High-speed LAN interconnection. These are all great subjects to the technologist, but are very abstract concepts to policymakers within companies and telecommunications providers. And herein lies the problem. Sure, cable has been a successful medium for delivering entertainment. The market makeup is changing, however.
Cable does have the fiber and coaxial capacity to enter lots of lucrative new business lines.
There will surely be a learning curve. It's up to you to demonstrate the strategic value of the solutions you propose, in terms which are equally clear to executives, technologists and regulatory policy makers. This new attitude also makes the ultimate win-win situation for service providers as well, because new processes are developed based on direct business input. By taking this proactive posture, you also justify your department and yourself as a strategic asset to the company, no small feat in this era of downsizing, rightsizing and capsizing. Your research will also be invaluable to policymaking individuals ultimately responsible for tomorrow's information infrastructure.