Predictions
- Companies will eliminate their modem pools and use Internet service providers (ISPs)
- Exchanges will have direct interconnects to Internet (to cut out other Internet providers)
- Cellular Interworking units will have direct connections to the Internet
- Consolidation of ISPs:
- UUNET Technologies + MFS merger + AOL +ANS + CompuServer + ... = WorldCom
- Bolt Beranek and Newman (BBN) [BARRnet (Bay Area) + NEARnet (New England) - via 5,000 routers]
==> Big players - new alliances forming
- Firms will outsource management of (all) their networks.
- Most products/home/... will be managed via the network
- H.323 "telephones" replace current analog and digital handsets
- Lines charges to drop by 10x and then fall 20% per year