest European incumbent operator to throw its hat into the IPTV ring, as it works towards a TV-over-broadband service launch next year."

IPTV will grow 1000% by 2010
Networking Pipeline - August 23, 2005
"The report covered 50 countries and found that although there are only 2.5 million subscribers globally today, there will be 25 million subscribers by the end of 2010. Hong Kong is currently the leading market with 475,000 subscribers, but it will drop to eighth position by 2010. At that time, China is estimated to take over the lead spot with 4.9 million subscribers. The U.S. will be in second place with 3.9 million."

FIOS TV: Tantalizing, if True
Jupiter Research Analyst Weblogs - August 22, 2005
We continue to spread the rumors: "Based on a focus group, this guy reports on the order of 300 channels, 3X more HD channels than Cablevision, and, wildest of all, a DVR capable of recording 6 channels at once and doing multi-room streaming to other set tops. And all this at a price to be cheaper than cable. And a 1 September launch date in certain towns on Long Island."

Interview: Josh Goldman, CEO of Akimbo Systems
ITVT - August 23, 2005


FCC chief considers forcing cable TV competition
USA Today - August 22, 2005
"One little-noticed provision of the 1992 Cable Act could give the Federal Communications Commission the power to compel cities to let the regional Bells compete head-on with cable TV operators. And to do so quickly — no foot-dragging allowed."

"At least that's what FCC Chairman Kevin Martin thinks, and if he's right he may try to use that authority to widen broadband's reach across the USA."