Slouching Toward Broadband: Revisited in 2005 Case Solution And Analysis, HBR Case Study Solution & Analysis of Harvard Case Studies

At a time when many Americans consume things were "supersized", Internet access in the United States was decidedly sparing. Instead of using always on broadband Internet access, most Americans have access to the Web through a slow dial-up connections. More advanced Internet applications, such as web phone calls, video-on-demand webcast or music or television, have been stumbling, slow or completely impractical in nonbroadband speed. All the benefits of the Internet as a delivery channel for the consumer much oriented advanced e-commerce and entertainment applications will have to wait until broadband became widespread. Unlike the United States, many other countries have done the penetration of broadband a national priority, and their citizens were quickly becoming more wired than in the United States. What, if anything, could the existing local exchange carriers and cable companies do to help shape the future of consumer and accelerate the adoption of broadband? Is it in their best interest? Ubiquitous broadband was, of course, in the interest of companies such as Intel, Microsoft, and EarthLink. What could they do to stimulate the arrival of consumer broadband? What, if anything, if the government of the United States to make their citizens more wired? What were the forces involved in broadband in the United States and how they affect its deployment? In turn, companies and industries could influence these forces in its favor? "Hide
by Robert A. Burgelman, Les Vadasz, Philip Meza Source: Stanford Graduate School of Business 20 pages. Publication Date: January 28, 2005. Prod. #: SM137-PDF-ENG