Why Introduce DirecTV Wireless Broadband Internet Now?
DirecTV WiMAX may change the way ISPs do business. Satellite companies have long been under pressure to come up with their own Internet service plans to complete with cable operators offering “triple-play” packages. These packages offer television, phone, and Internet services for one low rate on one bill. Cable telecommunications companies cite triple-play packages as one of their most effective methods for obtaining and anchoring subscribers. With DirecTV WiMAX, DirecTV will be taking the first step toward competing directly with these cable bundled packages by offering Internet and television services on one bill. DirecTV has also been temporarily partnering with phone carriers to provide phone services. Cable Internet carriers, however, may discover that they have nothing to fear from DirecTV WiMAX. DirecTV is not yet solidly committed to a DirecTV WiMAX Internet service plan, and acknowledges that negotiations have been progressing at a slow pace. By the end of the year, however,
