The "cable" companies are already providers of internet. In The Villages that is Comcast and Brighthouse. The "phone" company is also a provider of internet and TV. In The Villages that is CenturyLink. For all intents and purposes, TV is just another set of packets of data being sent down the coax or fiber. The "cable" companies aren't going anywhere as they are the major providers of internet to the home in this country. Cell tower based data services will probably continue to grow but it isn't clear to me that people will opt for that over coax and fiber based systems to the home. The satellite based companies (DirectTV and Dish) may survive to service areas without other infrastructure. You can already receive an amazing amount of programming through streaming boxes and I agree that more ala carte programming will become available. I have been using Roku boxes for a couple of years now.
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Originally Posted by Wavy Chips
I understand, but wanted to throw it out there conceptually. But, as more and more television content is provided over the Internet, it's only a matter of time before cable TV/dish go away and the only thing you have coming into your home is Internet. Just think if ESPN decided to provide all content over the Internet, even with a subscription, it would be a huge blow to the cable providers. I think the future is ala carte television channels provided soley through the internet. At that point, I could see residents pushing for a muni Wi-Fi system. IMO the CCD's generally provide excellent service for a very reasonable price. Why can't that include Internet.
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