| <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { | | | | easily skyrocket. These types of trends in the |
| margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> | | | | market undoubtedly contribute to people's |
| For decades, television has been part of the fabric | | | | decisions to leave their providers. |
| of our daily lives in the United States. The | | | | |
| programs that we watch alone or as a family | | | | With so many people leaving their cable TV |
| often help to define our interests, and play a large | | | | providers, the competition will undoubtedly |
| role in the time we spend our days. With the | | | | increase from alternative providers such as |
| advent of internet technology though, new | | | | satellite broadband internet. Previously a market |
| information released recently has found that more | | | | outsider, its largest advantage was the ability to |
| consumers than ever before are ditching their | | | | offer access anywhere in the world. Requiring only |
| pay-TV services in favor of the internet. With so | | | | a view of the southern sky, satellite broadband |
| many people tied to TV services through their | | | | can deliver a high-speed signal without the need |
| internet providers – will this affect the satellite | | | | for wiring of any kind. It's even able to |
| internet market? Perhaps. | | | | circumvent the need for any other type of wiring |
| | | | | or contact, making it ideal for remote locations. |
| The survey discussed above was of more than | | | | |
| 6,000 users of traditional cable and satellite TV | | | | For the first time however, satellite internet may |
| services. Many of those surveyed said that they | | | | move into a position of prominence in the national |
| were planning to cut back on the TV services | | | | market, given TV subscription trends. With more |
| part of their cable or satellite utilities. Many will | | | | people looking for a way out of TV contracts |
| choose to drop only their premium channels, but | | | | – the search will be on for a competing |
| many will choose to cut off their TV services | | | | internet-only provider. Satellite internet, with an |
| altogether. One factor is certainly the amount of | | | | increased number of companies, stands ready to |
| competition, but another is of cable and satellite | | | | fill this potential market gap. Technological issues |
| TV's companies' making. | | | | such as poor latency are being resolved with new |
| | | | | equipment, as newer satellite internet systems |
| Because of increased competition, more | | | | get close to the efficiency as their land-based |
| companies are trying to keep their customers on | | | | counterparts. In addition, satellite internet |
| a shorter lease than ever before. Many | | | | broadband providers can focus on a single service. |
| companies are willing to offer "teaser" rates, or | | | | In comparison, phone company customer service |
| low introductory offers to get people interested in | | | | agents and technicians have to deal with a variety |
| service. These rates are valid for a short while, | | | | of issues across many services. Cable providers |
| then the rate reverts to a non-promotional | | | | have some of the same issues – while satellite |
| increased price. In addition, without a qualifying | | | | providers can focus on only one thing: keeping |
| service package, the price of internet access can | | | | their customers online. |