IP VPN will be used to accommodate proprietary data distribution among communities of interest and e-business partners as well. Content will be delivered to TV's, set top boxes, PCs, and audio systems, initially over Ethernet via an IAS, but the hope is to eventually deliver directly using wireless technology. IP is delivering on ATM's promise of an integrated services delivery infrastructure. If you believe, as I do, that society has embraced Internet access and hungers for more than chatting, browsing, and MP3 downloads, then take a hard look at the way content is delivered over other media, and begin thinking of ways you can deliver it more conveniently or efficiently over your IP and broadband local access network. Video rental is one good example of the kind of service people are willing to buy.
Music presents another interesting opportunity.
Napster demonstrates people, especially young people, have an insatiable desire to find and listen to new music. And profitably so. And I believe this is true for an enormous range of content. It's not the content, but how innovative you can be in delivering it. David Piscitello is president of Core Competence, Inc. , a network consulting firm and founder of The Internet Security Conference .