Now that the broadband experience is reaching a milestone in bridging the gap between digital content and consumers, we all may soon be accessing our Home Gateways to maximize the experience of downloading and viewing relevant content on TV’s, PC’s, Laptop’s, DVR’s, and Mobile Devices. 

The term Residential Gateway is not new and has been used in VoIP, and DSL applications by the Telecoms. Corporations have long been using Gateways for application connections. So, it makes plenty of sense to have one (in-home device) to act as a digital storage system, server, modem, and router to connect consumers with all of the broadband related devices, and content becoming widely available from a multitude of Internet sources.

Comcast (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), Time Warner Cable (NYSE: TWC), and Cox Communications are partnering with The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA Certified device), to bring consumers a more integrated home network device to play back premium content HD/digital shows, photo slideshows, and music offerings for their customers. This Home Gateway device would work seamlessly with all consumer devices within the home to connect content to the TV.

NetGear (Nasdaqgm: NTGR), is introducing such devices at the Consumer Electronics Show with its award winning NETGEAR Stora , putting music, video, and photos at your fingertips, and the NETGEAR Wireless-N Router with DSL Modem – Mobile Broadband Edition, to connect wireless devices with content.  

Home Gateways are the next generation of devices to offer universal access and in-home-networking to speed along the delivery of broadband seamlessly within the home. Having a Broadband Pipeline which is Hybrid/Fiber/Docsis3 enabled, or a Fiber-To-the-Home connection, via your ISP to the Home Gateway will be the critical to the adoption process. This all-in-one device would be able to handle all the functions universally which are now separated like modems, Set-Top-Boxes, WIFI, routers, home networking, Blu-Ray Players, gaming, etc…

In essence, the Home Gateway will be the device that will connect families to entertainment, education, healthcare, security, communications, and a global world of information. This scenario may not be quite here yet, but the Consumer Electronics Industry and Cable-Telecom companies are certainly moving in that direction. The bottom line will be consumer costs of these devices and the deciding factor in its proliferation for a near-term broadband solution, rather than a long-term one.

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The Cable Pipeline: Top 10 Predictions for 2010

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What will 2010 bring for the Cable-Telecom-Wireless Industry’s? Broadband and Wireless will continue an evolution of defining the way we communicate and make decisions that affect our daily lives in significant ways. Relevant companies will struggle to deal with an ever increasing shift of consumer preferences in their business and home information, communication, and entertainment needs.

Here are my Top 10 Predictions for 2010:

1. The FCC will move to increase regulation of ISP’s as a way to open broadband options for both business and consumers
2. The Universal Service Fund will be re-directed to increase broadband access to the underserved
3. The FCC will gain spectrum back from the broadcasting industry to advance Wireless industry initiatives and will continue to grow exponentially in 2010
4. Consumers will look for economical and alternative ways to connect to the things that are important to them through a broadband global universe, including information, entertainment, education, and health
5. Cable TV companies will struggle with a dwindling demand for linear programming and the consumers demand for viewing content on their own terms. TV Everywhere will be a success in the short term
6. Cable-Telecom companies will continue to struggle with customer satisfaction issues and will begin to focus more on this issue as subscribers continue to migrate elsewhere. Companies like Cox Communications will continue to thrive due to a focus on quality engineering and customer service
7. Demand for access to content on an A-La-Carte basis will gain ground with Over-The –Top Access Providers making significant head-way during the year
8. Cable-Telecom companies with underperforming networks will be subject to buy-outs and take-over’s as the industry continues to consolidate and upgrade infrastructures
9. Verizon (FIOS) will continue to gain market share where rolled-out due to its advanced capabilities for consumers and businesses
10. The Cable-Telecoms will continue to make their bundles more competitively attractive as they compete for the one-stop-shopping experience

2010 will be all about the customer experience and a continued change in broadband dynamics. The Cable Industry will struggle with a diminishing demand for linear programming, and the success of alternative Over-The-Top models of content access.

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